{
  "id": "joola-gen-3",
  "url": "https://pointcast.xyz/paddles/joola-gen-3",
  "brand": "JOOLA",
  "model": "Gen 3 series (Perseus 3 · Hyperion 3 · Scorpeus 3 · Magnus 3)",
  "year": 2024,
  "launch": {
    "date": "2024-04-16",
    "precision": "day",
    "label": "Apr 16"
  },
  "lifecycle": "discontinued",
  "listPriceUsd": 280,
  "listPriceLabel": "≈$280 retail (reported)",
  "build": "hybrid",
  "buildLabel": "Honeycomb + foam (Gen 3)",
  "thickness": "14 / 16mm",
  "shapes": "Elongated (Perseus, Hyperion) · Standard (Scorpeus) · Extra-elongated short handle (Magnus)",
  "pro": "Ben Johns (Perseus 3), Simone Jardim (Hyperion 3), Collin Johns and Anna Bright (Scorpeus 3), Tyson McGuffin (Magnus 3)",
  "summary": "Reviewers found the Propulsion Core delivered a step change in power and pop over Gen 2 thermoformed paddles, which is exactly what got it pulled. Within a month USAP removed the line, JOOLA sued for $200M, and consumers filed class actions. The episode drove USAP's PBCoR power test and the UPA-A's rival certification; it is the paddle story of 2024.",
  "construction": "Propulsion Core: a horseshoe-shaped foam channel between the foam-filled carbon fiber perimeter and the honeycomb core, under a 'Charged Carbon' raw carbon face. JOOLA said the design lets the core move like a stringbed.",
  "core": {
    "layers": [
      "polypropylene honeycomb core",
      "horseshoe-shaped foam channel (Propulsion Core)",
      "foam-filled carbon fiber perimeter",
      "Charged Carbon raw carbon face"
    ],
    "face": "Charged Carbon (raw carbon fiber)",
    "edge": "foam-filled carbon perimeter with edge guard",
    "source": "https://pickleballcentral.com/blog/review-of-joola-gen-3-pickleball-paddles-/"
  },
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Perseus 3 16mm",
      "shape": "elongated",
      "lengthIn": null,
      "widthIn": null,
      "handleIn": null,
      "thicknessMm": 16,
      "weightOz": "",
      "sw": 119,
      "tw": null,
      "specSource": "https://pickleballcentral.com/blog/review-of-joola-gen-3-pickleball-paddles-/"
    },
    {
      "name": "Perseus 3 14mm",
      "shape": "elongated",
      "lengthIn": null,
      "widthIn": null,
      "handleIn": null,
      "thicknessMm": 14,
      "weightOz": "",
      "sw": 116,
      "tw": null,
      "specSource": "https://pickleballcentral.com/blog/review-of-joola-gen-3-pickleball-paddles-/"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hyperion 3 16mm",
      "shape": "elongated",
      "lengthIn": null,
      "widthIn": null,
      "handleIn": null,
      "thicknessMm": 16,
      "weightOz": "",
      "sw": 118,
      "tw": null,
      "specSource": "https://pickleballcentral.com/blog/review-of-joola-gen-3-pickleball-paddles-/"
    },
    {
      "name": "Scorpeus 3 16mm",
      "shape": "standard",
      "lengthIn": null,
      "widthIn": null,
      "handleIn": null,
      "thicknessMm": 16,
      "weightOz": "",
      "sw": 112,
      "tw": null,
      "specSource": "https://pickleballcentral.com/blog/review-of-joola-gen-3-pickleball-paddles-/"
    },
    {
      "name": "Magnus 3 16mm",
      "shape": "elongated",
      "lengthIn": null,
      "widthIn": null,
      "handleIn": null,
      "thicknessMm": 16,
      "weightOz": "",
      "sw": 119,
      "tw": null,
      "specSource": "https://pickleballcentral.com/blog/review-of-joola-gen-3-pickleball-paddles-/"
    }
  ],
  "status": {
    "usap": "no",
    "usapSource": null,
    "upaa": "unknown",
    "upaaSource": null,
    "quiet": false,
    "patent": "own-patent",
    "investigation": null,
    "lifecycle": "discontinued"
  },
  "certNote": "Approved from a Sept 2023 submission; USAP notified JOOLA of removal May 15 2024 and announced it May 16; USAP upheld the decision Jun 4 2024 after resubmitted paddles failed. Refunds offered for purchases Apr 16–Jun 15 2024.",
  "timeline": [
    {
