The KewCast with John & Eddie

Aireo’s Nanograph and Thrive’s Clear Fusion Grit were finally tested — which spin durability tier did they rank in? In this episode of KewCast, we test the Cyclone and Ignite/Clear Fusion grit technologies using accelerated wear testing, radar gun RPM testing, ball cannon analysis, and Starrett surface roughness measurements. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:50 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: PPA receives $225 million investment 6:49 Tama becoming superstar overnight 13:27 ALW dropped out of singles for Finals in San Clemente 15:46 Thoughts on “Partners” – New PPA Documentary 22:28 Article: Can you trust paddle reviewers because of different commissions? 39:14 Paddles of the Week: Gherkin Draco elongated and widebody 45:50 Warping Point Sophon 50:58 Aireo Cyclone with NanoGraph Grit 54:51 Pickle Poppers Pop N Pink 1:02:55 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Spin/Grit Durability Testing: Aireo Cyclone Nanograph & Thrive Clear Fusion Grit 1:10:59 Tales from the Ball Cannon Part 2: Comparing texture loss to spin loss (Starrett Results) 1:23:23 MPP Paddles & Disbonding 1:30:21 Kew & A: Do MPP or EPP foam cores offer better sweet spots at lower swing weights? 1:31:44 Could a rubber-like paddle face be legal under UPA-A rules if it passes all performance tests? 1:34:12 Does UPA-A test surface roughness, or only spin/RPM similarity testing? 👉 Products Mentioned in Podcast (Affiliate Codes): 🔹Aireo Cyclone (Nanograph) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/ybecf22t 🔹Gherkin Draco (all shapes) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/45n7nzk6 🔹Honolulu J2CR Blue Endurance Grit (code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://tinyurl.com/yc6p5wj6 🔹Honolulu J6CR Blue Endurance Grit (code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://tinyurl.com/mrxbkvjt 🔹11SIX24 Power 2 Series (code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://tinyurl.com/5npfvt9y 🔹Pickle Poppers Pop N Pink - take 15% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/46me5rts 🔹Thrive Ignite (Clear Fusion Grit) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/2wjk2c9c 🔹Chorus Coda with Harmony Grit - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/yrk7t94r 🔹Warping Point Sophon - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://warpingpoint.com/ In this episode, we also break down: •Texture loss vs spin loss •Rz vs Rt Starrett readings •Why some paddles lose spin faster than others •MPP vs EPP foam core discussion •UPA-A surface roughness testing •PPA Atlanta reactions •ALW singles withdrawal •Pickleball Inc.’s massive new investment •New paddle releases from Gherkin, Warping Point, Aireo, and more #pickleball #pickleballpaddles #johnkew #kewcast

What if I told you most paddles already max out spin… and more grit doesn’t actually increase it? And at the same time, new UPA-A rules could completely change how paddles are judged mid-match. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:33 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Proton is back 4:00 UPA-A is now nonprofit 501-C(3), and has new rulebook 4:27 Who is this rulebook for? 7:19 Paddle compliance 11:04 Weight modification - Slyce Slyders and Pickleclips are not allowed 12:00 Paddle Challenges 16:40 Spin Penalty 19:53 Ball interaction - no more blowing the ball over the net 21:48 Balls - No more stopping play or redo unless ball is SERIOUSLY damaged 22:51 Line Calls 26:10 Serve Rules 28:15 Video Challenges 29:05 Card System 31:37 What constitutes "unsportsmanlike" behavior? 33:53 Weird / Edge Case Rules 35:43 Will local tournaments eventually adopt UPA-A rules? 36:40 Key differences between USAP & UPA-A rules 40:11 Paddle of the Week: Honolulu J2CR LH Blue Grit 49:09 Tales from the Ball Cannon: We tested a rubber surfaced paddle…and it broke everything 55:09 The Spin Ceiling Explained 56:11 If roughness can't take you beyond the spin ceiling, why are grittier paddles better? 58:56 Why rubber breaks the spin ceiling 1:00:37 My experiment: high speed footage of ball spin with ping pong rubber 1:05:16 Testing spin with radar gun 1:06:20 Takeaway: Why RPM Numbers Cluster 1:07:14 Takeaway - what this experiment tells us about the future of paddle grit technology 1:17:50 Kew & A: Will future paddles reduce noise, or is sound an important feedback mechanism that’s here to stay? 1:20:13 Why does Eddie prefer the J6CR over the J2CR, despite typically favoring hybrid/widebody paddles? 1:22:00 Will pros start using durable grit paddles, or will they remain mostly for non-pro players? 1:23:07 Is yelling after an opponent’s error more unsportsmanlike than blowing the ball over the net? 1:25:21 Do higher RPM differences between arm vs. cannon testing correlate with swing weight or added rotational velocity? In this episode of KewCast, we break down the brand-new UPA-A rulebook and what it means for both pro and amateur pickleball—along with one of the most important discoveries we’ve ever made in paddle testing. We tested a rubber-surfaced paddle… and the spin numbers weren’t even close. Tennis Warehouse study by Crawford Lindsey (2023): “Pickleball Spin — Why Is A Rubber Hitting Surface Illegal?” 👉 https://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/pickleball/rubberpaddle.php This leads to a bigger question: 👉 Is there actually a limit to how much spin a pickleball paddle can produce? We explain the concept of the spin ceiling, why most paddles are already near it, and why durability might matter more than peak grit. Latest News / Gear Gossip: •Proton is back (kind of?) 👉 Charles & Brant IG post: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXiKc1IEeq_/ On the rules side, UPA-A is introducing major changes: 👉 https://upaa.unitedpickleball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-UPA-A-Rulebook-V0.7-4.20.2026.pdf •Ongoing paddle compliance (even after approval) •Paddle challenges mid-match •New serve enforcement standards •Strict rules on ball interaction (yes—blowing on the ball is banned) •A pro-style penalty system with cards and point penalties We also compare UPA-A vs USAP and ask the big question: 👉 Can both systems coexist—or will one take over the sport? 🧪 Topics Covered: •New UPA-A rulebook breakdown •Paddle compliance and performance drift •Paddle challenges and penalties •Spin ceiling explained (friction vs elasticity) •Rubber vs grit paddles (and why rubber is banned) •Why RPM numbers cluster •Durability vs peak spin performance •Future of paddle technology 🏓 Paddle Featured: •Honolulu J2CR LH Blue Grit 💬 Q&A Topics: •J6CR vs J2CR paddle preference •Future of paddle sound and noise •Will pros adopt durable grit? •Sportsmanship debates in pickleball •Cannon vs arm spin differences

Durable grit might be the biggest paddle innovation right now. We explain how it’s made, why it matters, and where it’s going next. In Episode 104 of the KewCast, we dig into the latest paddle tech, including how durable grit is actually made, what it costs manufacturers, and which brands are pushing the boundaries next. Plus, we break down new paddle releases, updated ball cannon spin data, and answer your questions about control vs power paddles, swing weight decisions, and more. If you're trying to choose the right paddle—or just want to stay ahead of where the sport is going—this episode is packed with insight. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:52 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Oncins/Black posted zero errors on serves, drives, and 3rds during gold medal match 6:25 Oncins blowing ball over net - poor sportsmanship? 13:07 Hunter Johnson's paddle throwing incident 15:20 JOOLA expands lawsuit to monetary damages 19:24 Paddles of the Week: Luzz Pro-Blade 2 24:03 Luzz Glider 28:49 Enhance MPP Turbo Widebody 34:14 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Generating Spin with Arm vs. Ball Cannon, Revised 44:59 Kew & A: As a 3.25 player struggling with pop-ups, is the J2CR Blue Grit too much compared to what I preferred in the J2NF? 47:25 What is durable grit made of, how is it applied, what does it cost to manufacture, and which brands are expected to adopt it next? 53:28 Why do some companies intentionally undersize paddle dimensions—does it help control overall weight and swing weight? 🔗 Products Mentioned in Pod (save on all with code JOHNKEW): 🔹Luzz Glider and Pro-Blade 2: https://luzzpickleball.com?sca_ref=10162045.DyVJzmd5hL 🔹Enhance MPP Turbo (release date April 15): https://www.enhancepickleball.com/JOHNKEW 🔹Chorus Coda with Harmony Grit: https://tinyurl.com/38nk37we 🔹Honolulu J2CR Blue Endurance Grit: https://tinyurl.com/yc6p5wj6 🔹Honolulu J6CR Blue Endurance Grit: https://tinyurl.com/mrxbkvjt 🔹Selkirk Boomstik (code INF-JOHNKEW): https://tinyurl.com/5dcka9sy 🔹Six Zero Coral: https://tinyurl.com/yc2sru9u 🔹Spartus P1: https://tinyurl.com/yzd5t7rx

