Game Changing Grip: How Two Hawaii Founders Created TriggerGrip Pro

Sep 8

In this edition of Tech Spotlight, we shine a light on a homegrown Hawaii brand born from court-side curiosity and a whole lot of DIY hustle. Learn the story behind TriggerGrip Pro, a new performance grip insert designed to help players—from newbies to pros—find better paddle control, comfort, and consistency. Here’s how it all started.

How did TriggerGrip Pro come to life?

The idea for TriggerGrip Pro came from a routine drill session. During one of our training days, I noticed that Arion held his paddle differently than I did. Coming from a racquetball background, I used a closed-fist or hammer grip, while Arion used a more advanced “TriggerGrip” position, with his index finger extended along the paddle—what we now know as the optimal grip position.

In what ways can this grip help both beginners and high-level players?

Curious, I started experimenting with the TriggerGrip during drills, but something felt off. My index finger didn’t have a stable point of contact, just the friction from the overgrip. That’s when the first version of the TriggerGrip was born: I cut my mom’s hairband in half, wrapped it in electrical tape, and placed it on my paddle handle. Right away, I could feel the difference in control and comfort. Arion tried it too and had the same reaction.

The second version came from molding clay we bought at Ben Franklin craft store. We experimented everywhere, at home, in the car, even at a Waffle House, until we found the perfect ergonomic shape. The third version was a step forward. We transferred the design into AutoCAD and 3D resin printed a prototype. To attach it to the paddle, we used Velcro and overgrip tape to secure it.

In what ways can this grip help both beginners and high-level players?

At that point, Arion and I realized if this grip was improving our game, it could help others, too. That’s when we made the decision to pursue both a Design and Utility Patent for TriggerGrip and move from 3D resin to silicone, giving it the exact look, feel, and performance the pickleball community deserves.

What problem were you trying to solve when you first created the prototype?

The problem we were solving was the need for additional leverage, stability/support, and comfort to the pickleball paddle handle.

How did you two end up working together on this? What’s the story behind the partnership?

Arion and I met a while back at Mahiko Pickleball Courts in Ewa Beach around 2022, when I was just starting to play pickleball. We’d wave hello in passing if he was hitting with his friend Hector. Fast forward to 2024, and I began taking pickleball more seriously, drilling five days a week and playing recreationally on Saturdays. After finishing a Mahiko Night Session, I saw Arion hanging out on the outside of the courts. We had some small talk, and for some reason, I found myself asking if he’d be interested in training together and possibly competing on the pro circuit. I hadn’t been able to find a dedicated partner to train and play tournaments with.

From there, we started drilling five days a week, lifting weights, and playing rec sessions on Saturdays. During one of our drills, the idea for the TriggerGrip came up. When that happened, Arion mentioned he’d be willing to help write the provisional patent. I then asked if he’d like to become partners in pursuing this project together.

For someone who’s never seen TriggerGrip Pro, how would you describe what it is and how it works?

TriggerGrip Pro gives your index finger a built-in ridge to anchor into, delivering next-level leverage, stability, and control on every shot. Reduces unnecessary strain on your wrist and elbow by improving your hand position and promoting proper mechanics, the TriggerGrip Pro slips seamlessly under your existing overgrip for easy installation.

In what ways can this grip help both beginners and high-level players?

For beginners, the triggergrip helps with learning proper grip mechanics, paddle orientation, and comfort when learning the fundamentals of pickleball.

For high-level players, the additional leverage it provides increases the users overall power on drives, volleys, and flicks/rolls, stability during resets to absorb powerful shots and off-center hits decreasing paddle twist in the user’s hand, and accuracy by leading with the index finger to direct and place shots where needed.

What kind of feedback have you gotten from players at different skill levels?

So, when we created this product, it was to give us additional leverage to execute shots with increased power, accuracy, and stability. However, after giving out grips to pickleball influencers, reviewers, coaches, and professionals, the benefits listed previously are directly from the players from different skills level providing their testimony.

How has Hawaii shaped your approach as founders and creators?

Great question, to be honest up until the last two weeks we haven’t been receiving the type of support we would have anticipated being a Hawaii owned business, especially with a revolutionary product for pickleball. As most of our support is from coming from the mainland players, this has led us to directing our energy into to developing business relationships, partnerships, and player sponsorships in the mainland to further grow their communities.

What would you want the Hawaii pickleball community to know about your brand?

We want the Hawaii pickleball community to know that this brand was born here with the same spirit of innovation, resilience, and aloha that defines our islands. While much of our early support has come from the mainland, our roots are firmly planted in Hawaii, and we’re proud to represent the state in the larger pickleball world. Our goal has always been to elevate the sport through innovation, and we hope to eventually bring that same energy, growth, and community-building back home. We’re here for the long game, and we’d love nothing more than to see Hawaii’s pickleball scene thrive with us as a part of it.

Where can players find TriggerGrip Pro?

It can be found on our website or if you see either Arion or I in person. We will have them on hand wherever we go to practice or play! Hope to welcome everyone to the TGP Family!

TGP PERFORMANCE GRIP

Whether you're a Pro, Competitive Player, Weekend Warrior, or brand new to the game, the TriggerGrip Pro provides a performance boost for everyone.

More Leverage = More Power, More Control, and Less fatigue.

That’s TriggerGrip Pro.

PROTOTYPING THE TRIGGERGRIP PRO

(reprinted from the TriggerGrip Pro website)

TriggerGripPro was engineered in Hawaii by two aspiring pro pickleball players who wanted more out of their grip. The idea sparked during a routine drill session when I, Ethan, noticed my training and business partner, Arion, holding his paddle in a TriggerGrip position. At the time, I was in a hammer grip position. He mentioned that the TriggerGrip form is considered “proper grip mechanics,” so I decided to give it a shot.

Right away, I could feel my index finger synching into the overgrip, but it didn’t feel like I had the leverage I needed. That’s when the idea for TriggerGripPro was born. I started thinking of ways to create a ridge for my index finger to lock into. The first prototype was a folded-up hairband secured with electrical tape.That quickly evolved into a molded clay version, pressing my finger into a lump of clay to form the original shape of what would become the TriggerGripPro.

From there, we created an AutoCAD design and 3D printed a resin version. We strapped it to the paddle with a Velcro setup, but after about a month of testing, we realized the resin was too hard.We needed something with more give, something that could blend leverage and comfort. So we pivoted to silicone, added a silicone ring to make it a single, unified piece, and ended up with a grip insert that had just the right balance of firmness and flexibility.

That’s how TriggerGripPro came to life through trial, testing, and a lot of passion for the game.

MEET THE FOUNDERS

EthanMurao, co-founder of TriggerGrip Pro, was born and raised on Oahu and is a proud graduate of Saint Louis High School. A former racquetball player turned aspiring pickleball pro, Ethan developed the first version of the grip to improve his own performance—and discovered it could help players at every level.

Arion Northrop, also an Oahu native and Saint Louis alum, picked up pickleball in 2021 and quickly dove into

the competitive side of the sport. Teaming up with Ethan, Arion helped design what has become a sleek,

functional grip that’s now elevating games beyond their own.