“I studied engineering in London, and as part of my program, I did a lot of work with natural materials like bamboo and cork,” explained Tinkler-Davies. “When I was at university, we actually made the world’s first bamboo cricket bat, so that was a part of my background. Then, I moved to New York about three years ago and people in my building were playing pickleball. And eventually, I started playing too.”

Tinkler-Davies was immediately intrigued by the carbon fiber and foam core paddles dominating play. That curiosity soon turned into hands-on experimentation, eventually leading him to design and build his own paddles.

“We’ve spent about two years designing paddles with different materials to see what works best,” he said. “Eventually, we settled on bamboo and cork.”

The result was The Swift—the first paddle crafted from those specific materials.

While bamboo and cork may seem unconventional in the world of pickleball paddles, Tinkler-Davies and the team at Kinova believe these materials represent the next step in the evolution of paddle technology. 

“Pickleball paddles started as a plank of wood, but materials, engineering, and science has moved on so far from that,” noted Tinkler-Davies. “A big thing for me is that these materials are more sustainable. The bamboo surface is like the carbon fiber paddle faces. Since they’re bamboo, it’s a natural material, so it’s more durable. The cork in the middle is equivalent to the foam cores, and that’s what gives it the power.”

Using more sustainable materials doesn’t mean sacrificing performance—players can still expect a high-level feel and playability.

“For us, sustainability and performance shouldn’t be a trade-off,” mentioned Tinkler Davies. “The goal is to create equipment players choose first because of how it performs with the materials and methods behind it making that choice even better.” 

So how does The Swift play? 

“Our paddles have a bigger sweet spot, so it’s more accommodating for those shots where you don’t quite get it right. It’s also more powerful than some of the carbon fiber ones out there,” he said. “Also, the dwell time is quite high because the bamboo surface is a bit sticky, so you have control and a lot of power. It’s a slight change in your game style, but I think for most players it’s a good upgrade.”

According to Kinova’s research, The Swift features a sweet spot that delivers 7% more power with 4% greater consistency across the face. Its cork core also provides natural vibration dampening, and the increased dwell time helps minimize impact and reduce strain on players.

“We say it’s a good paddle all around. Of course, everyone who makes a paddle is going to say it’s quite good, but I think we’ve made something that’s really unique,” he praised. “There’s a lot of options out there with carbon fiber and foam, and it’s fun to bring something different to the market.”

With the debut of The Swift, Kinova is now pursuing certification while already working on its next generation of paddles. Tinkler-Davies has also been keeping a close eye on the pro game, with the goal of eventually placing a Kinova paddle in the hands of a player who shares the brand’s vision.

Could the world’s first bamboo and cork pickleball paddle signal a shift toward a more sustainable future for the sport? It just might.

Shop Kinova Sports and experience the innovative paddle for yourself. And to keep up to date on all things pickleball, follow us on Instagram.