Vatic Pro Saga Bloom 14mm In Action | Edited Gameplay

This video is all about showcasing the hits, serves, and returns using the Vatic Pro Saga Bloom 14mm paddle. I’ve edited it to highlight the paddle’s performance throughout the games. I'm the player with the light blue shirt and glasses. 

  If you're thinking of picking up a Vatic Pro paddle, you can use my code JONATHANTORRES at checkout or click the link below for a discount: 

  https://tinyurl.com/vaticpropb (add the paddle to the cart first in order to have the discount applied automatically or manually enter the coupon code at checkout) 

These are, hands down, the best paddles for the price—at the time of this video they’re **$129.99** before the discount, and their performance easily competes with paddles that cost much more. Right now, this is one of my main paddles, alongside the Saga Flash 16mm. 

After playing some games with the crew, I’m loving the power this paddle brings on serves. Out of all the Vatic paddles I’ve tried, the resets and power stood out the most for me. Dinks were solid, too, though I did have to soften up my touch a bit. But when it comes to volleys, serves, and returns, this thing really shines. It's definitely a paddle I’d recommend. 

Keep in mind—we’re still working on our game, and some of the players in this video are newer to the sport and just got out of work. But like a lot of folks around here, we’re hooked on pickleball. 

I am a Vatic Pro ambassador, which means they offered me a discount on the Saga Bloom and Saga Flash paddles, and I get to showcase the paddle on my platform. That said, all opinions shared here are completely my own, and I did not get paid to do this video. 

 This video is a display of how the paddle plays and all comments here are my honest take as a rec advanced beginner player who's still growing in the sport. 

 If you're in Connecticut and want to try one out, feel free to hit me up! 

 #vaticpro #vaticpropickleball #vaticprobloom #sagabloom #sagabloom14mm #pickleballgame #pickleballgear

Personal Review: The New Vatic Pro Saga Bloom 14mm Paddle!!!

I had the chance to use the Saga Bloom 14mm paddle during a recent meetup with some friends, and I wanted to share my first impressions.

Power & Serves:
Right away, I noticed the power this paddle has—definitely more than the Saga Flash 16mm, in my opinion. I actually had to dial it back a bit so I wouldn’t overshoot the service box. That added power can be a big plus for players who struggle to generate pace on their serve. Personally, I can usually generate power on my own, but having the option to conserve energy and still get strong serves is a nice bonus.

Touch & Dinks:
It took me a little time to adjust to the feel on dinks, but that’s more because I’m coming from the Saga Flash 16mm, which is a very different paddle. Once I settled in, I found it solid. The paddle offers good touch and control, though it has a bit more pop than what I’m used to. I was cautious at first, and that led to some short dinks into the net, but again—that was on me, not the paddle.

Handle & Feel:
I personally prefer the shorter handle on the Flash and V7 models, but the Bloom’s handle still felt good in hand. I experienced little to no vibration, likely due to the widebody shape helping absorb impact. It gave me fast hands at the kitchen and great response during hand battles.

Weight & Balance:
I played with the paddle unweighted, and it felt very light and balanced—not top-heavy like the Saga Flash 16mm can be. I may consider adding a bit of lead tape to the sides for more stability and a larger sweet spot, but even stock, it performed really well.

Performance Highlights:
One thing I really liked was how well it handled drops. The ball traveled cleanly over the net with good consistency. The paddle had enough touch for resets, though if you’re overly cautious with its power like I was, you might leave some balls short early on.

Recommendation:
This paddle is excellent right out of the bag. I can see why the 14mm version sold out over the weekend (they’re back in stock now). I’d recommend it for players who enjoy widebody paddles, appreciate a slightly longer handle, want a generous sweet spot, and prefer a lighter paddle overall.

I’ll definitely be keeping this one in my bag alongside my Saga Flash 16mm. My closest comparison to this paddle would be the Prism Bloom 16mm, which I also enjoy for its plush, high-end feel during dinks, volleys, and swings.

I wouldn’t recommend the Saga Bloom 14mm for absolute beginners, but for advanced beginners or intermediate players—especially those who lack power and have soft hands for resets—it’s a fantastic option.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below. Don’t forget to check out my recent YouTube quick review of the paddle!

Disclosure:
I am a Vatic Pro ambassador, but this review is entirely my own. I was not paid for this, though I did receive a discount and still paid over $100 plus tax for the paddle. If you’re in the market for a high-quality, widebody paddle at a great price, head over to the Vatic Pro website and use my name JONATHANTORRES for a discount at checkout.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review—looking forward to more dinks, volleys, and serves.
Zero Zero Start!

How to Add an Overgrip to Your Pickleball Paddle

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How to Add an Overgrip to Your Pickleball Paddle

If you've been playing pickleball for a while, you know how important grip can be—especially during long matches or in warmer weather. Adding an overgrip to your paddle is a simple and affordable way to improve comfort, absorb sweat, and give you better control on the court.

