Buying
Which one should I get?
If you want to start playing this weekend, get the Backyard Kit (A$69) — two paddles, four outdoor balls and a bag, which is everything two people need. If you've already played and the wood paddle is starting to annoy you, add a Sidekick (A$79). If you want a real net in the driveway, that's the Full Court (A$369).
I've never played. Is this too much gear?
No — it's the opposite. Buying pickleball gear piece by piece is where beginners get stuck, because you don't yet know what a good paddle feels like. A complete kit removes that decision entirely. The rules take about a minute to learn and most people are rallying within ten.
What's the difference between the kit paddles and the Sidekick?
The Backyard Kit paddles have a poplar wood face. They're heavier and a bit less forgiving, and that's fine — they're for learning on, and for the mate who turns up empty-handed. The Sidekick has a carbon face with a polymer honeycomb core: lighter, quieter, much bigger sweet spot. Most people start with the kit and add a Sidekick once they're hooked.
What about a A$300 paddle?
Honestly? At a competitive level, quite a bit of difference. For social play in your driveway, almost nothing you'd notice. If you get seriously into the sport you'll eventually want a specialist paddle, and that's fine. Most people never do.
Space and setup
How much space do I actually need?
A full regulation court is 13.4m long and 6.1m wide. A standard double driveway or a decent back lawn usually fits it. If yours doesn't, play a half court — plenty of home games are played that way and it's still a proper game.
What surfaces does it work on?
Concrete, bitumen, hard court and short grass. Concrete and bitumen give the truest bounce. Long grass kills the ball, so mow first.
Do I need a net?
Not to start. Plenty of people play driveway pickleball with no net at all, or with a rope, and it works fine for rallying and casual games. When you want the real thing, the Full Court is a freestanding portable net — about 6.7m wide, up in roughly five minutes, packs back into its own bag.
Do you sell court line markers?
Not yet, and we won't pretend otherwise. We're still sourcing a line marker set we can actually ship to Australia. When we have one, it'll be on the site. Until then, chalk works on concrete and a garden hose works on grass.
Delivery
How long does delivery take?
10–16 business days, tracked, to every Australian postcode. We'd rather tell you that plainly than promise three days and let you down.
Why so long?
Because we make our gear overseas and ship it direct to you instead of holding stock in an Australian warehouse. That's the entire reason a complete kit is A$69 rather than A$150. It's a real trade-off and you should know about it before you buy, not after.
I need it for a specific date.
Order at least three weeks ahead. If it's tighter than that, email us before you order and we'll tell you honestly whether it'll make it.
My tracking hasn't updated.
Tracking usually takes 2–4 business days to start moving after you order. That's normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong. If it's been more than 25 business days with no delivery, email us and we'll resend or refund.
Do you ship outside Australia?
Not right now. Australia only.
Returns and problems
What if I change my mind?
You have 30 days from delivery. The gear needs to be unused and in its original packaging, and return postage is at your cost. Email us first and we'll send the address.
What if something arrives faulty or damaged?
That one's on us. Send a photo to hello@paddleroo.com within 30 days and we'll replace it or refund you in full, postage included. Don't send anything back until you've heard from us — often we won't need you to.
What are my rights?
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You're entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure, and to compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. Full detail on our Returns & Refunds page.
About us
Are you Australian?
Paddleroo is Australian owned and we support Australian customers. Our gear is manufactured overseas — like almost all pickleball equipment sold here — so we don't claim to be Australian made, because we're not.
Is there a phone number?
Not yet. We're small, and we'd rather answer every email properly than have a phone nobody picks up. hello@paddleroo.com — a person reads it, usually within a business day.
Where can I play with other people?
The Pickleball Australia Association has clubs in every state and most run beginner sessions. They're famously welcoming and turning up on your own is completely normal.