What if you had to pick just 3 paddles for ANY player in the world, without knowing skill level or preferences? In this episode of KewCast (Episode 103), we break down the safest bets, plus the latest paddle drops, PLUS we pit Honolulu Blue Grit up against all the other durable grits. And in one of our most fun segments yet, we chose famous musicians who reminded us of the top 20 pickleball pros. This one gets surprisingly deep… and a little chaotic. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:22 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Elongated shapes now available for CRBN Barrage 2:47 Paddles of the Week: NOX X-Foam 9:14 Engage X2 14:03 Head to Head: Honolulu Blue Grit vs. 11SIX24 Hex Grit vs. Spartus Permagrit vs. Chorus Harmony Grit 37:49 3 Paddles for Anyone 52:13 If pickleball pros were musical artists, who would they be? 53:49 Noe Khlif 56:10 Jade Kawomoto 57:34 Eric Oncins 58:51 Lea Jansen 1:01:13 Gabe Tardio 1:03:16 Parris Todd 1:04:38 Fed Staksrud 1:06:45 Kate Fahey 1:08:11 Andrei Daescu 1:09:59 Rachel Rohrabacher 1:11:10 CJ Klinger 1:12:41 Catherine Parenteau 1:13:35 Chris Haworth 1:14:57 Jessie Irvine 1:16:18 Hayden Patriquin 1:17:38 Tyra Black 1:18:38 JW Johnson 1:19:43 Jorja Johnson 1:21:29 Christian Alshon 1:23:01 Anna Bright 1:24:26 Ben Johns 1:26:37 Anna Leigh Waters 1:29:42 Kew & A: If brands invest in innovation (like Six Zero’s Diamond Tough grit), can they realistically stop copycats—and should we expect legal action? 1:31:17 Do Paddle Shapes Affect Power? Does the data show consistent power differences across shapes—like elongated paddles hitting harder than standard or widebody—and are any clear trends emerging? 1:35:43 Do lighter paddles actually help younger players, or could they limit development compared to standard or elongated shapes? 🔗 Products Mentioned in Pod (save on all with code JOHNKEW): 🔹11SIX24 Power 2 Series: https://tinyurl.com/yc6taeh5 🔹Chorus Coda with Harmony Grit: https://tinyurl.com/38nk37we 🔹Enhance MPP Turbo: https://tinyurl.com/mut2nnzb 🔹Engage X2: https://tinyurl.com/bdhr9ryv 🔹Friday Aura: https://tinyurl.com/3395yabc 🔹Honolulu J2CR Blue Endurance Grit: https://tinyurl.com/yc6p5wj6 🔹Honolulu J6CR Blue Endurance Grit: https://tinyurl.com/mrxbkvjt 🔹JOOLA Pro V: https://tinyurl.com/yc3p5hhj 🔹NOX X-FOam: https://tinyurl.com/ms4e8myc 🔹Selkirk Boomstik (code INF-JOHNKEW): https://tinyurl.com/5dcka9sy 🔹Six Zero Coral: https://tinyurl.com/yc2sru9u 🔹Spartus P1: https://tinyurl.com/yzd5t7rx Find all paddle data, rankings, and deals here: 👉 https://www.johnkewpickleball.com

This lawsuit could reshape pickleball paddle design overnight… Episode 102 of the KewCast breaks down one of the biggest moments in pickleball gear history — JOOLA’s ITC lawsuit targeting multiple paddle brands and technologies. We explain what the patents actually cover, why this isn’t just about “Gen 3” paddles, and how this could impact EVERYTHING from foam cores to hybrid designs. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:48 JOOLA lawsuit against 11 other paddle companies 23:21 PPA Hanoi Cup standout moments 27:54 Paddle of the Week: Thrive Ignite 34:06 Gear of the Week: JOOLA R4LLY Shoes 44:57 Deep Dive: Study on Grip Strength, Impact Location and Ball Speed 1:06:44 Kew & A: Franklin Aurelius for junior players (8–12)? 1:09:10 Paddle erasers: safe or damaging? 1:13:03 Can UPA ban blacked-out Proton paddles? We also dive into: Thrive Ignite (new full foam paddle) JOOLA’s new R4LLY pickleball shoes PPA Hanoi Cup takeaways And a fascinating study showing grip strength might NOT matter for power Key Topics 🔹 JOOLA lawsuit explained (ITC, patents 826 & 891) 🔹 Brands and paddles named in the complaint 🔹 Could foam + hybrid cores be restricted? 🔹 Thrive Ignite paddle breakdown 🔹 JOOLA R4LLY shoe tech + weight comparison 🔹 PPA Hanoi Cup observations 🔹 Grip strength vs ball speed (Technical Pickleball study) Podcast Takeaway At the sweet spot, the ball is gone before your grip even has time to matter — impact location is doing almost all the work. Helpful Links 🔹Technical Pickleball Study: https://www.technicalpickleball.net/grip 🔹Thrive Ignite: save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://thrivepb.com?sca_ref=5609835.GqRRIIgfl9 🔹JOOLA R4LLY shoes (releasing in May): https://www.joola.com/?bg_ref=SGHmrvEFDJ

Pickleball just hit 24 MILLION players—but the biggest story right now is a pro paddle ban… In Episode 101 of KewCast, we break down the Proton ban (what we know vs what we don’t), why pickleball is still the fastest-growing sport in America, and what’s happening behind the scenes at the PPA. We also dive into new gear—including the Six Zero Coral Lightweight, Franklin C45 Aurelius, and the $400 Kobo Thunder Axe—and unpack one of the biggest debates right now: why spin results differ between the ball cannon and real gameplay. Plus: giveaway winners, audience Q&A, and what high-speed footage is revealing about pro-level mechanics. If you're into paddle tech, data-driven testing, and where the game is headed—this one’s for you. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:51 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Proton Banned from PPA 11:06 Pickleball the most dominant growth leader across all sports 16:52 John's experience at PPA Black Desert/Zion Cup 24:55 Winners of 100th Episode Paddle Giveaway 29:22 Top 10 Favorite Podcast Moments (From Audience Responses) 35:59 Paddles of the Week: Six Zero Coral Lightweight 42:10 Franklin C45 Aurelius (ALW) 50:34 Kobo Thunder Axe 1:04:07 Gear of the Week: Babolat Jet Mach 4s 1:07:48 Update: Blumaka Konnect Insoles 1:10:08 Selkirk Legacy shoes 1:13:29 What we're learning from high-speed footage of pros 1:20:41 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Another high speed camera down :( 1:25:56 Kew & A: Could premium brand perception and industry consolidation sustain $300 paddles even without clear performance advantages—and would a failure from JOOLA challenge that idea? 1:27:52 Could differences in paddle head speed—driven by swing weight and maneuverability—explain why spin results vary between your arm tests and the cannon? 1:29:56 Is comparing cannon RPM to serve RPM misleading since real shots involve incoming ball speed—potentially changing average contact speed compared to serves, drives, or drops? 1:32:24 Should we all play with the same paddle to keep pickleball simple, affordable, and focused on skill over equipment? 1:35:36 How can Life Time sponsor the PPA as the official ball if it can’t keep products in stock—and shouldn’t there be a more reliable partner? Products discussed in podcast: 🔹Babolat Jet Mach 4 Shoes: save 20% with code JOHNKEW at checkout: https://www.babolat.com/us/jet-mach-4-all-court-men/30S26629B.html 🔹Blumaka Nonslip Performance Insoles: save 20% with code JOHNKEW: https://blumaka.com/products/nonslip-insoles?sca_ref=9901941.bcFPwzuTR4v 🔹Franklin C45 Aurelius Anna Leigh Waters: save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://franklinsports.sjv.io/OYYNEn 🔹Kobo Thunder Axe: save 15% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.kobopickleball.co/JOHNKEW 🔹Selkirk Legacy Pro Shoes: receive $20 digital gift card with code INF-JOHNKEW: https://www.selkirk.com/collections/legacy-pro-shoes?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv 🔹Six Zero Coral Lightweight: save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/coral-16mm-lightweight?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q

In KewCast Episode 99, John Kew and Eddie take a deep dive into one of the biggest questions in pickleball paddle technology: Do “durable” grit surfaces actually last longer? Using a ball cannon, high-speed camera, and controlled spin testing, John runs a durability experiment comparing modern permanent grit technologies against traditional raw carbon fiber surfaces. Paddles tested include: • 11SIX24 Hex Grit • Six Zero Diamond Tough Grit • Spartus PermaGrit • Selkirk InfiniGrit • Raw Carbon Fiber (control) Each paddle was tested brand new, then struck 100 times at ~70 mph before measuring spin loss. The results reveal major differences in spin durability, with some surfaces losing 4× less spin than traditional carbon fiber. We also cover: • New Gearbox GBX Power Gen-3 paddle • JOOLA Cosmos vs Gearbox GBX Power comparison • Paddle feel profiles and power differences • Upcoming paddle shapes from Friday Pickleball • Q&A on Coral vs J2CR and foam paddle alternatives If you’re wondering how long modern paddle surfaces really last, this episode reveals the first lab-style durability data. Chapters 0:00 Episode intro 3:52 Latest News/ Gear Gossip - Andrei Daescu now with CRBN 5:50 11SIX24 Power 2 Hurache-X and Pegasus shapes UPA-A approved 7:14 Paddles of the Week: JOOLA Pro V vs. Gearbox GBX Power 20:31 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Testing Durable Grits 40:57 Kew & A: Coral Hybrid vs. J2CR for power and control— which would you pick? 42:44 Friday Aura vs. Enhance EPP Turbo—and will the Aura Pro get hybrid or widebody versions? 45:27 My Agassi Pro 14mm core crushed—what full-foam paddle with a similar shape should I try? Products Discussed (includes affiliate links): 🔹11SIX24 Power 2 Series – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://11six24.com/?sca_ref=5460250.6fDhFP0v1v 🔹Friday Aura Pro – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.fridaypickle.com/JOHNKEW 🔹Gearbox – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/48vIn2p 🔹JOOLA Kosmos Pro V: https://www.joola.com/?bg_ref=SGHmrvEFDJ 🔹Selkirk – digital gift cards with code INF-JOHNKEW: https://www.selkirk.com?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv 🔹Six Zero – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.sixzeropickleball.com?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q 🔹Spartus P1 – save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com/johnwilliams Subscribe for more pickleball paddle science, lab testing, and gear analysis.

