{
  "id": "franklin-c45-aurelius",
  "url": "https://pointcast.xyz/paddles/franklin-c45-aurelius",
  "brand": "Franklin",
  "model": "C45 Aurelius",
  "year": 2026,
  "launch": {
    "date": "2026-01-16",
    "precision": "day",
    "label": "Jan 16 preorder · ships Mar 1"
  },
  "lifecycle": "current",
  "listPriceUsd": 229.99,
  "listPriceLabel": null,
  "build": "hybrid",
  "buildLabel": "Honeycomb + foam (Gen 3)",
  "thickness": "12.7 / 14 / 16mm",
  "shapes": "Custom Aurelius shape",
  "pro": "Anna Leigh Waters",
  "summary": "The signing of the year gets a signature paddle. Extremely fast, spinny and controlled, short on free power. Built for 4.0+ hands players. The 12.7mm is Waters' own spec.",
  "construction": "Double-thermoformed unibody, T700 carbon laid at 45 degrees, PowerFlex polypropylene core with an inner foam layer.",
  "core": {
    "layers": [
      "PowerFlex polymer honeycomb core with an inner foam layer",
      "double-thermoformed unibody frame"
    ],
    "face": "T700 carbon fiber peel-ply texture laid at 45 degrees",
    "edge": "",
    "source": "https://pickleballcentral.com/franklin-c45-anna-leigh-waters-aurelius-alw-carbon-fiber-pickleball-paddle/"
  },
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "C45 Aurelius 12.7mm",
      "shape": "standard",
      "lengthIn": 15.7,
      "widthIn": 7.9,
      "handleIn": 5.1,
      "thicknessMm": 12.7,
      "weightOz": "7.2-7.7",
      "sw": 92.3,
      "tw": 5.41,
      "specSource": "https://pickleballstudio.com/reviews/franklin-aurelius-first-impressions"
    },
    {
      "name": "C45 Aurelius 14mm",
      "shape": "standard",
      "lengthIn": 15.7,
      "widthIn": 7.9,
      "handleIn": 5.1,
      "thicknessMm": 14,
      "weightOz": "7.5-8.0",
      "sw": null,
      "tw": null,
      "specSource": "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/anna-leigh-waters-signature-franklin-paddle-the-aurelius-is-approved-for-pro-play/"
    },
    {
      "name": "C45 Aurelius 16mm",
      "shape": "standard",
      "lengthIn": 15.7,
      "widthIn": 7.9,
      "handleIn": 5.1,
      "thicknessMm": 16,
      "weightOz": "7.6-8.0",
      "sw": null,
      "tw": null,
      "specSource": "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/anna-leigh-waters-signature-franklin-paddle-the-aurelius-is-approved-for-pro-play/"
    }
  ],
  "status": {
    "usap": "yes",
    "usapSource": "https://pickleballcentral.com/franklin-c45-anna-leigh-waters-aurelius-alw-carbon-fiber-pickleball-paddle/",
    "upaa": "yes",
    "upaaSource": "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/anna-leigh-waters-signature-franklin-paddle-the-aurelius-is-approved-for-pro-play/",
    "quiet": false,
    "patent": "named-joola-holdout",
    "investigation": null,
    "lifecycle": "current"
  },
  "certNote": "UPA-A approved Feb 6. USAP approval followed on Mar 5.",
  "timeline": [
    {
      "date": "2026-01-08",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "teaser",
      "text": "Franklin announced its long-term deal with Anna Leigh Waters, showing the unreleased C45 Aurelius.",
      "source": "https://pickleballrookie.com/anna-leigh-waters-gets-quick-approval-of-franklin-aurelius-paddle"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-01-16",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "preorder",
      "text": "Aurelius pre-orders opened in 12.7mm, 14mm and 16mm.",
      "source": "https://pickleballrookie.com/anna-leigh-waters-gets-quick-approval-of-franklin-aurelius-paddle"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-02-06",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "approval",
      "text": "The Aurelius received UPA-A certification, clearing it for pro play; USA Pickleball certification was still outstanding.",
      "source": "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/anna-leigh-waters-signature-franklin-paddle-the-aurelius-is-approved-for-pro-play/"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-03-01",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "ship",
      "text": "Pre-orders were scheduled to begin shipping.",
      "source": "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/anna-leigh-waters-signature-franklin-paddle-the-aurelius-is-approved-for-pro-play/"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-03-05",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "approval",
      "text": "Aurelius passed USA Pickleball approval; the 14mm and 16mm models were also added to the UPA-A list the same day.",
      "source": "https://www.pickletip.com/usap-approved-pickleball-paddles/"
    }
  ],
  "labs": [
    {
      "lab": "Pickleball Studio",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://pickleballstudio.com/reviews/franklin-aurelius-first-impressions"
    },
    {
      "lab": "Pickleheads",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://www.pickleheads.com/pickleball-gear/franklin-c45-aurelius-review"
    },
    {
      "lab": "Matt's Pickleball",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://www.mattspickleball.com/blog/franklin-c45-aurelius-review-anna-leigh-waters-signature-paddle-tested"
    }
  ],
  "colorways": [
    "Aurelius (single signature colorway)"
  ],
  "madeIn": "China",
  "warranty": null,
  "notes": "Anna Leigh Waters' signature shape; she plays the 12.7mm. It is a Gen 3 polymer-core thermoformed paddle, not a full-foam build. Pickleball Studio measured the 12.7mm at 7.28 oz / SW 92.3 and found it needs added weight to play well. MSRP $229.99.",
  "productUrl": "https://franklinsports.com/anna-leigh-waters-c45-paddle-series",
  "sources": [
    "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/anna-leigh-waters-signature-franklin-paddle-the-aurelius-is-approved-for-pro-play/",
    "https://www.pickleheads.com/pickleball-gear/franklin-c45-aurelius-review"
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "image": "https://pointcast.xyz/images/og/paddles/franklin-c45-aurelius.png"
}