Apollo Pickleball isn't a household name yet — but that's about to change. The MK47 Signature Pro is the brand's flagship paddle, co-designed with Maria Klokotzky, Canada's #1 ranked female professional pickleball player. It packs T700 raw carbon fiber, a proprietary EPP + EVA hybrid foam core, and repositionable weight clips — all at $219.99 CAD, well below comparable imports from JOOLA or Selkirk.

We tested both the Stealth and Phantom colorways at the kitchen line, from the baseline, and in fast-hands dinking exchanges. Here's what we found.

Who Is Apollo Pickleball?

Apollo Pickleball is a Canadian-born brand with one mission: give Canadian players access to pro-level paddle technology without the premium import markup. The MK47 is their first signature product, born from a direct collaboration with Maria Klokotzky — the Kelowna-based professional who holds the top women's ranking in Canada.

Unlike many "pro collab" paddles where an athlete's name is added for marketing after the fact, the MK47 was built around Maria's playing style — known for explosive hand speed, aggressive spin play, and a two-handed backhand that demands an extended handle.

The result is a paddle that skews toward intermediate-to-advanced players — anyone who wants more spin and pop than an entry-level paddle offers, but doesn't want to spend $280–$350 on a JOOLA Pro V or Selkirk LABS.

Full Specifications

On-Court Performance

Spin Generation

This is where the MK47 immediately stands apart. The T700 raw carbon fiber face grabs the ball with a textured bite you feel on the very first drive — topspin dinks sit down sharply on the kitchen line, and slice returns stay low and skidding. If you're adding topspin serve returns or erne attempts to your game, this face was made for it.

Control & Feel at the Kitchen

The EPP + EVA hybrid core at 16mm does real work. EPP (expanded polypropylene) gives the core structure and consistency across temperature changes — no dead spots, no hot spots. The EVA layer adds softness to absorb reset shots without the ball popping off unintentionally. It's a more controlled feel than a polypropylene-only core at equivalent thickness.

Power from the Baseline

The 16mm core keeps power measured compared to a 14mm paddle — the right trade-off for a control-oriented build. That said, the MK47 doesn't feel slow. The balanced swing weight (tunable with the weight clips) generates enough pace for aggressive third-shot drives. Players who live at the baseline may want a 14mm option if Apollo releases one, but for a kitchen-first game, this is the right call.

The Payload Weight Clips

Two 4g clips are included and can be slid into the edge guard channel at any position. Both at the head gives a head-heavy feel for more powerful drives. Move one toward the throat for more kitchen maneuverability. This is a genuinely useful feature — the equivalent of a $30 aftermarket mod included in the box.

Stealth vs. Phantom — Which One?

Both colorways are identical in specs and performance. The choice is purely aesthetic:

Both sell at $219.99. Buying for doubles partners? Stealth + Phantom makes them easy to tell apart at a glance.

How It Compares

At $219.99 CAD, the MK47 sits directly between the mid-range and premium markets:

The MK47 undercuts both by $60–$80 CAD while matching them on core technology. The weight clips are a genuine differentiator — no paddle at this price tier includes them out of the box.

Who Is This Paddle For?

• Intermediate to advanced players (3.5–5.0) who want to upgrade without paying import prices
• Tennis crossover players — the 5.5" extended handle fits a two-handed backhand naturally
• Spin-first players who value sharp topspin dinks and heavy serve returns over raw power
• Canadians who want to support a Canadian brand — designed in Canada, ships from Edmonton
• Players who like to tinker — the Payload weight clip system is rare at this price point

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apollo MK47 approved for tournament play?

Yes. The Apollo MK47 Signature Pro is USA Pickleball approved, making it legal for sanctioned tournaments including Canadian pickleball events that follow USAP equipment rules.

What's the difference between Stealth and Phantom?

Both are identical in specs, materials, weight range, and price. The only difference is colour: Stealth is deep midnight black, Phantom is cool silver-white. Performance is the same.

Who is Maria Klokotzky?

Maria Klokotzky is a professional pickleball player based in Kelowna, BC, and Canada's #1 ranked female professional. She co-designed the MK47 around her fast-hands, spin-heavy style — particularly her signature two-handed backhand.

How does the MK47 compare to the JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro?

Both use a 16mm core and raw carbon fiber face. The JOOLA carries a larger brand profile at $299.99 CAD. The MK47 comes in at $219.99, includes weight clips the JOOLA doesn't, and ships domestically. For performance-per-dollar, the MK47 is the stronger buy.

Does Performance Pickleball ship the Apollo MK47 across Canada?

Yes — free shipping on all orders across Canada. The MK47 at $219.99 clears our $75 free shipping threshold automatically.