In KewCast 96, we cover the latest pickleball gear news, new paddle releases, spin durability testing results, and answer some great listener questions. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 4:16 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: JOOLA Pro V Teasers 11:30 Pickleball comedy 'The Dink', produced by Ben Stiller; debuts on Apple TV in July 12:47 Paddles of the Week: Update on Apes Joy break-in 21:01 Maverix Havik 2 29:19 Enhance MPP Turbo 37:36 Tales from the Ball Cannon: New spin durability testing methodology 47:02 Accelerated break-in coming soon 53:08 Kew & A: Please create a video about the paddle with most durable grit on the market after extended testing for us: Spartus P1 or 11six24 Power2 53:48 Even though testing RPM with a cannon and clamped paddle produces less RPM than your arm, do you trust the results of the cannon more? 58:02 A player drilling outdoors in cold weather compares LT and Selkirk S1 pickleballs, noting that LT stays lively, durable, and round in all weather, while Selkirk is very durable but can temporarily go out of round when hit hard in cold temperatures. 1:00:26 A user asks whether the Franklin ball’s tendency to become less perfectly round could increase its dip after leaving the paddle by enhancing the Magnus effect compared to a more consistently round LT ball. Products mentioned in pod: 🔹 11SIX24 - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://11six24.com/?sca_ref=5460250.6fDhFP0v1v 🔹Enhance - take $25 off with code JOHNKEW: https://enhancepickleball.com/discount/JOHNKEW?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fpaddles 🔹Maverix - take 15% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.maverixpickleball.com/ 🔹Pickleball Apes - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.pickleballapes.com?sca_ref=4876737.4JZ4MIHBSA 📰 Latest News • JOOLA Pro V confirmed for March 3 release • Honeycomb graphics + flex references • Pickleball comedy “The Dink” coming to Apple TV 🏓 Paddles of the Week • Apes Joy update (break-in + release info) • Enhance MPP Turbo launch details 🎯 Tales from the Ball Cannon 📏We’re building a repeatable spin durability testing protocol: • Paddle locked at 30° • 100 impacts @ 70 MPH • Example Result: • Vatic Saga Flash • New: 1,906 RPM • After 100 impacts: 1,565 RPM • Loss: -341 RPM 📏Controlled accelerated break-in • 550 Newton applied force • 80 impacts @ 50 MPH We also discuss how grit durability testing is evolving and how this could shape 2026 paddle innovation. 🗣 Q&A Topics • Most durable grit: Spartus P1 vs 11six24 Power2 • Stationary paddle spin vs player-generated spin • LT vs Selkirk S1 vs Franklin ball durability • Does ball distortion increase Magnus dip? Thanks for listening to KewCast. See you in the lab. 🎧 Listen, learn, and nerd out with us. 📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎧 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram 🐦 Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter

In KewCast Episode 95, we dive deep into pickleball gear rumors, new paddle releases, and high-speed spin science using real ball-cannon data and flight modeling. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 - Intro 02:22 - Latest News/ Gear Gossip - Rumors about the JOOLA Pro V 09:16 - Paddles of the Week: Apes Joy 19:41 - Enhance EPP Turbo 27:15 - Gear of the Week: Selkirk Court Strike shoes (2.0) 37:23 - Tales from the Ball Cannon: Direct Spin Testing with Ball Cannon 40:02 - Here's why different paddles have different launch angles 50:30 - Using ball cannon to compare spin on a new Six Zero Coral to a used one 52:42 - Does the LifeTime ball actually get less spin than the Franklin X40? 54:15 - Kew & A: Because the LT ball springs off the paddle so quickly, can that explain why it gets less spin? 56:39 - Am I the only one who thinks full foam paddles are too poppy and hard to control, and which ones are closest to Gen-3 paddles? 01:00:26 - On the question of the LT ball in cold weather taking bad bounces and cracking 01:02:33 - Your thoughts on the specs (dimensions) of Anna Leigh Waters Signature C45° Paddle Series - would you play with those specs? Products mentioned in pod: 🔹 Pickleball Apes - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.pickleballapes.com?sca_ref=4876737.4JZ4MIHBSA 🔹Enhance - take $25 off with code JOHKEW: https://enhancepickleball.com/discount/JOHNKEW?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fpaddles 🔹Selkirk - Receive digital gift card up to $40 with code INF-JOHNKEW: https://www.selkirk.com?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv We start with the latest JOOLA Pro V rumors — including release timing, price, shape changes, and what isn’t changing from the Pro IV. Then we break down two Paddles of the Week, including new full-foam EPP designs, shape updates, and pricing. But the heart of this episode is spin. Using a ball cannon, high-speed video, and aerodynamic modeling, we show how launch angle, paddle surface, and spin rate completely reshape ball flight — from net clearance to landing depth. A 6-degree change in launch angle can add nearly two feet of net clearance and move the landing point by over four feet on the other side of the court. This episode explains why spin isn’t just about RPM — it’s about trajectory, dip, and control. 📰 Topics Covered • JOOLA Pro V rumors: Gen-3 flex system, new “Cosmos” shape, pricing & release timing • Apes Joy paddle: Full foam EPP/EVA core, CFA layup, new S+ shape • Enhance Pickleball Turbo: EPP vs MPP foam options and shape lineup • Selkirk CourtStrike 2.0 shoes (FTC-compliant impressions) • Ball cannon spin testing: New vs used paddles • Launch angle vs spin RPM (16° vs 20° = massive differences) • High-speed video analysis of ball rotation and paddle interaction • Magnus effect, dip, and drag in pickleball flight modeling • LT vs Franklin X-40 ball spin behavior • Community Q&A and wrap-up discussion 🔬 Key Data Highlights • 16° launch angle: ~1,185 RPM • 20° launch angle: ~2,192 RPM • Same ball speed, 21 inches more net clearance • Landing points separated by 53 inches • Spin reshapes the entire ball flight, not just bite This episode blends lab data, real-world play, and physics-based modeling to explain what players actually feel on the court — and why.

In this episode of the podcast, we break down the latest pickleball news, give our impressions of the new Honolulu J6CR, and take a deep dive into spin testing methodology using high-speed cameras and lab tools. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:33 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Updates on pro paddle sponsorships 7:49 Interesting pro partnerships for Masters 14:43 Paddles of the Week: Gherkin Draco 23:32 Honolulu J6NF 37:51 Where popular paddles fall on the new Feel Chart 43:10 Tales from the Ball Cannon - using the cannon and high speed camera to measure spin RPM 53:13 Is dwell time real? High speed video evidence 1:07:07 Kew & A: Why not try a UPA-style spin test ? Seems like this sort of test could remove variability in serve technique over time. 1:08:29 Will the Z scores be overlayed or comparable between paddles similar to the way the radar charts could be overlayed? 1:10:11 What’s the KewCor on the E6 Zephyr? 1:11:02 Is there any evidence that paddle cleaners actually can prolong the life of carbon fiber surfaces on paddles? 1:12:45 Am I dumb for leaving my pickleball bag and paddles in my car during the winter?? 1:14:42 Does swing weight acutally affect spin RPM? Recommend filtering database to paddles of the same model with different thicknesses, and re-running the test. Products mentioned in pod: 🔹 Honolulu J6CR - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://808pickle.com/products/j6cr?sca_ref=4978161.g3fNpksoBn 🔹 Gherkin Draco - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.gherkinusa.com/products/draco?sca_ref=10051505.1mdqlhmR9j We start with pro sponsorship and partnership rumors, including reported changes involving Anna Leigh Waters, Andre Daescu, Gabe Tardio, and several interesting doubles pairings heading into upcoming Masters events. Next, we cover our Paddles of the Week, including: The Gherkin Draco, a new self-sourced nanocellular polymer (NCP) foam. A breakdown of the Honolulu J6CR, its design and technology. We also place popular paddles on a feel chart to visualize how different designs compare in real-world play. Then it’s time for Tales from the Ball Cannon, where we explore spin testing using a Freefly Wave high-speed camera, controlled paddle angles, and a lab-style setup. We discuss why the data shows a concave-down trend, what that means for RPM, and how dwell time, swing weight, and paddle thickness may interact in ways players don’t expect. Finally, we jump into a packed Q&A, covering: • UPA-style spin testing vs cannon-based testing • Why percentiles can be misleading and how Z-scores may offer better comparisons • KewCOR numbers for underrated paddles • Whether paddle cleaners actually extend carbon fiber surface life • If leaving paddles in your car during winter is a terrible idea • A scientist’s critique of spin vs swing-weight assumptions — and why dwell time might complicate everything We wrap things up with final thoughts, observations from ongoing testing, and a few personal anecdotes. If you enjoy data-driven paddle reviews, pickleball gear science, and behind-the-scenes testing, this one’s for you. 👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments — they may end up in a future episode. 🎧 Listen, learn, and nerd out with us. 📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎧 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram 🐦 Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter

In Episode 91 of the KewCast, we break down one of the wildest weeks in pickleball—from Anna Leigh Waters’ paddle sponsor shake-up, to pro contract drama, to where paddle technology is heading in 2026. John also shares some exciting news about new lab gear, and updates to the paddle database. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 4:10 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Anna Leigh Waters and PaddleTek split. Next sponsor? 14:13 Dekel Bar signs with 11SIX24 18:16 Gabe Tardio leaving PIKKL 21:42 Quong Duong leaving Sypik 22:24 Vivienne David & Thomas Wilson leaving CRBN 27:19 Parris Todd fined $50K & suspended for 2 events 29:25 Paddle of the Week: Mark 02 R3 43:48 2026 Predictions: Pro Scene 44:25 Best Men's Player 45:27 Best Women's Player 46:41 Men's Zero to Hero 50:12 Women's Zero to Hero 53:24 Will Quang Duong sign a new contract with the PPA? 55:29 Paddle Predictions: Will foam be king at end of 2026? 59:15 Honeycomb polypropylene: continue to decline, or resurgence? 1:00:43 Biggest driver of paddle innovation for 2026? 1:06:51 Will USAP develop direct spin testing and eliminate/alter Starrett limits? 1:10:52 Paddle testing – less controversy in 2026? 1:15:22 What will be the biggest durability issue? 1:16:38 Innovation (currently unknown) that will become popular in 2026? 1:21:00 What will JOOLA’s next big hit look like? 1:24:57 Will Selkirk have another hit as big as the Boomstik? 1:28:29 Will CRBN have another hit as big as the TruFoam Genesis? 1:30:47 Deep Dive - Big things in the works for the paddle database and metrics We start with the latest gear gossip and pro news, including the ALW–PaddleTek split, what paddle she should play with next, and why she’s been spotted using Franklin gear. We also dive into major sponsor moves involving Gabe Tardio, Quang Duong, Dekel Bar, Vivienne David, and Thomas Wilson, plus the implications of Parris Todd’s suspension. Then we put the Paddle of the Week under the microscope—the Mark 02 R3, a full-foam design using floating EPP in EVA, internal voids, and reinforced neck foam that delivers a connected, semi-dense feel without going mushy. From there, it’s full 2026 prediction mode: Will foam still dominate paddle design? Is honeycomb polypropylene officially on the way out? What will be the biggest durability and testing controversies? Will USAP change spin testing standards? Could 3D-printed foam and elastomeric cores become the next big thing? We also get nerdy with data science, explaining why we’re shifting from percentiles to Z-scores for paddle metrics—and why that matters when RPM differences are small but clustered. Finally, we wrap up with listener Q&A, paddle shape discussions, swing-weight variability, and how we stay sane while constantly demoing new paddles. This one’s packed - nearly 2 hours long! Only the diehard will listen front to back. 🎧 Listen, learn, and nerd out with us. Keywords / Topics Covered: pickleball podcast, ALW paddle sponsor, foam pickleball paddles, 2026 pickleball predictions, paddle technology, spin testing, full foam paddles, Mark 02 R3, paddle durability, Z scores vs percentiles, pickleball gear news, pro pickleball contracts