      "date": "2023-09-15",
      "precision": "month",
      "kind": "approval",
      "text": "JOOLA says the Gen3 models were approved by USAP in the September 2023 paddle submission process.",
      "source": "https://joola.com/blogs/blog/official-joola-statement-as-of-may-16-2024"
    },
    {
      "date": "2024-04-16",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "launch",
      "text": "Gen3 paddles go on sale; JOOLA's refund window later starts from this date.",
      "source": "https://joola.com/blogs/blog/official-joola-gen3-update-as-of-june-5-2024"
    },
    {
      "date": "2024-05-16",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "delist",
      "text": "USAP announces removal of all Gen3 paddles from the approved list (JOOLA was notified May 15), citing a JOOLA 'administrative error' in Nov 2023 similarity testing.",
      "source": "https://www.pickleheads.com/blog/joola-gen-3-banned"
    },
    {
      "date": "2024-06-04",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "delist",
      "text": "USAP says resubmitted Gen3 paddles did not pass all requirements and offers a Corrective Action Plan.",
      "source": "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/usa-pickleball-makes-announcement-regarding-update-to-joola-gen3-paddles/"
    },
    {
      "date": "2024-06-05",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "legal",
      "text": "JOOLA announces full refunds for Gen3 purchases Apr 16–Jun 15; Edwards Henderson announces a $5M class action over 'USA Pickleball Approved' advertising.",
      "source": "https://pickleball.com/gear/refunds-and-legal-action-the-latest-on-the-joola-gen-3-paddles"
    },
    {
      "date": "2024-06-12",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "legal",
      "text": "JOOLA (Sport Squad, Inc.) sues USA Pickleball in the U.S. District Court for Maryland seeking $200M.",
      "source": "https://thekitchenpickle.com/blogs/news/usap-joola-paddle-controversy"
    }
  ],
  "labs": [
    {
      "lab": "other",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://pickleballcentral.com/blog/review-of-joola-gen-3-pickleball-paddles-/"
    },
    {
      "lab": "Pickleball Effect",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/joola-gen-3-paddle-series-review-includes-perseus-3-magnus-3-and-scorpeus-3-models/"
    },
    {
      "lab": "other",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://www.justpaddles.com/blog/post/joola-gen-3-review/"
    }
  ],
  "colorways": [],
  "madeIn": null,
  "warranty": null,
  "notes": "Exact MSRP not confirmed on a brand page; classaction.org reports ~$280. Pickleball Central lists Scorpeus 3 as '16 by 8' with a 5.25 in handle and 5.5 in handles on Perseus/Hyperion, 5 in on Magnus; not carried into variants because PBC is a retailer blog, not a brand page or lab table.",
  "productUrl": null,
  "sources": [
    "https://joola.com/blogs/blog/official-joola-statement-as-of-may-16-2024",
    "https://joola.com/blogs/blog/official-joola-gen3-update-as-of-june-5-2024",
    "https://pickleballcentral.com/blog/review-of-joola-gen-3-pickleball-paddles-/",
    "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/usa-pickleball-announces-new-paddle-testing-standards-as-industry-reaches-a-boiling-point/",
    "https://thekitchenpickle.com/blogs/news/usap-joola-paddle-controversy",
    "https://www.pickleheads.com/blog/joola-gen-3-banned",
    "https://pickleball.com/gear/refunds-and-legal-action-the-latest-on-the-joola-gen-3-paddles",
    "https://www.classaction.org/news/joola-lawsuit-claims-pricey-pickleball-paddles-not-approved-by-usa-pickleball-as-advertised",
    "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/usa-pickleball-makes-announcement-regarding-update-to-joola-gen3-paddles/"
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "image": "https://pointcast.xyz/images/og/paddles/joola-gen-3.png"
}