AJUSTES / SETTINGS
Varlion in the history of padel
Since 1993, Varlion has been at the forefront of padel equipment.
1993 - 1998
Varlion was founded in June 1993. A year later, we opened our first factory in order to develop our own design and production know-how. In 1995, we designed the world's first oversized paddle with a 26 cm front width (all others were 24 cm), but maintaining the market weight and core thickness: the Lethal Weapon. Its shape eventually won over players and it became a best seller (later copied by all brands). This marked the beginning of the brand's sales in South American countries and Spain with the Lethal Weapon Ti-B.G. and the LW Pro.
1999-2001
In 1999, we moved the factory from Argentina to Spain. This involved a major technological advance and a revolutionary design. We began to design the rackets using 3D design programmes, achieving a totally symmetrical and unique product worldwide. This involved a qualitative leap in the materials used, with more automated and perfect manufacturing processes, thus significantly improving quality. We then took control of Varlion's distribution in Spain, coinciding with the launch of the world's first paddle with carbon fibre in the plane: Lethal Weapon Carbon.
2002-2005
During this period, its successors, the LW Carbon 2 and LW Carbon 3, were launched on the market. The first cannon model was designed with the Cañon 5, which set a trend with its technical and radical design with five windows between the frame and the core. And for the first time, a racket with a thicker core than the profile was launched: the LW and Avant Overframe. As with other models from the brand, these led to changes in the FIP's regulations on rackets, to legislate technological developments that exceeded the current legislation. Typical of a company that is ahead of the curve and drives its own evolution. The LW Carbon 3 would become the best-selling racket in the history of padel (more than 60,000 units sold at its RRP between 2003 and 2013 in Spain) for a collector's racket.
2006-2011
In 2006, we positioned ourselves as a comprehensive padel brand with the launch of clothing and footwear, thus becoming the first brand to design and produce everything necessary for padel players. In 2009, we launched AVANT, the first teardrop-shaped paddle that represented the perfect balance between Lethal Weapon (round) and Cañon (diamond). Here we know where these names come from - round, teardrop
and diamond
-. We introduced HEXAGON technology into their frames through the Avant and Cañon Carbon Hexagon, thus creating the first paddles with an hexagonal frame and core. During these years, there was also a significant investment in robotics for painting process, CNC for numerically controlled drilling and automatic decoration.
and diamond
-. We introduced HEXAGON technology into their frames through the Avant and Cañon Carbon Hexagon, thus creating the first paddles with an hexagonal frame and core. During these years, there was also a significant investment in robotics for painting process, CNC for numerically controlled drilling and automatic decoration.
The year 2006 was a milestone in our history when we made an investment of 2.500.000€ to build a new factory of more than 3.500m2 in the city of Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). For the first time
we would have robotic machines for painting and numerical control drilling of blades. It also included a warehouse, a design department and other divisions of the company.
we would have robotic machines for painting and numerical control drilling of blades. It also included a warehouse, a design department and other divisions of the company.
In 2007 Varlion positioned itself as an integral brand of padel, launching products of textile, footwear and accessories for both men and women.
2012-2014
These years showed the introduction of the brand into motor racing through F1, designing and producing technical textiles for teams (overalls, gloves and boots for drivers and mechanics). It also saw the launch of the first paddle with DIFUSOR, a technology inspired by F1 that marked a turning point in paddle aerodynamics. Diffuser technology was applied to all three formats (LW, Avant and Cañon) and was added to other existing technologies, such as the 100% carbon construction seen in the core and the structural design with a Hexagon frame. In addition, to lead the footwear market, we launched the V-Hexagon trainers, whose design is associated with the Hexagon paddle of the same generation. This launch broke the basic rules of existing brands with strong, flexible and comfortable footwear, offering the best grip and durability on the market.
2015-2017
From 2015 onwards, we decided to commit even more to the environment and sought alternatives to continue maintaining quality without compromising the care of our ecosystem. That is why we created the new Econaked aesthetic, with which we managed to reduce the use of paints and solvents by up to 80% by not using them to decorate the paddles. From that moment on, the Super Pro range paddles began to be shown as they are, without covering their aesthetics with paints or stickers.
2018-2019
In 2018 we celebrated 25 years of history, innovation, research, experience, of living for and through padel.
In April of that year, the 2018/19 collection was launched with one of the biggest innovations we have ever made: manufacturing the same paddle model in two different versions; one for playing in temperatures below 25°C (W), and another for playing in temperatures above 25°C (S)
This innovation was applied to all the blades of the Summum and Super Pro ranges, and can be differentiated thanks to the red or blue thermometer on the blade's profile.
We also introduced another new feature with the creation of SUMMUM technology, which combines three important aspects in a paddle: a longer than usual handle for a more comfortable grip and two-handed play; a greater number of holes distributed across the face to create a wider hitting surface and sweet spot; and a rough embossed texture to generate incredible effects.
This Summum concept was used to create two new paddle shapes: BOURNE, born from the fusion of Avant (teardrop) and Cañon (power), and MAXIMA, created from the LW and Avant shapes.
2020-2021
Due to the pandemic, we had to close our factory in Paraguay and open a new one in Spain in record time in order to continue manufacturing and offering products to our customers. It was another hurdle to overcome, which we managed to do with a lot of effort. However, this collection also introduced important technological innovations,
such as the launch of the new PRISMA frame to counteract the overwhelming copying of the Hexagon frame by our competitors.
such as the launch of the new PRISMA frame to counteract the overwhelming copying of the Hexagon frame by our competitors.
2022-2024
The 2022 collection revolutionised the market with the launch of the first paddle in history that does not require drilling, thanks to the new RADIO technology. We also innovated with AIRFLOW, a technology that influences aerodynamics and clearly improves the mobility of the paddle. The complexity of these technologies led to the development of a manufacturing patent registered in Europe. In the future, the Spanish judicial authorities will prove it, but in 2023/2024 we suffered a scam and internal betrayals that made the distribution and existence of the brand extremely difficult.
2025-2027
Varlion is re-established. Félix Regalia creates Varlion GmbH, a company founded in Switzerland. From here, we will design and create the current and future collections of padel, pickleball, beach tennis and table tennis paddles, as well as tennis, badminton and squash rackets, to offer paddle and racket sports pl
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