In this, our last episode of 2025, we cover some juicy gear and industry news, including a patent infringement lawsuit, a few corrections from previous episodes, and each of our picks for the 2025 Pickleball Paddle Awards. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 1:40 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: CRBN Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Vatic Pro 5:40 Corrections: Spartus Permagrit is not using an epoxy-based peel ply 7:18 GRUVN paddles correction 8:30 Dink awards nominations are live: https://dinkawards.com/?ref=thedinkpickleball.com 10:07 Six Zero New Year Giveaway: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSq_QdxEdAw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 11:50 Paddles of the Week: Volair Shift 23:40 Enhance Duo Widebody 26:30 2025 Paddle Awards - John & Eddie's lists 1:04:38 Kew & A: What are your swing weight range recommendations for each paddle shape? 1:10:45 Clarification on what generates spin on PIKKL Pro Skins 1:13:46 If the sweet spot of the paddle face moves up according to where you hold the handle, what happens if you choke all the way up to the top of the handle? Is the sweet spot off the face of the paddle? 1:16:16 When will you do durability testing for Six Zero Diamond Tough grit? 1:17:36 Thoughts on the lensless glasses? Also, what happened to your plans to test glasses with ballistic gel head and cannon? 🏆 Paddle Award Highlights • Paddle of the Year • Best Power Paddle • Best All-Court / Control Paddle • Most Influential Paddle • Core Science Award • Best Paddle Innovation • Best Value Paddle • Best Paddle & Training Accessories • Eddie's own "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" Award 👇 Links ▶️ Full Kew Paddle Awards video: https://youtu.be/V-YERD0UdL4 📌 Dink Awards nominations are now live: https://dinkawards.com/ 📌Six Zero’s New Year paddle giveaway details: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSq_QdxEdAw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 🔹 11SIX24 Alpha Pro Power – use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://11six24.com/collections/alpha-pro-power?sca_ref=5460250.6fDhFP0v1v 🔹 Bread & Butter Loco – use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/55PRPo 🔹 CRBN TruFoam Genesis – use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://www.crbnpickleball.com/discount/JOHNKEW 🔹 Gearbox GX2 Power – use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://gearboxsports.com/collections/gx2-series/products/gx2-power-hybrid-limited-edition?rfsn=7659766.b5c963 🔹 Honolulu J2FC+ – use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://808pickle.com/products/sword-shield-j2fc-plus?sca_ref=4978161.g3fNpksoBn 🔹 Honolulu J2NF – use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://808pickle.com/products/sword-shield-j2fc-beta-pre-order-copy?sca_ref=4978161.g3fNpksoBn 🔹 JOOLA Pro IV Perseus: https://joola-usa.myshopify.com/products/joola-perseus-iv-16mm-pickleball-paddle-1?bg_ref=SGHmrvEFDJ&utm_source=John%20Williams&utm_medium=ambassador&utm_campaign=Influencer%2010 🔹 Luzz Inferno – use code JOHNKEW for 15% off: https://luzzpickleball.com/collections/all/products/luzzpickleball-pro-4-inferno-mpp-pickleball-paddle-large-sweet-spot-durable-core?sca_ref=10162045.DyVJzmd5hL 🔹 PaddleTek – use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://www.paddletek.com/6xAhP5 🔹 Selkirk Boomstik – use code INF-JOHNKEW for $40 digital gift card: https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-labs-project-boomstik?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv 🔹 Six Zero Black Opal – use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://www.sixzeropickleball.com/products/black-opal-14mm?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q 🔹 Six Zero Ruby Pro – use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://www.sixzeropickleball.com/products/ruby-pro-14mm?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q This episode is perfect for pickleball gear nerds, competitive players, and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of what’s really happening behind the scenes in paddle development and the pickleball industry at large. If you enjoy lab-tested reviews, honest discussion, and zero hype, you’re in the right place. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop your own Paddle of the Year pic

In this week’s episode of the podcast, we dig deep into some of the things that drive pickleball paddle performance, backed by lab testing and real-world experimentation. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:45 Kitchen poll verifies ‘enthusiast’ paddles are more prevalent than SFAI-DUPR study 7:49 UPA terminates contracts of James Ignatowich, Ryan Fu, Viv Glozman 14:01 Close call with a ball to the eye - saved by safety glasses 18:08 Updates on Boomstik Infinigrit vs Luzz Inferno spin durability 26:53 How much does Dwell account for Spin? Experiment using PIKKL skins 39:45 Deep Dive: Choking up on your paddle at the kitchen improves hand speed, but it also changes your paddle’s sweet spot 54:19 Tip of the Week: Think less about technique and more about footwork 1:00:00 Kew & A: Boomstik really needs a "consumer" version that's like $220-250 1:01:57 Curious to see if Slyce Slydrs cause stress/edgeguard issues like the MOI system on Boomstik paddles. Same concept essentially. 1:03:19 Which full foam paddles play like or closest to Joola Gen 3 paddles, in terms of feel? 1:08:30 How many weeks until the Honolulu J6CR replaces the Boomstick on your list mr kew???? 1:11:20 Do you predict 2026 trend will be all brands chasing the longer-lasting grit? ▶️ We start with a new poll from The Kitchen, asking a simple question: ➜ “What was the last paddle you purchased?” With nearly 400 responses, the results tell a very different story than the earlier SFIA–DUPR industry study. While Selkirk and JOOLA still lead the pack, enthusiast brands like Bread & Butter, Ronbus, Vatic, Honolulu, Luzz, Friday, RPM, and 11SIX24 collectively account for roughly 32% of recent purchases — a meaningful shift in the market. ▶️ From there, we dive into spin durability testing, comparing brand-new vs used paddles, including the Selkirk Boomstik and Luzz Inferno, to see how much RPM is actually lost after dozens of hours of play. ▶️ We also explore one of the most debated topics in pickleball right now: ➜ How much does dwell time really contribute to spin? Using controlled testing — including PIKKL skins and even a wooden paddle — we isolate dwell from grit, swing weight, paddle thickness, and head speed to see what actually matters. ▪️ Spoiler: dwell helps, but not as much as you might think. ▶️ In our deep-dive segment, we break down what happens when you choke up on your paddle at the kitchen and how that changes: 🔹Hand speed 🔹Sweet spot location 🔹Center of percussion (COP) 🔹Where you feel vibration in your hand Using impact hammer data, G-force comparisons, and real physics (yes, including joules), we cover a new study from Technical Pickleball explaining what’s happening during a 25 MPH ball impact — and why it feels the way it does. ▶️ We wrap things up with a Tip of the Week ("Kew-Tip"?), a Q&A covering full-foam paddles, Boomstik pricing, edge-guard stress questions, and some final thoughts. If you like lab-tested pickleball gear, real data, and no-nonsense explanations, this one’s for you. 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned 🔹 Project Rudy Cutline Glasses (eye-saving moment): https://alnk.to/dLkuRnM 🔹 Clear Lenses: https://alnk.to/8tRLPyp 🔹COP Study (Technical Pickleball): https://www.technicalpickleball.net/cop 🔹Backpaddle Pickleball Footwork Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYmvlUMGM2I 🔔 Subscribe for weekly pickleball paddle reviews, lab testing, gear breakdowns, and honest analysis. 📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎧 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram 🐦 Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter #pickleball #pickleballpaddles #pickleballgear #pickleballreview #kewcast #swingweight #pickleballscience

In Episode 88 of KewCast, we break down new full foam paddles from Spartus, Holbrook, and GRUVN, and we discuss gear gossip, swing weight science, and viewer questions, all through a data-driven lens. 🔬 Free swing weight estimator tool: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/swing-weight-calculator Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:27 Latest News-Gear Gossip: Swing Weight Estimator tool published 6:47 ALW's New YouTube Channel 8:51 Paddles of the Week: new GRUVN full-foam paddles 18:25 Spartus P1 with Permagrit 27:23 Holbrook Fuze 36:15 Gear of the Week: Slyce SLYDRS 37:05 Blumaka Konnect Insoles 41:00 Eddie's Fun Fact - Pickleball's parallels to racquetball 48:36 John's Fun Fact: The quiet mind spots the loose thread 52:11 Kew & A: What are your preferred shapes for each of the picks on the leaderboard? 54:18 Is the Boomstik price warranted, given the issues with edge guards and face cracking? 56:02 Do we know how full foam paddles will handle cold weather? 57:44 Thoughts on not being able to lock-in to softer "catch and release" full foam paddles? 1:00:35 Regarding the survey by DUPR and Sports & Fitness Industry - how are none of the enthusiast paddle brands in their data? 1:02:23 What would a poll look like that breaks down the percentages of paddle shapes? 1:03:36 Why is there a grid pattern drawn on John's Loco? 1:04:29 Thoughts on the grit degradation on the Loco Products mentioned in the pod: ★Blumaka Insoles - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://blumaka.com/products/nonslip-insoles?_pos=10&_sid=357223863&_ss=r&sca_ref=9901941.bcFPwzuTR4v ★GRUVN - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gruvn.co?sca_ref=4937714.X1H4Uman8f ★Spartus - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://gospartus.com/johnwilliams ★Slyce SLYDRS - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/mrxypxuh What We Cover in This Episode 🔹 Swing Weight Estimator Tool 🔹 Paddles of the Week GRUVN MUVN 16HD • KewCOR: 0.38 • 8.12 oz | 116 SW | 6.8 TW • 16.2” x 7.8” GRUVN LAZR 16X • KewCOR: 0.41 • 8.0 oz | 118 SW | 6.4 TW • 16.5” x 7.5” • Updated middle-layer foam vs previous LAZR & MUVN builds Spartus P1 (Hybrid Shape) • Gen 4 floating foam core (EVA ring + EPP center) • Carbon fiber / fiberglass / carbon fiber layup • PermaGrit ceramic-hybrid grit, applied in the USA • ~116–119 SW | ~6.8 TW | ~8.1–8.3 oz Holbrook Fuze (Elongated & Hybrid) • Both versions clock in at 0.40 KewCOR • Notable swing weight & twist weight differences 🔹 Manufacturing & Grit Talk How PermaGrit is made, applied, and quality-checked 🔹 Gear of the Week Blumaka Foam Lock Max Cushion • $12 off with code (now ~$48) 🔹 Pro Pickleball Fun Facts Anna Leigh Waters launched a YouTube channel “In the Kitchen” cookie episodes with Anna Bright & Ben Johns spinach dip (yes, really) 🔹 Mental Game & Philosophy Takeaway from a personal story from Athens, Greece: It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. Why staying calm on (and off) the court is a force multiplier — and how mental clarity creates leverage. 🔹 Q&A + Wrap-Up Rapid-fire listener questions, final thoughts, and a few personal asides before closing out the episode. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly pickleball paddle reviews, lab testing, gear breakdowns, and honest analysis. 📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎧 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram 🐦 Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter #pickleball #pickleballpaddles #pickleballgear #pickleballreview #kewcast #swingweight #pickleballscience

