Selkirk
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta
Selkirk's power flagship. Tyson McGuffin's signature line, designed for tennis-convert bangers. Big plate, big power, big sweet spot for an elongated shape.
Overall score
Research reviewSpecs
- Weight
- 8.0 oz
- Shape
- Elongated
- Core
- X5 polymer
- Thickness
- 13 mm
- Surface
- Raw T700 carbon
- Grip size
- 4 1/4"
Score breakdown
v4 · 6 axes- Control7/10
- Value8/10
- Comfort8/10
- Spin8/10
- Power9/10
- Durability7/10
What we like
- Genuine elite-level power, drives feel effortless
- Edge-foam (Air series) construction adds sweet-spot consistency
- Selkirk warranty network is the most reliable in the industry
Where it falls short
- Edge guard wear is a known issue, replace within 12–18 months of heavy play
- Top-tier price for top-tier specs, not for beginners
- Power-bias means control suffers vs. Vanguard Control or SLK Halo
Full review
What it is
Selkirk's Tyson McGuffin signature power paddle, the headline of the Vanguard Air series. Elongated shape, 13mm X5 polymer core, raw T700 carbon face, and Selkirk's Air construction (edge foam injected into the perimeter) to expand the sweet spot on a thin power paddle. This is the paddle that put Selkirk on the pro power map and the one McGuffin made famous by breaking one over his knee at a Takeya Showcase final.
How it plays
The power number (8.6) is the headline, but the more interesting score is the comfort (8.3) given how thin the 13mm core is. The Air construction does the work there, smoothing off-center hits that would feel harsh on a non-foam thin paddle. Control grades at 6.6 in the data, which is exactly where you would expect for a paddle tuned to drives.
Owners consistently describe it as effortless drive power once you weight it properly. Most are running lead tape from day one to stabilize the head and add swing weight. There is a notable user pattern of players cycling away from the Power Air to a Six Zero DBD or similar mid-power paddle once they realize they want more placement, not more raw drive.
Build and specs
8.0 oz stock, 4 1/4'' grip, 13mm X5 core, elongated shape, raw T700 face. The Air foam edge is the build differentiator. Durability lands at 7, with edge guard wear being the most common owner complaint after a year of heavy play. Selkirk's warranty network is the most reliable in the industry, which materially matters if something delaminates or the edge fails.
Where it fits
This is an advanced-skill, tournament-leaning paddle. The price (HK$1,900 to HK$2,300 landed) is firmly premium tier, and the elongated shape combined with thin core means it punishes sloppy fundamentals. If you are still working on consistent kitchen contact, the Vanguard Control Invikta or the Luxx Control Air will be more forgiving. If you are a tennis convert with a heavy drive game who wants pro-tier validation on your paddle, this is the obvious pick.
For HK buyers, the import wait is real (Tier 3 availability), and edge guard replacement parts need to be sourced from Selkirk US.
Bottom line
A bangers' paddle that earns its reputation but isn't for everyone. Pick it if you are tennis-converted, advanced, and want elite drive power. Skip it if you are sub-4.0 or value control over raw pop. The Vanguard Control Invikta is the same build philosophy with a control bias for HK$0 to HK$200 more, which is often the better buy.
What players are saying
Player feedback curated from active pickleball communities, ranked by how many other players agreed. No cherry-picking.
Tyson McGuffin Breaks His Selkirk Power Air Invikta Over His Leg In Frustration during Takeya Showcase Gold Medal Match. Linked at 5:27:34
Maybe add the Selkirk Power Air invikta to your list. You'll probably have to play with lead tape to weight it up a bit. These are all going to feel a bit different to you. One local got three of them as demos. He liked one while his friend picked a different one. It all depends on how it feels to you.
I thought the same thing. The Power Air Invikta is so different from the Tempest Wave Reign she had before so we'll see if it changes her game at all. Definitely more fire power in the Air Invikta.
I made the exact switch from a Selkirk power air invikta to the SixZero DBD and my placement/control improved significantly with minimal loss of power. I highly recommend the DBD
Buying it in Hong Kong
Imports to Hong Kong via Amazon. Expect 1–3 weeks shipping. Total landed cost usually HK$1,900–2,300 including duty.
Check current price at Amazon →Final verdict
Score: 76/100 · Situational
Selkirk's power flagship. Tyson McGuffin's signature line, designed for tennis-convert bangers. Big plate, big power, big sweet spot for an elongated shape.
If this isn't quite right
Try one of these instead.
Cheaper alternative
11SIX24
$$11SIX24 Vapor Power
The rising-star intermediate paddle. 11SIX24's Vapor line is what you graduate to from a Vatic Prism Flash when you want more pop without paying JOOLA tax. Growing fanbase for good reason — and currently 41% off as the brand clears the older Gen 3 lineup behind the Vapor Power 2.
More control
Selkirk
$$$Selkirk Luxx Control Air Invikta
Selkirk's control flagship. The most-recommended premium control paddle of 2025-2026 across pro and rec circles. Plush, precise, and the spin numbers are elite for a control-bias paddle.
Some links on DinkStart are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our picks or rankings. Read the full disclosure.