The Rise of Killa Dinks: How Griffin Toren Is Shaping Youth Pickleball and Custom Paddle Culture

I first met Griffin Toren nearly two years ago at a Funky Pickle event in Atlantic City. Among the pickleball courts, food trucks, and festival buzz, one thing stood out: a young guy enthusiastically teaching a group of elementary school kids the basics of pickleball. At a time when youth pickleball programs were rare, his energy and approach immediately caught my attention. I’d been traveling to plenty of events, and while clinics and competitions were growing, few people were focused on engaging youth in the sport. Griffin was clearly onto something.

Killa Dinks Kids Pickleball Classic

What I didn’t know was that Griffin was still a college student at the time. He was just a sophomore at the University of Miami when he founded Killa Dinks, a brand rooted in energy, creativity, and a mission to bring more fun and accessibility to recreational pickleball. Fast forward two years, and not only has Griffin graduated, but he’s also turned Killa Dinks into one of the most recognizable custom pickleball paddle brands in the game.

A New Vibe in Recreational Pickleball

Griffin saw what so many of us in the community have come to realize: the fastest-growing side of pickleball isn’t the pros; it’s the everyday players. The kids playing after school, the families hitting the courts on weekends, the coworkers signing up for corporate tournaments… they’re the ones fueling this sport’s explosion. And while traditional brands were chasing elite athletes and pushing high-end carbon paddles with hefty price tags, Griffin went the other way.

The Killa Dinks logo

Killa Dinks was created to serve the growing base of recreational players who wanted quality paddles and gear without breaking the bank or sacrificing style. Their mascot is a neon green bear from the Killabears Web3 universe, designed by the artist Memo. It’s bold, fun, and unlike anything else on the court, just like the brand itself. 

Building a Brand with Purpose

The mission behind Killa Dinks is clear: make pickleball more expressive, more inclusive, and more affordable. That purpose has resonated. The brand’s paddles and apparel have become popular not just with kids and Gen Z, but also with adults who want to bring some color and personality to their gear. Killa Dinks has helped shift the aesthetic of pickleball away from conservative and country-club to cool, creative, and community-based.

And Griffin didn’t stop at gear. He saw a bigger opportunity.

The Custom Paddle Boom

Killa Dinks custom paddles designed for a Poppi event.

As pickleball tournaments, charity events, and company-wide competitions have become the norm, branded paddles are becoming the new t-shirt or tote bag. But few knew how to make those paddles both high-quality and cost-effective. Killa Dinks stepped in to solve that.

Griffin has positioned the company as a custom pickleball paddle incubator, helping everyone from local real estate agents to Fortune 500 companies design custom pickleball paddles. Hard Rock, Apple, Poppi, OnlyFans, Patek Philippe, Curaleaf, and even the Miami Marlins have all collaborated with Killa Dinks. That’s no small feat for a company that started in a college dorm room.

In Griffin’s words, “With everyone trying to leverage the popularity of the sport, not everyone knows the best way to get involved. But branded merchandise [especially paddles] is one of the most effective ways to create a lasting impact and show that you’re all-in on the pickleball movement.”

Killa Dinks has emerged as a top name in affordable pickleball gear and custom pickleball paddles, filling a much-needed gap in the market.

What’s Next? Global Expansion and New Racket Sports

Griffin isn’t slowing down. Killa Dinks is now expanding into padel, a fast-growing racquet sport that’s gaining traction in the U.S. Just like with pickleball, the company is making branded padel rackets for events and companies looking to jump into the trend early.

From what I’ve seen, both on and off the court, Griffin represents the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators in pickleball. He leads with optimism, creativity, and hustle. And in a sport that’s all about fun and connection, he’s building a brand that truly reflects the community it serves.