Welcome back to Episode 87 of the show! This week we dive into the 2025 Pickleball Market Playbook, new paddle-usage analytics from the latest Sports & Fitness Industry Association study. We also do a head-to-head paddle battle for the Bread & Butter Loco versus the Six Zero Coral. Plus, swing weight prediction formulas. 2025 Pickleball Market Playbook: https://sfia.users.membersuite.com/shop/store/f147b189-00ce-c7a1-d05c-0b48e5ac09ac/detail Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:27 New study reveals paddle preferences among random sample of US population 35:26 Paddles of the Week: Bread & Butter Loco vs. Six Zero Opal 56:43 Paddle Leaderboard Updates 1:09:12 Predict your paddle's swing weight without a machine 1:19:21 Kew & A: Your top paddle choice in four categories: power, all-court, control, and just for fun 1:22:45 What's your opinion on the new Honolulu J6CR paddle? Products mentioned in pod: ★Bread & Butter Loco: take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/55PRPo ★Gearbox GX2 Power: take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/4mcs3tD ★Honolulu J6NF - 10% off using code JOHNKEW: https://808pickle.com/products/j6nf-pre-order?sca_ref=9901941.bcFPwzuTR4v ★Luzz Inferno: Take 15% off using code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com/products/luzzpickleball-pro-4-inferno-mpp-pickleball-paddle-large-sweet-spot-durable-core ★Ronbus Quanta - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.ronbus.com/quanta-series.html ★Selkirk Boomstik: get a $40 gift card using this affiliate link: https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-labs-project-boomstik?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv ★Six Zero: Take 10% off using code JOHNKEW, or at this link: https://tinyurl.com/3rkdsdb3 ★Thrive Fury - Take 10% off using code JOHNKEW: https://thrivepb.com/products/fury-hybrid-15-5-mm-gen-3-5-power-series-6-month-warranty-copy?sca_ref=5609835.GqRRIIgfl9 ★Vatic V-Sol Pro - $10 off with code JOHNKEW: https://vaticpro.com/products/v-sol-pro-16mm?sca_ref=3717419.wRxewY5VFb 🎧 Listen & Subscribe 📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎧 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram 🐦 Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter

👇 Timestamps & Topics 0:00 - Intro & Latest Pickleball News 3:25 - Updated thoughts on main paddles this week 19:06 - Gear of the Week: Neonic Sidekick bag 28:19 - Bodhi Backpack 32:14 - Holiday Gift Guide - Our favorite BF/CM deals 1:06:14 - Deep Dive - measuring paddle frame flex with digital force gauge 1:18:56 - Pickleball ball comparisons - ball cannon data 1:26:34 - Two Fun Facts (Deep Thoughts with John & Eddie) 1:33:25 - Kew & A: When tuning your paddle, what's your goal for swing weight & twist weight? 1:38:38 - Are the strips of carbon fiber along the sides of a paddle visible in x-ray preventing the core from floating? John & Eddie’s Favorite Black Friday–Cyber Monday Deals (Many stack with code JOHNKEW. Prices may vary during BF/CM windows.) $5 Gifts 🔹 Chorus 3g Lead Tape Pods – $3.00 https://tinyurl.com/bdzk8apw 🔹 Body Helix UV Arm Sleeves – $6.00 https://tinyurl.com/5n8b8pe7 🔹 Personalized Neck Bands (2-pack) – $6 https://amzn.to/48j8mep $10 Gifts 🔹 Bodhi Grips – 25% off Nov 28–30 https://tinyurl.com/2p8xkek4 🔹 PBEffect Tuning Tape – $10.50–$11.90 (stacks w/ JOHNKEW) https://tinyurl.com/ad2j6pah 🔹 PIKKL Pro Skins – 35% off https://tinyurl.com/75et9zvv 🔹 LT Pro 48 Balls, 3-pack – $11.69 https://tinyurl.com/mam6djm8 🔹 Gamma Librarian Balls – $11.69 https://tinyurl.com/c8eu5u49 🔹 Theraband Flex Bar – $12.74 https://amzn.to/44wNcYS 🔹 Custom Paddle Head Cover – $10 https://amzn.to/43NRQSb $20 Gifts 🔹 Pickleball Mindset by Dayne Gingrich & Jill Martin – $21.94 https://amzn.to/3JTKhCQ 🔹 Selkirk Lightweight UPF Hoodies – $20 (code INF-JOHNKEW) https://tinyurl.com/rjvdb2n6 🔹 Slyce Slydrs – $24 with BF + JOHNKEW stacking https://tinyurl.com/mrxypxuh 🔹 Giant Pickleball – $17.99 https://tinyurl.com/ykn892c7 $30 Gifts 🔹 Gherkin Blackout Prototype — $28.80 (Gen 3 Hybrid) https://tinyurl.com/4aztbpk6 🔹 Baller Performance Tee (B&B) https://tinyurl.com/mwyydv5k 🔹 Chorus Echo SX – $35.10 after code https://tinyurl.com/4ajpkmb3 🔹 Six Zero Outback Hoodie — $35 (50% off) https://tinyurl.com/9747yyjc 🔹 YETI 36 oz Rambler Bottle — $35 https://amzn.to/3XQAssp $40 Gifts 🔹 Chorus Supercourt SX – $44.10 https://tinyurl.com/mskwba3f 🔹 Blumaka Foamlock Insoles – $48 (code JOHNKEW) https://tinyurl.com/4utcnsas $50 Gifts 🔹 Chorus Phoenix Prototype 2-Pack – $99 https://tinyurl.com/y8xekdke 🔹 Chorus Shapeshifters – $50–$60 https://tinyurl.com/9ahbfw77 🔹 FORWARD Cross Court Sling – $80 w/ JOHNKEW https://tinyurl.com/53u568zn $100 Gifts 🔹 Ronbus Quanta – $89.99 w/ JOHNKEW https://tinyurl.com/3ufrpr3u 🔹 Vatic V-Sol Pro – $89.99 w/ JOHNKEW https://tinyurl.com/mr2svd6t 🔹 Neonic Sidekick Bag – $89 w/ JOHNKEW https://tinyurl.com/33r3deh6 🔹 11Six24 Jelly Bean – $80 w/ JOHNKEW https://tinyurl.com/2b6z7j88 🔹 Diadem Court Burst Shoes – $105 w/ JOHNKEW https://tinyurl.com/ycycy9ts 🔹 Yobow Massage Gun – $126 w/ JOHNKEW https://bit.ly/4iwvo67 $200 Gifts 🔹 11Six24 Alpha Pro Power – $150 w/ JOHNKEW https://tinyurl.com/45ehe29v 🔹 Thrive Fury – $160 w/ JOHNKEW https://tinyurl.com/493wpntv 🔹 Rudy Project Eyewear – 35% off (typically $130–$150) https://alnk.to/btqE6LE 🔹 ADV Backpack V2 – $225 w/ JOHNKEW + free gifts https://tinyurl.com/bdfz9btn 🔹 ADV Flex Backpack – $202.46 w/ JOHNKEW https://tinyurl.com/hkencyn4 🔹 Rudy Project Cutline Stealth – $194.51 https://alnk.to/dLkuRnM $300 Gifts 🔹 Selkirk Boomstik Regal (Presale 11/28) – $333 + $40 digital gift card (INF-JOHNKEW) https://tinyurl.com/2h49m3jy 🔹 Dink Master 3.0 – $280 BF/CM sale https://tinyurl.com/y55tsau9 🔹 SpinPro – $254 https://amzn.to/48Cwg5J 🔹 Briffidi SW1 – $250 https://www.briffidi.com/product/sw1/ Money Is No Consideration 🔹 Titan Ace or One Ball Machines — $350 off w/ JOHNKEW ($1,849–$1,949) https://tinyurl.com/2jhmevj4 🙌 Thanks for supporting the channel! More deals updated daily at: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/black-friday-pickleball-deals

