Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear banned the use of “conversion therapy” on minors in Kentucky on Wednesday, calling his executive order an overdue step to protect children from a widely discredited practice that tries to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling. Over 20 other states that have passed laws prohibiting the controversial treatment.

The governor took action using his executive powers after efforts to enact a state law banning the practice repeatedly failed in the state’s Republican-dominated legislature.

“My faith teaches me that all children are children of God,” Beshear said during the signing ceremony at the Kentucky Statehouse. “And where practices are endangering and even harming those children, we must act. The practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ hurts our children.”

As Beshear prepared to sign the order, someone shouted his opposition, saying “this is a denial of affirmation therapy.” Activists for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights drowned out the protester with cheers.

The Family Foundation, a socially conservative group based in Kentucky, quickly denounced Beshear’s action, saying it tramples on the rights of parents and suppresses religious expression.

“This order, like previous failed legislative efforts, is designed to promote false LGBTQ ideologies and muzzle Christian counselors, therapists and pastors from helping children struggling with sexual orientation or gender identity confusion,” David Walls, the group’s executive director, said in a statement.

Anticipating such attacks, Beshear said his action “does not force an ideology on anybody.”

“It simply stops a so-called ‘therapy’ that the medical community says is wrong and hurts our children,” the governor said.

The executive order signed by Beshear bans the practice and makes it illegal to use state or federal funds to provide the therapy on minors. It also gives the state’s board of licensure the authority to take action against anyone found to have practiced conversion therapy on minors and gives the board the authority to bring disciplinary action against anyone found in violation of the order.

Such therapy has been discredited and is opposed by, among others, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, citing research that shows it leads to increased risk of suicide and depression.

The Supreme Court in Dec. 2023 declined to hear a case about conversion therapy. There is currently no national ban, but nearly half the states and the District of Columbia prohibit the use of conversion therapy with minors, Beshear’s office said. 

Gov. Tim Walz, Vice President Harris’ running mate, issued an executive order in 2021 to ban conversion therapy in his home state of Minnesota, and in 2023, the state took things a step further by passing a law banning the practice.

Outside of the U.S., several countries — including Germany, France and Canada — have done away with the practice, but it remains legal in large portions of the world, according to a Statista map.

LGBTQ+ advocates celebrated Beshear’s executive order on Wednesday. 

In a statement posted online, Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project, which focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth, said “this executive order serves as a powerful reminder that LGBTQ+ youth have allies and leaders who support them in every corner of our country.”

The nonprofit’s statement cited research from a peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Public Health that found that LGBTQ+ young people who underwent conversion therapy were more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide.

Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign, a Kentucky-based LGBTQ+ advocacy group, praised Beshear for taking bold action to protect Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ youth from what he called the harmful practice of conversion therapy. He said the governor’s action sent a clear message to Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ kids and their families: that “you are perfect as you are.”

If you’re ready to show everyone at the local pickleball court what you’re capable of, you need a pickleball paddle that’s up to the task. The best pickleball paddles for advanced players are durable enough to hold up to more frequent and more intense games. They’re also precision-crafted for specific playing styles. Whether you’re a spin doctor or you’re secret weapon is your killer serve, there’s a paddle out there designed to enhance your game.

So, if you’re ready to upgrade your pickleball gear but not sure what to look for in your next pickleball paddle, we’ve rounded up our favorites here. From versatile hybrid models to specialized designs that emphasize power or spin, these are the best pickleball paddles for advanced players in 2024.

Best pickleball paddle for advanced players overall: CRBN-3X Power Series

Designed for both spin and power, the CRBN-3X is one of the most versatile pickleball paddles you can get. The all-court paddle weighs 7.8 ounces and features a 14 mm thick paddle with a durable carbon fiber face.

The midweight, hybrid pickleball paddle is surprisingly good at just about everything: heavy enough to generate serious power, light enough to maneuver fast kitchen exchanges and capable of creating tons of spin.

With that said it can be a little difficult to control with its longer handle and stiffer feel. However, for advanced players, a few practice matches should be enough to give you a feel for the paddle so you can swing it confidently.