In this quick video, I walk you through exactly how to install an overgrip on your pickleball paddle. Whether you're new to using overgrips or just need a refresher, this step-by-step guide will have you wrapping like a pro in no time.

Check out the video below and let me know in the comments what your favorite overgrip brand is or if you have any tips of your own!

Watch the tutorial:

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The Gamma Pickleball overgrip is my go to grip right now.

Great Rally by Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson - Womens Championship at the Veolia North Carolina Open

 

Budget Pickleball Paddles with Power

 If you're in the market for budget-friendly pickleball paddles that deliver impressive power, the following options stand out based on their features, performance, and tested speed measurements.

Vatic Pro Saga V7 SH – 56.6 MPH

The Saga V7 SH is designed for players seeking a balance between power and control. Its elongated shape and 16mm thickness provide a larger sweet spot, enhancing shot precision. The paddle's carbon fiber surface ensures durability and consistent performance, making it a solid choice for aggressive players aiming for powerful drives.

Vatic Pro Saga Flash SH – 56.8 MPH

The Saga Flash SH offers a hybrid shape with a 16mm core, catering to players who prioritize control without sacrificing power. Its textured carbon fiber surface enhances spin potential, while the head-heavy design contributes to stability during aggressive shots. This paddle is ideal for those who engage in fast-paced exchanges at the net.

11SIX24 Hurache-X Power – 56.3 MPH

The Hurache-X Power is engineered for players seeking exceptional power. Its advanced construction features a floating polypropylene honeycomb core surrounded by closed-cell EVA foam, creating a responsive feel and expanded sweet spot. The reinforced edge technology enhances stability, allowing for confident, aggressive play.

11SIX24 Vapor Power – 56.0 MPH

The Vapor Power paddle combines a 16mm core with a carbon fiber surface, offering a blend of power and control. Its design caters to players who desire a responsive paddle capable of delivering forceful shots without compromising touch and finesse.

When selecting a paddle, consider factors such as weight, grip size, and balance to ensure it complements your playing style. Testing different paddles can provide valuable insights into which model best enhances your performance on the court.

Note: All power and speed test data referenced in this post come from Pickleball Effect’s online database. For more pickleball news, reviews, products, and insights, be sure to visit PickleballEffect.com.

Vatic Pro Prism Flash 14 mm in Action

 Quick ralley/round in a pickleball using the Vatic Pro Prism Flash 14 mm

 Im the one in the light blue tshirt close to the camera. 

"Clutch Round Save with the Vatic Pro Prism Bloom – Left My Teammate Stunned!"

Having a great time with friends at Club Pickleball in Meriden, CT, where I left my teammate stunned with this save!

Right now, my go-to paddle is the Prism Bloom by Vatic Pro.

Check out the clip below

Left My Teammate Stunned with Save!

How to Use Scoreholio for Your Pickleball Game with Friends

 One way I’ve been getting our local circle of 8-12 friends excited about pickleball—though it’s already exciting enough—is by tracking each player’s points per game using a round-robin format.

At first, I considered using pen and paper, but that quickly proved inefficient. Knowing from my experience playing cornhole that Scoreholio is a great tool for tracking stats, I decided it was the way to go.  Since we have 8 to 10 players and two courts, I wanted to ensure that everyone rotates partners and teams after each round.

If you’re looking for a simple leaderboard to track wins and total points after 8 games, follow these instructions below.

 

To ensure Scoreholio assigns all available courts and keeps people playing during a Round Robin Switcholio, follow these steps:

 

 1. Check Your Court Assignments

• Go to Tournament Settings > Court Assignments
• Ensure all courts are enabled for play.
• Set a proper Max Courts value to match your available courts.

2. Adjust Game Flow Settings

• Navigate to Settings > Game Flow
• Enable "Auto Start Next Round" to minimize downtime.
• Disable "Hold Off on Starting Games Until All Are Ready" (if enabled) to let games start as soon as courts are available.

3. Optimize Switcholio Team Generation

• In Settings > Game Format > Switcholio, choose:
  • Balanced or Random team generation (avoiding skill-based delays if ranking isn’t available).
  • Maximize Players Per Round to prioritize getting as many people playing as possible.

4. Ensure a Playable Number of Players

• Switcholio works best with numbers that allow full court usage (multiples of 4).
• If you have an odd number of players, consider adding a "ghost" player to keep matchups even.

5. Check Your Round Count

• Set the appropriate number of rounds so that players rotate through enough matches.
• If players are sitting too often, increase the number of rounds or courts to improve participation.

6. Manually Assign Courts (if needed)

• If courts remain unassigned, manually tap an unassigned match and force-assign it to an open court.

 Let me know if you have found this article helpful.