Topics this week: paddle leaderboard shakeups, Black Friday/Cyber Monday updates, paddle testing insights, gear reviews, and a brand-new analysis of sweet spot consistency using ball cannon data. UPDATED Black Friday Paddle & Gear Deals: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/black-friday-pickleball-deals Summary of new deals this week: 🔥 11Six24 giving away $10K on the 20th (every dollar spent is an entry) – All paddles 20% off, plus 10% stack with code JOHNKEW: https://11six24.com/?sca_ref=5460250.6fDhFP0v1v 🔥 Bodhi – 25% off sitewide Nov. 28–30: https://bodhipickleball.com/?sca_ref=6485713.jagcSYeM4dlg3 🔥 Bread & Butter – starting now, use code BADABING to get Loco for $169.69: https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/55PRPo 🔥 JOOLA – Now to end of year: Pro IVs $230 (includes paddle cover and 3 balls); bundles (Perseus Pro IV + Tour Elite Bag + water bottle for $350; affiliate link: https://www.joola.com/?bg_ref=SGHmrvEFDJ 🔥 Titan ball machines – starting now, take $350 with code JOHNKEW: https://titanballmachines.com?sca_ref=8396817.xE0IjEU9l4 Thanks to our sponsor for this episode: Centerline Athletic Apparel • GripTek™ tech for better hand-drying • AirLite breathable moisture-wicking fabric • SPF protection 💸 20% off with code JOHNKEW: https://centerlineathletics.com/kewcast Technical Pickleball's study on sweet spot mapping: https://www.technicalpickleball.net/sweet-spot2 Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:57 New Black Friday Deals 8:30 Paddles of the Week – Update on Enhance Duo 15:16 Proton Peacock and new widebody Flamingo 21:16 Six Zero Coral 31:14 Paddle X-Ray Backlog 35:35 Paddle Leaderboard Update 56:30 Gear of the Week: Blumaka shoe inserts 1:03:52 Deep Dive – Study on Paddle Sweet Spot Mapping 1:14:09 Kew & A: Does the grit on the Luzz Inferno wear out more quickly than others? 1:16:30 Does the LT ball wear down paddle grit faster than others? Products mentioned in pod: ★Apes Charm - take 10% off at checkout with code JOHNKEW: https://www.pickleballapes.com/collections/charm-series?sca_ref=4876737.4JZ4MIHBSA ★Blumaka Shoe Inserts - save 20% with code JOHNKEW: https://blumaka.com/discount/JOHNKEW ★Bread & Butter Loco: take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/55PRPo ★Enhance: Take 10% off using code JOHNKEW: https://enhancepickleball.com/discount/JOHNKEW?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fpaddles ★Gearbox GX2 Power: take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/4mcs3tD ★Honolulu J6NF - 10% off using code JOHNKEW: https://808pickle.com/products/j6nf-pre-order?sca_ref=9901941.bcFPwzuTR4v ★Luzz Inferno: Take 15% off using code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com/products/luzzpickleball-pro-4-inferno-mpp-pickleball-paddle-large-sweet-spot-durable-core ★Proton - buy on Pickleball Central and get the maximum discount using this affiliate link: https://pickleballcentral.com/?oid=9&affid=7926664 ★Ronbus Quanta - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.ronbus.com/quanta-series.html ★Selkirk Boomstik: get a $40 gift card using this affiliate link: https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-labs-project-boomstik?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv ★Six Zero: Take 10% off using code JOHNKEW, or at this link: https://tinyurl.com/3rkdsdb3 ★Thrive Fury - Take 10% off using code JOHNKEW: https://thrivepb.com/products/fury-hybrid-15-5-mm-gen-3-5-power-series-6-month-warranty-copy?sca_ref=5609835.GqRRIIgfl9 ★Vatic V-Sol Pro - $10 off with code JOHNKEW: https://vaticpro.com/products/v-sol-pro-16mm?sca_ref=3717419.wRxewY5VFb 🎧 Listen & Subscribe 📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎧 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram 🐦 Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter

In Episode 84, John and Eddie cover gear gossip, tournament drama, and some of our most surprising paddle experiments yet. We break down the latest news from around the pickleball world, recap the biggest moments from Worlds, and test some of the most talked-about paddles—including new weight-mod options and paddle neck-flex research. In this episode, we cover everything from Warping Point paddles to Gearbox GX2 Power stiffness vs. flex experiments, plus a full update on the community leaderboard and our paddles of the week. If you love paddle tech, fun experiments, and hearing what’s coming next in the pickleball gear world… this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Products mentioned in pod: ★ Flik Weights - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://gd20a0-mc.myshopify.com/johnkew ★ Pickleball Apes - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.pickleballapes.com?sca_ref=4876737.4JZ4MIHBSA ★ Pickleball Central - automatically apply the best discount possible at checkout with this link: https://pickleballcentral.com/?oid=9&affid=7926664 ★ Six Zero - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://www.sixzeropickleball.com?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q ★ Slyce - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://slycesport.com?sca_ref=6327245.4GAmN4sm0v ★ Warping Point paddles - save 10% with code JOHNKEW: https://warpingpoint.com/ Chapters: 1:17 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: John's recap of Worlds 11:05 Paddles of the Week: Warping Point Rainbow 14:52 Warping Point NightShade 19:57 Warping Point Neon 24:20 Warping Point Phoenix (Tina Pisnik signature) 30:36 Gear of the Week: new Flik Weight accessories 33:42 Slyce SLYDRs 39:13 Tales from the Ball Cannon - Gearbox GX2 Power Neck Flex Experiment 47:04 Kew & A: Did the Six Zero Black Opal production model chnge enough to require recertification? 49:07 How does the Apes Charm compare to the Pulse? 51:04 What to do if you hit a weak, short return of serve? Come in or stay back? 54:43 What is your preferred weight setup on the Vatic V-Sol Bloom? 🎧 Listen & Subscribe 📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎧 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram 🐦 Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter 👇 Support the channel & save: ★ 11SIX24: Get 10% OFF using code JOHNKEW, or at this link: http://tinyurl.com/65zfxjb5 ★ Bread & Butter: Get 15% OFF your purchase using code JOHNKEW, or this link: https://tinyurl.com/5n956578 ★ Body Helix: Take 10% OFF with code JOHNKEW: https://www.bodyhelix.com/?ref=JOHNKEW ★ CRBN: Get 10% OFF CRBN using code JOHNKEW, or this link: https://tinyurl.com/47dvfre3 ★ Gearbox: Take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/48vIn2p ★ GRUVN: Take 10% OFF with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/5e5hyjer ★ Honolulu Pickleball: Get $20 OFF any Kevlar paddle using code JOHNKEW-KEVLAR, or 10% off any other paddle using code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/3Yl0OnI ★ JOOLA: Get 10% off of most products with code JOHNKEW: https://www.joola.com/?bg_ref=SGHmrvEFDJ ★ PaddleTek: Get 10% OFF your purchase with code JOHNKEW: https://www.paddletek.com/6xAhP5 ★ Pickleball Apes: Get 10% OFF at checkout using code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/4crabzvw ★ Pickleball Central: Get 10% OFF using code JOHNKEW: https://pickleballcentral.com/ ★ Ronbus: Get $20 OFF your purchase using code JOHNKEW: https://www.ronbus.com/ ★ Selkirk: Get digital gift cards up to $40 off with code INF-JOHNKEW, or this link: https://tinyurl.com/57np7947 ★ Six Zero: Get 10% OFF using code JOHNKEW, or at this link: https://tinyurl.com/3rkdsdb3 ★ Vatic: Get $10 OFF purchases up to $220, and $20 OFF above that using code JOHNKEW, or this link: https://tinyurl.com/mum92h26

The biggest deals of the pickleball year are here: Black Friday through New Year, and we’re breaking down what’s actually worth your money. From Selkirk’s 60% off sale to JOHNKEW discounts for Babolat, Engage, Holbrook, and Apes. Find the latest Black Friday Paddle Deals Here: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/black-friday-pickleball-deals We’re also diving into: 🔬 New updates from PBVision improve rating accuracy. 🧩 EPP + EVA hybrid builds in the new Enhance Duo paddle. 🧠 “Diced-Core” foam tech from Apes Charm and how it changes flex & rebound. 🎮 Paddle leaderboard updates – what John and Eddie are swinging now. 🎧 Fun Fact segment: Misophonia, the “brain short-circuit” behind emotional reactions to sound—and why it might explain why musicians feel music so deeply. ❓Q&A highlights from the community: power curves, PBCOR balance, and paddle weighting setups. Plus, John heads to PPA Worlds with JJ—3,500 players strong—and shares tactical insight for 4.0-level doubles (how to counter the shake-n-bake). 📅 Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:24 Black Friday Deals – Updates 4:52 John heading to Worlds this week - plans 9:49 PBVision Update 17:42 Paddles of the Week: Enhance Duo 28:34 Apes Charm 38:01 Paddle Leaderboard Updates 42:00 Gear of the Week: Franklin bags 48:00 Neonic Sidekick bag 51:17 Sqairz XRZ Shoes 54:27 Tip of the Week: Proactive 4ths 59:27 Two Fun Facts: World Series // Misophonia 1:05:07 Kew & A: Why is it that the top paddles for reviewers are not the ones pros use? 1:08:25 For a sweet spot curve, wouldn't it be better for the top of the paddle to have lower power than the bottom, because the top of the paddle is moving faster during the swing arc? 1:11:16 On the Boomstik it seems like the power goes up as you move to the throat. Would that help correct missed shots for the part of the paddle that isn’t moving as fast? 👇 Support the channel & save: ★Gearbox: take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/48vIn2p ★Body Helix: Take 10% OFF with code JOHNKEW: https://www.bodyhelix.com/?ref=JOHNKEW ★GRUVN: Take 10% OFF with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/5e5hyjer ★Honolulu Pickleball: Get $20 OFF any Kevlar paddle using code JOHNKEW-KEVLAR, or 10% off any other paddle using code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/3Yl0OnI ★PaddleTek: Get 10% OFF your purchase with code JOHNKEW: https://www.paddletek.com/6xAhP5 ★Pickleball Central: Get 10% OFF using code JOHNKEW: https://pickleballcentral.com/ ★Selkirk: Get digital gift cards up to $40 off (contingent on total price) with code INF-JOHNKEW, or this link: https://tinyurl.com/57np7947 ★JOOLA: Get 10% off of most products with code JOHNKEW: https://www.joola.com/?bg_ref=SGHmrvEFDJ ★CRBN: Get 10% OFF CRBN using code JOHNKEW, or this link: https://tinyurl.com/47dvfre3 ★11SIX24: Get 10% OFF using code JOHNKEW, or at this link: http://tinyurl.com/65zfxjb5 ★Bread & Butter: Get 15% OFF your purchase using code JOHNKEW, or this link: https://tinyurl.com/5n956578 ★Pickleball Apes: Get 10% OFF at checkout using code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/4crabzvw ★Ronbus: Get $20 OFF your purchase using code JOHNKEW: https://www.ronbus.com/ ★Six Zero: Get 10% OFF using code 10JOHNKEW, or at this link: https://tinyurl.com/3rkdsdb3 ★Vatic: Get $10 OFF purchases up to $220, and $20 OFF above that using code JOHNKEW, or this link: https://tinyurl.com/mum92h26 ★Vatic Saga Flash: Take $10 off this paddle with the code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/48V3yM4