For skilled players with the technique needed to control it, the ability to get incredible power and spin out of the same paddle makes this one of the most enjoyable pickleball paddles you could play with.

Get the premium hybrid pickleball paddle for $230.

Top features of the CRBN-3X Power Series:

• The 7.5-inch wide paddle has a generous sweet spot, making it surprisingly forgiving for an advanced pickleball paddle.
• This midweight, hybrid pickleball paddle generates tons of power and spin, making it a versatile paddle for a variety of playing styles.
• The premium paddle is built for performance and long-lasting durability.

Best pickleball paddle for power: Selkirk Vanguard Invikta Power Air

The Selkirk Vanguard Invikta has all the hallmarks of a high-end power paddle. The elongated shape, edgeless design and four-layer face featuring a blend of fiberglass and carbon fiber help you build up tons of power and speed in your swing.

Alongside those standard specs of a power paddle, the unique air dynamic throat at the bottom of the paddle improves the aerodynamics for even more speed, so you can drive the ball fast and far with less effort.

While you won’t get as much spin out of it, the power-focused paddle is great for aggressive players whose best asset is their killer serve. Sturdy and durable, this pickleball paddle is also built to withstand that kind of aggressive playing style without losing its edge — figuratively speaking, since this paddle is edgeless.

Get the paddle built for power players at Amazon for $250.

Top features of the Gearbox Pro Power:

• The elongated, edgeless paddle is ideal for power players.
• The multi-layer paddle face features a durable blend of carbon fiber and fiberglass.
• The air dynamic throat and edgeless design help you build up maximum speed through your swing.

Best pickleball paddle for spin: Diadem Edge 18K

Carbon fiber is already a great choice for players who want tons of spin, but the Diadem Edge 18K takes it to a new level with its triaxial weave 18K carbon fiber face. With carbon fiber yarn woven at 60-degree angles, the paddle can generate spin at every angle of contact.

For players, that means consistent spin on every shot, no matter what angle you approach from. To balance out that spin-focused design, Diadem built the rest of the paddle for maximum control. The 8-ounce weight and 16 mm thick paddle make it easier to maneuver and help create a larger sweet spot.

Overall, it’s great for finesse players or counterpunchers who focus on court placement and keeping their opponent on the move. The paddle offers enough control to keep up in fast-paced exchanges at the net with enough spin to keep your opponent constantly chasing after the ball.

Get the spin-focused paddle at Amazon for $220.

Top features of the Diadem Edge 18K:

• The unique multidirectional carbon fiber weave enables you to generate spin at every angle of contact.
• A thick paddle and midweight design make this paddle easier to control than most spin-focused paddles.
• With a soft grip and reinforced edge shield, this paddle is comfortable and durable enough to use for years to come.

Best pickleball paddle for casual players: Vatic Pro Prism Flash

You’re ready to level up from the cheap, flimsy paddle you picked up when you first started playing, but you’re not a serious enough picklehead to commit to a super specialized or super pricey model? The Vatic Pro Prism Flash is for you.

Weighing in at 8 ounces, it’s a midweight paddle that offers a good balance of power and control. Adding to that power and control is the carbon fiber face and standard 7.7-inch width. That balanced design is versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of playing styles, allowing you to use this paddle for hard drives and lobs, as well as dinks and spins.

It’s also durable and well-built thanks to the carbon fiber material and one-piece construction, so this paddle will serve you well for years. You’ll immediately feel the difference compared to the cheaper, older paddle you started with.

At $100, it’s also much more affordable than the more specialized, high-end paddles on this list. So you get comparable durability and quality without the $200 (or higher) price tag.

Top features of the Vatic Pro Prism Flash:

• The lightweight-yet-thick paddle (16 mm) with a durable carbon fiber face is a great balance of power, control and spin to accommodate all playing styles.
• The balanced design and premium construction are built to last, so you can use the same paddle for years.
• A neoprene cover is included to protect the paddle when not in use, further adding to its long lifespan.
• Priced at $100, it’s more affordable than most advanced pickleball paddles.

More top-rated pickleball paddles for advanced players