Which Paddle Does Anna Leigh Waters Use?

Anna Leigh Waters is the dominant women's pickleball player and one of the sport's biggest stars. Here's what she's playing with — and what to know if you're thinking of buying it.

Published June 9, 2026

Anna Leigh Waters has been the dominant women's pickleball player for several years. She's exclusively partnered with Paddletek and plays with their flagship line — currently the Bantam ALW-C — which is essentially her signature paddle, designed around her preferences.

Heads up

Pro paddle endorsements change. Verify on the brand's official pro page before assuming a model is current.

Current Paddle

Anna Leigh Waters is currently playing with the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C — a 16mm thermoformed paddle with a carbon face, available in both elongated and hybrid shapes (she plays the hybrid). It's tuned for the soft-hands kitchen play that defines her game, with a slightly lower swing weight than the typical men's-tour paddle.

Why Her Paddle Is Different

Anna plays with one of the lower-swing-weight paddles on the women's pro tour because her game is built around hand speed and touch. Her hand exchanges at the kitchen are some of the fastest in the sport. The lighter paddle lets her win those exchanges where a heavier paddle would cost her reaction time.

Specs of the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C Hybrid

Shape: Hybrid (16.3" × ~7.7")
Thickness: 16mm
Face: T700 raw carbon
Construction: Thermoformed unibody
Weight: ~7.8 oz
Swing weight: ~110 (mid-range, favoring hand speed)
Twist weight: ~6.2
Price: ~$250

Should You Buy Anna Leigh's Paddle?

More likely than Ben Johns's paddle, actually. The Bantam ALW-C Hybrid's specs (16mm, hybrid shape, SW ~110) match what works for many recreational doubles players — not just pros. If your game is built around touch and kitchen play, this paddle's spec profile is genuinely well-suited to that style.

Anna's Paddle History

Anna has been with Paddletek throughout her professional career. She started on the Paddletek Bantam Ek line and migrated to the ALW-C signature line as Paddletek built paddles specifically around her preferences. Unlike many pros who switch brands, she's been remarkably stable — a sign that the paddles genuinely fit her game.

Bottom Line

Anna Leigh Waters plays with the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C Hybrid — a hand-speed-oriented 16mm hybrid paddle. If you're a doubles player whose game is built around touch and kitchen play, this paddle's specs translate well to amateur play. Power-focused players will find it too soft.

Frequently Asked Questions

What paddle does Anna Leigh Waters use?

Anna Leigh Waters uses the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C Hybrid — a 16mm thermoformed hybrid paddle with a raw T700 carbon face. She's been with Paddletek for her entire professional career and the ALW-C line is essentially her signature paddle.

Is the ALW-C a good paddle for amateurs?

Yes, for the right player. The specs (16mm hybrid, swing weight ~110) suit soft-hands doubles players who win points with touch and kitchen play. It's not the right paddle for pure power players or singles specialists, but its spec profile maps well to a lot of amateur doubles games.

How much does Anna Leigh Waters's paddle cost?

The Paddletek Bantam ALW-C retails around $250. Paddletek occasionally runs promotions through their site and through retailers. Anna's actual paddle is the same one available to the public.

Why does Anna Leigh Waters use a lighter paddle than men's pros?

Her game is built around hand speed and touch — she wins kitchen exchanges by reacting faster than her opponents. A lighter, lower-swing-weight paddle gets through the air faster and lets her control more shots with subtle hand movement rather than full-arm swings.