In Episode 82 of the KewCast, John and Eddie break down their personal Top 5 pickleball paddle leaderboard — including the Gearbox GX2 Power Hybrid, Selkirk Boomstik, Luzz Inferno, Ronbus Quanta, and Six Zero Black Opal. We rate each paddle on power, control, feel, spin, and value — plus share our X-factor scores for connection and play style. Hear how these new foam-core and hybrid models stack up across the firepower-control spectrum, and which paddles truly deliver that balanced performance every player wants. ⚡Black Friday Deals Roundup (Updated Daily): https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/black-friday-pickleball-deals 💥 Gear Spotlight: Franklin ACV Pro shoes, Diadem Court Burst, and Bodhi Protour Duffel review — complete with capacity and materials breakdown. 🎾 Bonus Segment: “Tales from the Ball Cannon” dives into KewCOR sweet-spot consistency — what it means for performance maps and how it differs from vibration and feel. 🕰️ Fun Fact: We rewind to 2020 for a “Time Warp” look at how pro pickleball looked before the PPA and MLP boom — which pros were bigshots, and what paddles they used. 👉 Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:00 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Black Friday deals already coming - here's what to watch out for 8:57 Gear of the Week: Franklin ACV Pro Pickleball Shoes 17:53 Diadem Court Burst Shoes 21:35 Bodhi ProTour Duffel 25:29 Tales from the Ball Cannon - can we use KewCOR score across the paddle face to map sweet spot? 44:18 Time Warp: How far has pickleball come in just 5 years? 53:30 Paddle Leaderboard: John & Eddie's Top 5 Picks 1:36:48 Kew & A: What’s your initial feeling, J2FC+ long handle would be better or the Luzz paddles? 📦 Shop Deals on Products Mentioned in Pod → ⭐Bodhi - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://bodhipickleball.com/?sca_ref=6485713.jagcSYeM4dlg3 ⭐Diadem - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://diademsports.com?sca_ref=6541890.ZymzZY8Ua9 ⭐Franklin - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://franklinsports.sjv.io/WqZr1O ⭐Gearbox - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/48vIn2p ⭐Luzz - 15% off with code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com/ ⭐Ronbus - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.ronbus.com/ ⭐Selkirk - Digital gift card with code INF-JOHNKEW: https://www.selkirk.com?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv ⭐Six Zero - 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.sixzeropickleball.com?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q ⭐Vatic - $10 off with code JOHNKEW: https://vaticpro.com?sca_ref=3717419.wRxewY5VFb 🎧 Listen Everywhere → Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 💬 Drop your favorite paddle in the comments — and don’t forget to subscribe for weekly gear reviews, KewCast episodes, and exclusive discount codes like JOHNKEW for extra savings. #pickleball #pickleballpaddles #KewCast #pickleballgear #Selkirk #Gearbox #Ronbus #Boomstik #foamcorepaddle

In KewCast Episode 81, John and Eddie break down the biggest new stories in pickleball tech and gear. If you love deep-dive paddle analysis, pickleball gear science, and philosophical detours, you’ll love this episode. ⏱️ Video Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:10 🧠 PB Vision launches an AI-powered DUPR alternative — measuring how you play, not just whether you win 8:24 🥇 Atlanta Open singles recap — Lea Jansen, Parris Todd, Federico Staksrud, and the brutal grind of 5-game matches 🏓 Paddles of the Week: 10:31 Forge + Bond Runout – Fusion Fiber Technology, thermoplastic forged carbon, 100 % recyclable 19:36 Engage Alpha Pro – foam-injected, EVA-wrapped design with KewCOR 0.38 26:36 Engage Encore Pro V3.0 – cold-pressed carbon at an affordable $70 28:59 🔍 X-Ray catch-ups: Engage ProFoam, Adidas AdiPower, E6 Zephyr, Friday Fever 102, Honolulu J6NF 37:44 Luzz Inferno break-in 43:12 💡 Tip of the Week: Hunter S. Thompson’s advice — don’t chase goals, build a way of life 49:38 🤯 Fun Fact: the Fruit of the Loom Mandela Effect — did it ever have a cornucopia? 55:01❓ Kew & A: “Which foam paddles have the most consistent KewCOR across the face?” 📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎧 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow @johnkew.pickleball on Instagram 🐦 Follow @JohnKewPickle on Twitter #pickleball #pickleballpaddles #dupr #pickleballnews #kewcast #paddletech #pbvision #pickleballai #engagepickleball #forgeandbond #foamcore #huntersthompson #mandelaeffect

In KewCast Episode 80, John and Eddie dive into our favorite bags and backpacks, discuss the latest pickleball news, including the Uspenski scandal, talk about the new Adidas and Engage paddles, and examine how neck flex on a paddle affects PBCOR. ⏱️ Video Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:48 🗞 News & Gear Gossip: BMack, Samson, and Marcus launch the first PPA Pick’em Podcast 5:52 JOOLA 3S drops to $200 with new dual certifications 7:05 College Pickleball Boom: Alabama, Texas A&M, Maryland, Ohio State, Georgia & Michigan add major court expansions 11:20 UPA suspends Denis Uspensky for cheating & abusive behavior during a PPA Challenger Series match 16:01 Did Honolulu invent the floating EPP core used in all the most popular paddles right now? 21:46 🏓 Paddles of the Week: Adidas Adipower • Engage Full Foam • Friday Fever 102 • Thrive Fury Elongated 44:35 🎒 Gear of the Week | Bag Roundup - ADV Backpack • CRBN Sling Bag • FORWRD Sling • Ethos Venture Backpack ($230) • FORWRD Court Caddy ($325) • GRUVN Small Court Backpack • FORWRD Court Ranger ($175) • Six Zero Pro Tour & Performance Backpacks • CRBN Tour bag • Chorus Tour bag • Holbrook Podium Pickleball Bag 1:15:16 🔬 Tales from the Ball Cannon: How do stiff vs. flexy paddles score on PBCOR? 1:23:33 🎙 Eddie Unplugged — 20 Questions Get to know Eddie like never before — from his childhood and creative process to his philosophy on data vs. feel in paddle testing. 💡 Plus: John reveals his Myers-Briggs type (INTJ-A, “The Architect”) and what that means for how he approaches pickleball science and content creation. Use Discount Code JOHNKEW and Affiliate Links for Products Mentioned in Pod: ★ ADV: https://www.advtennis.pro/discount/JOHNKEW ★ Adidas: https://pickleballcentral.com/adidas-adipower-pro-edition-attk-14mm-pickleball-paddle/?oid=9&affid=7926664 ★ Chorus: https://choruspickleball.com?sca_ref=5913065.peNkMfPr6F ★ CRBN: https://www.crbnpickleball.com/discount/JOHNKEW ★ Engage: https://engagepickleball.com/products/profoam ★ FORWRD: https://forwrd.co/?ref=dqdbjrty ★ Friday: https://www.fridaypickle.com/JOHNKEW ★ GRUVN: https://gruvn.co?sca_ref=4937714.X1H4Uman8f ★ Holbrook: http://bit.ly/4fha6Xc ★ Honolulu Pickleball: https://808pickle.com?sca_ref=4978161.g3fNpksoBn ★ JOOLA: https://www.joola.com/?bg_ref=SGHmrvEFDJ ★ Six Zero: https://www.sixzeropickleball.com?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q ★ Thrive: https://thrivepb.com?sca_ref=5609835.GqRRIIgfl9 Stay Connected: 📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎵 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkew.pickleball/ 🐦 Follow on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JohnkewPickle

In KewCast Episode 79, John and Eddie break down whether handle flex changes PBCOR, and its affect on paddle performance. We review findings from Dr. Daniel Russell’s Penn State study on bat flex and explore how those insights apply to pickleball paddles. Plus, we test how pivot point placement affects PBCOR results in our Ball Cannon experiments — and the results might surprise you. Referenced Study: “Do Flexible Handles Affect the Performance of Baseball or Softball Bats?” 👉 https://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/bats/handle-flex.html ⏱️ Video Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:44 Adidas new paddles; signs CJ Klinger, adding to pro roster 3:14 Bread & Butter Locos shipping early to 3 JOHNKEW code users 4:38 Paddles of the Week: Body Helix Falcon 17:25 Element 6 Zephyr 23:26 Bread & Butter Loco Production Models 31:26 Tales from the Ball Cannon: what happens to PBCOR if you change the pivot point from 2- to 3-inches? 39:14 Deep Dive: Paddle neck flex and paddle performance 1:00:06 Kew & A: Eddie's 20 questions for John 1:09:46 If you’re launching a pickleball paddle line and HAVE to skip a shape, which one are you leaving out? Discount Codes for Products Mentioned in Pod: ★ Element 6: 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://e6pickleball.com/product/pro-series-16mm-zephyr/ ★ Body Helix: 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.bodyhelix.com/?ref=JOHNKEW ★ Adidas (on Pickleball Central): 10% off with this link: https://pickleballcentral.com/?oid=9&affid=7926664 ★ Bread & Butter: 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://breadbutterpickleballco.sjv.io/Qj390x Stay Connected: 📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎵 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkew.pickleball/ 🐦 Follow on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JohnkewPickle

