Outdoor sports have always been a passion for Hugh Davis, founder of Revolin. So, it was a desire to preserve the natural world for generations to come that largely drove the vision for his sustainable pickleball paddles.
“Growing up, I did a lot of activities outdoors. I went skiing, scuba diving, and surfing, and hung out in the woods. So, I really enjoyed the physical, natural world. And I thought, if we keep building more and more and more things, and we don’t think a little bit more about how they’re built and how we get rid of them at the end, then my kids or their kids might not be able to enjoy those things. The ski season’s getting shorter, and the scuba reefs are getting destroyed by pollution. So, by creating products that were more thoughtfully designed and disposed of, I hope that I can make a small impact and maybe show other people and other companies how to reduce their impact, so that we can all enjoy the sports that we love, the games that we love to play, the world that we love to explore.” —Hugh Davis
Thus, Revolin Sports, named for its patented revolutionary linens such as flax, hemp, and volcanic fibers, was born. Flax, hemp, and volcanic linens absorb greenhouse gases; they’re biodegradable and sometimes also recyclable. However, the construction of the paddles is just the tip of the iceberg of Revolin’s sustainability mission.
All of Revolin’s paddles are primarily made in the United States, which Hugh explained reduces shipping emissions. The company has materials sourced from Michigan, Connecticut, Colorado, and Minnesota. Revolin paddles are also fully manufactured and assembled here in West Michigan. Paddles are cut and printed in Zeeland and then brought to the headquarters on Douglas Ave. in Holland for final assembly.
As a company, Revolin also lives out its sustainability-minded mission by planting trees (the team has planted over 4,000 for various initiatives) and conducting local trash pickups. Also, discarded paddles are repaired and donated through the New Life Program. This program alone has prevented over 600 paddles from ending up in a landfill.
Of course, a great paddle is not just sustainable; it must also perform. Performance, Hugh explained, is always the main focus. “The cherry on top is making things more sustainable.”
Five years ago, when Revolin launched its first paddle, the company hoped to test the market with a solid, intermediate-level paddle. From there, Hugh and his team have listened to feedback and created a “good, better, best” lineup of paddles. “Some people want a lot of power. Some people want a lot of control. Some people just want a great paddle at a great price; they’re just getting started, and they want something that looks cool and represents them,” Hugh explained.
The “best” paddle will feature the most cutting-edge technology. It will maximize spin or power depending on the player’s needs or goals; it will feature a large sweet spot and come with a more premium price tag. Revolin’s newest paddle, the Torch Paddle, uses lava flex 2.0 material and has the exact limit of allowable power and spin. This paddle was created based on player feedback as the game advanced.
The Rise Paddle, on the other hand, was created based on feedback from customers looking for a more sustainable and affordable paddle. Hugh said this paddle is often given as a gift. It’s family-friendly and comes in multiple colors. With a huge sweet spot, this paddle is perfect for beginner and intermediate players.
In order for a paddle to perform well, it must fit the needs of the player. This is something Revolin understands well. When shopping for paddles, you’ll notice various shapes and sizes. An elongated paddle is a great choice for a tennis player transitioning to pickleball. Or a paddle with a long handle is a perfect option for someone who likes to experiment with a two-handed backhand.
Whether selecting a premium paddle or opting for a beginner-friendly paddle, rest assured that each one of Revolin’s paddles is proven to perform well. Before hitting the market, each prototype has up to fifty players testing its performance. The paddles are shipped all over the country for testing to ensure peak performance, regardless of the climate. Hugh specifically mentioned Florida and Oregon as go-to testing locations outside of Michigan.
Revolin paddles are also lab tested to ensure proper durability, face impact, and consistent power return. Every paddle must also go through USAPA (USA Pickleball Approved) testing to ensure it is not too spinny, big, or shiny. All of Revolin’s paddles are USA Pickleball approved.
For the majority of the Revolin team, Holland is home. “We’re so grateful for this community. They’ve given so much to us,” Hugh said, referencing Revolin’s involvement in the Lakeshore Advantage SURGE program. Hugh is also grateful for all the free parks that Holland has to offer, which make playing pickleball so accessible: Moran Park, Winstrom Park, Beechwood Park, and the new airport courts off Ottawa Beach Road, to name a few. He also mentioned the Holland Community Center, which offers access to its indoor courts for only five dollars.
As a way of giving back to the community that has given the team so much, Revolin regularly donates paddles to schools and churches. All of the West Ottawa Elementary Schools have received Revolin paddles—over 100 in total. The team hopes to one day do the same for the middle and high schools. Revolin has also donated raffle packages that raise money for the Holland Rotary and The Boys and Girls Club.
Of all Hugh Davis has accomplished with Revolin, he says he’s most proud “of the team that we’ve built.” Todd (Growth Officer), Rod (COO), and Helen (Head of Marketing) are all really experienced individuals who have been a part of Revolin from the beginning. All three have had experience working for Fortune 500 companies, but later in their careers decided to invest their time and skills into Hugh’s pickleball startup.
Aiden, Hugh adds, is an engineer from Hope College who is also one of the best pickleball players in the state. He feels privileged that Aiden chose to work for Revolin. Greta, Hugh’s sister, is a University of Michigan engineer, studying materials science and mechanical engineering. “She could work anywhere she wanted, and she wants to work at Revolin, and is doing amazing stuff, really thinking about how to make every product better for players, better for the planet,” Hugh gushed, his gratitude for each member of his team evident.
What’s next for Revolin? Hugh says that he hopes to bring the patented materials to other products. The team is looking into snowboard, ski, and stand-up paddleboard companies to partner with. The goal is to bring their technology and materials into these sports by offering undeniable benefits in durability, vibration-dampening, and comfort.
They’re also considering partnering with office furniture companies, boat building companies, and even automotive companies “to see where we can help replace plastics and fiberglass and even carbon fiber with some of their materials for the same performance benefits.”
When asked if he had any advice for entrepreneurs, Hugh said: “Find a cofounder or a partner, or a really good advisor at a minimum. The world of entrepreneurship is so up and down… so when you’ve got someone in the trenches with you, that understands it and feels it, the highs can be even higher, and the lows can be a lot less low.” He stressed the importance of a sound, reliable team.
He also advised against dividing company ownership in equal parts. “Don’t go 50/50,” Hugh said. “When you’re in the heat of it, someone’s got to have the final say, the final ability to make the decision, because you’ve got to move quickly. So, 51/49, 60/40, something like that is going to be better long term rather than a 50/50 split.”
Hugh encourages locals to come check out Revolin Sports, located at 355 Douglas Avenue in Holland. He shared that they have a free demo program. Those interested can demo a paddle for 10 days at no cost.
Ultimately, Hugh shared, “supporting Revolin is supporting the local community and supporting the world in a larger way. And you’re getting a really dope paddle” while you’re at it.
Jade Havenaar is a Holland native and a life-long lover of the lake, coffee, and a good book. She’s a former middle school teacher and a published author. After marrying the boy she met in a bar and traveling the US together, she and her husband welcomed their first born and Jade happily added “boy mom” to the list of hats she wears. When she’s not writing or changing diapers, she’s probably out adventuring with her Golden Retriever, Henry.
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