Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta

What it is

Selkirk's Tyson McGuffin signature power paddle, the headline of the Vanguard Air series. Elongated shape, 13mm X5 polymer core, raw T700 carbon face, and Selkirk's Air construction (edge foam injected into the perimeter) to expand the sweet spot on a thin power paddle. This is the paddle that put Selkirk on the pro power map and the one McGuffin made famous by breaking one over his knee at a Takeya Showcase final.

How it plays

The power number (8.6) is the headline, but the more interesting score is the comfort (8.3) given how thin the 13mm core is. The Air construction does the work there, smoothing off-center hits that would feel harsh on a non-foam thin paddle. Control grades at 6.6 in the data, which is exactly where you would expect for a paddle tuned to drives.

Owners consistently describe it as effortless drive power once you weight it properly. Most are running lead tape from day one to stabilize the head and add swing weight. There is a notable user pattern of players cycling away from the Power Air to a Six Zero DBD or similar mid-power paddle once they realize they want more placement, not more raw drive.

Build and specs

8.0 oz stock, 4 1/4'' grip, 13mm X5 core, elongated shape, raw T700 face. The Air foam edge is the build differentiator. Durability lands at 7, with edge guard wear being the most common owner complaint after a year of heavy play. Selkirk's warranty network is the most reliable in the industry, which materially matters if something delaminates or the edge fails.

Where it fits

This is an advanced-skill, tournament-leaning paddle. The linked Amazon price is about HK$1,020 before shipping, and the elongated shape combined with thin core means it punishes sloppy fundamentals. If you are still working on consistent kitchen contact, the Vanguard Control Invikta or the Luxx Control Air will be more forgiving. If you are a tennis convert with a heavy drive game who wants pro-tier validation on your paddle, this is the obvious pick.

For HK buyers, the import wait is real (Tier 3 availability), and edge guard replacement parts need to be sourced from Selkirk US.

Bottom line

A bangers' paddle that earns its reputation but isn't for everyone. Pick it if you are tennis-converted, advanced, and want elite drive power. Skip it if you are sub-4.0 or value control over raw pop. The Vanguard Control Invikta is the same build philosophy with a control bias at a similar current Amazon price, which is often the better buy.