body helix Flik Falcon Elongated Paddle
Some paddles grab your attention the moment you pick them up, and the Flik Falcon is one of those paddles. Three design features immediately stand out: its elongated shape, its unusually long handle, and its slim 13 mm profile. Each element comes with clear implications for players looking to fine-tune their game and add some power.
First, the elongated design. I’ve always preferred elongated and hybrid-shaped paddles for the extra reach they offer. The Falcon follows this tradition with a sleek, extended silhouette that creates a slightly longer—but narrower—sweet spot. Intermediate and advanced players should find this a welcome tradeoff, while beginners may struggle since most entry-level paddles rely on a more forgiving, squarish sweet spot. For players who thrive on power, however, the Falcon’s shape is a plus.
Next, the extra-long handle. Personally, I don’t need the extra length, but for players who favor two-handed backhands, this handle is a dream. The Falcon also ships with a relatively slim 4.15-inch grip circumference—ideal for players with smaller hands. That said, the design is versatile. Those of us with larger hands can easily bulk up the grip with an over grip or, in my case, a second padded grip layered on top of the stock Body Helix grip. The result? A handle tailored perfectly to my preference.
The third standout feature is the paddle’s narrow 13 mm thickness. At first glance, I worried this would make the paddle too “poppy,” sending balls sailing high on resets and dinks. To my surprise, that wasn’t the case. Thanks to Body Helix’s unique TerraCore EPP construction paired with Cork Dwell Pads, the Falcon delivered the control of a thicker, 16 mm paddle without sacrificing quick response. This blend of thin-paddle speed and thick-paddle stability sets the Falcon apart.
Naturally, the big question was: how does it perform on the court? After a few warm-up serves and a solid 30-minute ball machine session, the answer was obvious—the Flik Falcon is an absolute powerhouse. With a PBCoR score of .43 (the maximum power rating certified by USA Pickleball), the Falcon sits right at the legal edge of explosiveness. For those unfamiliar, the PBCoR measures energy rebound. At .43, a 40 MPH ball hitting a stationary Falcon will launch back at roughly 17.2 MPH. In real play, that translates to serves, drives, and overheads that come off the face with eye-opening force.
Harnessing that power required some adjustments. I had to smooth out my swing, slow down slightly, and add more topspin to keep my shots from flying long. Fortunately, the Falcon’s three layers of Toray Carbon made generating spin effortless. I also experimented with customization by adding 3 grams of lead tape to each side of the frame, about three inches above the handle. The extra weight gave me just the right amount of added stability and better command over my shots without muting the paddle’s raw power.
To put the longer handle to the test, I handed the Falcon to a couple of clubmates who rely heavily on two-handed backhands. Their reactions were unanimous: they loved the extended handle length and raved about the paddle’s ability to unleash powerful shots with authority.
Bottom line: The Flik Falcon is a paddle built for intermediate and advanced players who want to “power up” their game—especially those who prefer two-handed backhands. It combines maximum-legal power with impressive spin capability and surprising control for its slim profile. While I personally prefer the Body Helix F1 (since I don’t need the extra-long handle), the Falcon is every bit as powerful, earning the same max .43 PBCoR score. If you’re looking for reach, spin, and explosive performance, the Flik Falcon could be your next paddle of choice.
-Phillip Ash