A couple years ago, Brad Robins had something happen to him that thousands of other pickleball players have experienced.

During a fast exchange at the net, the ball deflected off of his partner’s paddle directly into Robins’ eye.

Until that moment, he hadn’t really considered the hidden risk inherent in pickleball – a risk that has only become more of an issue in recent years as paddles have become more powerful and the speed of the game has increased.

On the drive home that day, Robins and his partner wondered why nothing was being done to educate players on the danger to such an important part of our daily lives – our vision.

“We immediately started developing Kitchen Blockers, because we all love pickleball, but I also wanted people to be safe,” Robins said. “So we made a product that allows people to protect themselves, feel more confident on the court and not jeopardize their most precious gift, which is their sight.”

PLAY SAFE

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Safety and durability go hand-in-hand

Robins had a friend who was an engineer with a background in sports and military equipment, so the two put their heads together to come up with a prototype that would work for pickleball.

Robins didn’t like wearing traditional safety glasses because of several issues that are familiar to anybody who has ever worn glasses while playing sports – they fog up, sweat drips onto the lenses, they get scratched, they create a glare and distortion, etc. So they developed a lenseless option that gave players the benefit of safety without all the other drawbacks.

“Mainly at first it was just for our friends to check out and say, ‘Hey, don’t be an idiot,’” Robins said. “We’re all playing this game and having fun, but let’s also be smart and protect our eyes.”

True to the military inspiration, Kitchen Blockers put durability and function first. They are made from high-quality materials and tested using a ball cannon firing a pickleball at 60 mph.

Kitchen Blockers safety glasses specs.

KITCHEN BLOCKERS FEATURES

  • Neoprene safety pads for soft, cushioned contact.
  • Adjustable arms for a snug, secure fit.
  • “Speedbumps Technology” to help with impact deflection.
  • Adjustable nosepiece for custom comfort.
  • Lensless design with no obstruction to peripheral vision.
  • Come in standard fit or slim fit for players with smaller heads.

After gaining some initial traction in Canada (where Robins is from), he used his marketing and advertising background to get the product in front of a broader audience. Several pro players have used them, including Zane Ford and Genie Bouchard, and Kitchen Blockers are now sold all over the world. Robins said he’s also seeing more and more clubs carrying them in pro shops, which has multiple benefits for the club: It’s another piece of equipment they can sell, but it’s also making their facility a safer place to be.

Kitchen Blockers has also partnered with USA Pickleball, DUPR and the Junior PPA to spread awareness about eye safety.

“I believe eyewear will eventually be mandated and should be mandated, and we’re trying to increase awareness and make it the norm,” Robins said. “We think that’s what will be best for the game long-term.”

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Changing the face of pickleball

If you’ve ever seen somebody wearing Kitchen Blockers at your local courts, you know they’re easy to spot. That’s intentional, Robins said.

Many players love their gear as much as the game itself – backpacks, shoes, paddles, apparel, headwear, etc. – so he wanted to make Kitchen Blockers a piece of equipment that players were excited to put on.

Kitchen Blockers are currently available in seven colors, and Robins has also made custom colors for international teams as well as several college teams. They have not only become a statement about taking safety seriously, but a fashion statement as well

“A lot of our growth has been from people seeing other players wearing them and saying, “Hey, I need to check these out,’” Robins said. “We know people take their gear seriously, and this is a serious piece of sports equipment. We think we have the best option for lenseless safety eyewear in pickleball. And if we can get more people prioritizing safety, that’s our main goal. Your eyes are the prize – it’s as simple as that.”