Skip to content
Join Pickleball’s Greatest Community
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter to be the most well-informed pickleball fan on the court, featuring news, giveaways, and much more!

Proton releases new shapes, thicknesses of popular Project Flamingo paddle

Alex Lantz
Director of Content

Last Edited

Nov 07 2025

Category

Gear

Proton this week released a new widebody shape and multiple thicknesses of its popular Project Flamingo pickleball paddle.

Both the new widebody version and the original elongated version now come in 13mm and 15mm thickness options. The 13mm model offers more pop and maneuverability at the kitchen line, compared to the more plush-feeling 15mm model.

Proton says the widebody version offers more forgiveness while still generating top-tier spin and power. It features the same "Velocity Core" that made the original Project Flamingo a popular choice among pros and high-level amateurs and earned the paddle a reputation as one of the most aggressive on the market.

Proton was also able to reduce both the static weight and the swingweight with the new widebody models.

Shop the new Project Flamingo models

13mm Square
15mm Square
13mm Elongated
15mm Elongated

Use code "Kitchen" at checkout to receive 10% off

"Our new widebody Flamingo is that shape for a reason," said Charles Darling, Founder and President of Proton. "After many months of R&D and testing multiple different shapes, this shape is the one that delivered the most power, largest sweet spot and best dwell time. Our testing data from USA Pickleball and the United Pickleball Association confirms that we've pushed the limits for power and spin. I'm so proud of how these turned out."

The widebody model has already been adopted by several PPA Tour pros, including Proton sponsored player Meghan Dizon and several unsigned pros, including Callie Smith this week at the Pickleball World Championships this week in Dallas.

Dizon has been using the widebody model for about two weeks.

"I knew right away after playing with it that this was going to be my new paddle for competitive play," Dizon said. "I've been getting more power with my drives and more consistency at the net with this version."

Expert review: Proton Flamingo delivers top-tier performance for the modern game

Project Flamingo specs

13mm Square
Average weight: 7.8 ounces
Length: 15.75 inches
Width: 8.25 inches
Handle length: 5.375 inches

15mm Square
Average weight: 7. 9 ounces
Lenght: 15.75 inches
Width: 8.25 inches
Handle length: 5.375 inches

13mm Elongated
Average weight: 7.9 ounces
Length: 16.5 inches
Width: 7.5 inches
Handle length: 5.375 inches

15mm Elongated
Average weight: 8.0 ounces
Length: 16.5 inches
Width: 7.5 inches
Handle length: 5.375 inches

Join Pickleball’s Greatest Community

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter to be the most well-informed pickleball fan on the court, featuring news, giveaways, and much more!

Pickleball’s Leading Voice

The Kitchen was created to provide a place where pickleball players and enthusiasts could congregate. What started out as
a passion project has turned into the largest and most passionate group of pickleballers in the world. 
The Kitchen Newsletter Arrow Right Icon