In Episode 78 of the KewCast, John and Eddie break down the latest pickleball gear, paddle tech innovations, and tournament highlights you won’t want to miss: Topics Covered: –PPA Sacramento Vintage Open: Surprising performances from tennis pros like Jack Sock & Genie Bouchard –Paddle Deep Dive: Luzz Tornazo, Gherkin Wraith, RPM Friction Pro, Six Zero Ruby Pro, Diadem Edge BluCore, and more –Full-Foam Paddle Iterations: EVA, EPP, MPP & SCF foams explained—density, stiffness scaling, and real-world performance –Black Opal Break-In Updates: KewCOR scores before & after break-in –Fan Q&A: Wide-body power paddles, all-court vs control paddles for sub-4.5 players, and more Subscribe for more paddle reviews, tech insights, and pro tournament analysis every week! ⏱️ Video Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:10 LT Ball is in stock at PBCentral 3:59 Thoughts on wooden paddles used at PPA Sacramento Vintage Open 11:02 Paddles of the Week: Luzz Tornazo 17:24 Gherkin Wraith 21:13 RPM Friction Pro 27:14 Six Zero Ruby Pro 34:43 Diadem Edge BluCore 45:14 Chorus Phoenix 50:48 Chorus Tour Bag 53:40 Vatic V-Sol updates 1:05:28 Foam Deep Dive 1:20:05 Selkirk Court Strike Shoes 1:28:24 Update on Six Zero Black Opal Break In 1:33:10 Kew & A: Should paddle companies consult with reviewers before going to market with a paddle only to get killed by bad reviews? 1:40:45 Should we still be recommending less powerful paddles for beginner players when there's plenty of control in modern power paddles? 1:43:23 What do we do with all the paddles after we're done reviewing them? Discount Codes for Products Mentioned in Pod: ★Chorus Phoenix: 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://choruspickleball.com/collections/phoenix?sca_ref=5913065.peNkMfPr6F ★Diadem – 11% off with code JOHNKEW: https://diademsports.com?sca_ref=6541890.ZymzZY8Ua9 ★LT Ball: 10% off here – https://pickleballcentral.com/lt-pro-48-performance-pickleball/?oid=17&affid=7926664 ★Luzz Tornazo – take 15% off with code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com/products/luzzpickleball-pro-4-tornazo-carbon-fiber-pickleball-paddle-dual-layer-core ★Gherkin Wraith – take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: ★RPM Friction Pro – 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://rpmpb.com/products/rpm-friction-pro-16mm-pickleball-paddle ★Selkirk Court Strike shoes – use code INF-JOHNKEW for digital gift card: https://www.selkirk.com/collections/courtstrike-pickleball-shoes ★Six Zero – take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.sixzeropickleball.com?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q ★Vatic V-Sol – take $10 off with code JOHNKEW: https://vaticpro.com/products/v-sol-pro-16mm?sca_ref=3717419.wRxewY5VFb Stay Connected: 📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎵 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkew.pickleball/ 🐦 Follow on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JohnkewPickle

John and special guest Pickleball Will break down the latest pickleball paddle releases and give their first impressions on: –Six Zero Black Opal and Ruby Pro –Vatic V-Sol Pro & Power –Several more We also do a deep dive on why PBCOR doesn't change when you add perimeter weight to the paddle. ⏱️ Video Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:12 What's Will been doing? 13:54 Will's new paddle line 22:48 Paddles of the Week: Rapid Fire with Will 23:34 Franklin C45 Parris Todd 25:48 Bread & Butter Loco 28:21 Luzz Cannon & Inferno 32:24 Ronbus Quanta 34:03 CRBN TruFoam Waves 37:03 Vatic V-Sol Pro & Power 41:18 Six Zero Ruby Pro 46:51 Six Zero Black Opal 52:32 Deep Dive: Why does adding weight not make a difference to PBCOR? 1:01:17 Kew & A: Can you clarify how much the swing weight on the Ronbus Quantas went up after your perimeter weighting? 1:03:24 How does the Luzz Inferno compare to the Bread & Butter Loco? 1:06:46 Will's new bag collab: Courtside 1:08:59 ADV Flex Backpack Products Mentioned in Pod: ★Bread & Butter Loco - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/dvdvmhv6 ★CRBN – Use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://www.crbnpickleball.com/discount/JOHNKEW ★Franklin – Use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://franklinsports.sjv.io/WqZr1O ★Luzz Pro 4 Inferno – Use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: http://bit.ly/48ehxhF ★Luzz Cannon – Use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: http://bit.ly/47F9URk ★Ronbus Quanta: Take $20 off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.ronbus.com/quanta-series.html ★Six Zero – take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.sixzeropickleball.com?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q Stay Connected: 📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎵 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkew.pickleball/ 🐦 Follow on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JohnkewPickle

Episode 76 of the KewCast John and Eddie break down the latest pickleball paddle releases and give their first impressions on: –Honolulu J6NF/FC+ –Friday Fever Widebody –Pakle Evo-01 –Reload 14mm We also do a deep dive on the LT pickleball—comparing it to the Vulcan VPRO and Franklin X-40—to see how it performs in terms of speed, spin, and durability. Plus, we discuss the latest pro paddle shakeup at the PPA Tour, what it means for pro players, and how it could impact the game moving forward. ⏱️ Video Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:11 Paddle shakeup at PPA Cincinnati 9:00 Kawamoto Twins Upset Everyone 12:20 PPA Cincinnati Pick-Em Results: "Influencers" Battle 17:36 Other notable matches in PPA Cincinnati 19:40 Paddles of the Week: Honolulu J6NF and J6FC 26:14 Friday Fever Widebody 34:01 Pakle Evolution 01 38:44 Reload 14mm4 46:12 Ball Analysis: LT Ball vs. Vulcan vs. Franklin X-40 57:32 Gear of the Week: PIKKL Skins Products Mentioned in Pod: ★Friday Fever Widebody (Releases mid-October) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.fridaypickle.com/JOHNKEW ★Honolulu - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://808pickle.com?sca_ref=4978161.g3fNpksoBn ★LT Ball - https://pickleballcentral.com/lt-pro-48-performance-pickleball/?oid=9&affid=7926664 ★Pakle - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://paklepickleball.com/products/evolution-01-new-gen3-pickleball-paddle ★PIKKL Skins (Releasing 9/18) - take 20% off with code JOHNKEW: https://pikkl.com/ ★Reload - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://reloadpickleball.com/johnkew Stay Connected: 📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/u2t7a3uy 🎵 Listen on Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/57kv8de8 📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkew.pickleball/ 🐦 Follow on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JohnkewPickle

John and Eddie break down the major paddle shakeup happening at the PPAs after the new UPA-A rule regulations went into effect. 🏓 We share first impressions of the latest paddles hitting the scene: –CRBN TruFoam Waves –Luzz Pro-Cannon & Pro4 Inferno –Facolos Elite-X Plus, we dive deep into the Ronbus Quanta, including how adding weight affects PBCOR performance and whether it gives you that extra edge on the court. 🔔 Subscribe for more paddle reviews, gear breakdowns, and the latest pickleball news. UPA-A Certified Paddles List: https://upaa.unitedpickleball.com/approved-paddles/ Current list of which paddles pros are playing: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/top-pro-paddles Poll – your favorite pro player: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/poll-peoples-choice-pro-rankings Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 5:08 UPA-A Regs and Pros Scrambling for Paddles in Cincinnati 6:00 Selkirk Boomstik with MOI weights not allowed at PPA 12:38 Current status of paddles NOT approved for PPA pros 22:48 Unexpected paddles pros are playing with in Cincinnati 27:00 After years of dragging my feet, I'm now a fan of the MLP format 36:25 Paddles of the Week: Luzz Pro-Cannon 44:32 Luzz Pro4 Inferno 51:52 Facolos Elite-X 56:40 CRBN TruFoam Waves 1:01:33 Ronbus Quanta: Updated Thoughts Products Mentioned in Pod: ★CRBN – Use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://www.crbnpickleball.com/discount/JOHNKEW ★Luzz Pro 4 Inferno – Use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: http://bit.ly/48ehxhF ★Luzz Cannon – Use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: http://bit.ly/47F9URk ★ Pickleball Effect Tuning Tape – Use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: http://bit.ly/4gg2K88 ★Ronbus Quanta: Take $20 off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.ronbus.com/quanta-series.html

In KewCast Episode 74, John and Eddie discuss John's trip to China to visit faddle factories and production, the Ronbus Quanta, upcoming releases, and updates on spin durability and break-in on the Selkirk Boomstik and Gearbox GX2 Power. Take $20 off Ronbus Quanta with code JOHNKEW: https://www.ronbus.com/quanta-series.html Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:41 John's trip to China 2:46 Hong Kong and PPA Asia 8:07 Mainland China - Paddle Factories 14:36 Carbon Fiber Factory 15:52 Face Layup Factory 18:59 Foam Factory 24:31 James Ignatowich & Selkirk part ways; James starting new paddle company (RPM) 26:49 PPA Las Vegas: Thoughts on Alshon targeting Gabe with full send body shots 34:56 Honolulu Mystic Flood Relief paddle 35:49 CRBN Trufoam Waves launching 9-25 35:51 Gherkin – why no paddle for Eddie? 37:56 Paddles of the Week: Ronbus Quanta Series 51:48 ProXR Jolt 55:37 Are JOOLA Pro IVs still elite-tier firepower, or have they moved down to mid-tier? 1:00:37 Update on spin for Boomstik and GX2 Power 1:04:14 Update on Gearbox GX2 Power Break-In 1:06:28 Kew & A: Is Gen-3 Dead? 1:10:28 Will John do any more drum videos?

In KewCast Episode 73, John and Eddie discuss the remake of the Loco, Bread & Butter's first full-foam paddle, and we ask whether all the indoor pickleball facilities are sustainable. People's Choice Top Pros & Paddles: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/top-pro-paddles Vote for your favorite pro here: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/poll-peoples-choice-pro-rankings Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:51 Ben takes #1 from ALW on People's Choice Pro Rankings 4:44 New Paddle Sightings: Catherine playing with Boomstik 8:36 Will most pickleball facilities be closed in 10 years? 25:31 Paddles of the Week: Bread & Butter Loco, Redux 36:17 Future Deep Dive: Ball Cannon, Meet Ballistic Gel Head 38:02 Kew & A: What does Eddie mean when he says a paddle is 'buttery'? 40:41 Does the Honolulu J2NF have any kind of break-in? 42:25 Do we know the type of foam used in the SURTR? 44:27 Would you pay for the Boomstik with your own money? Products Mentioned in Pod: ★Bread & Butter: Take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/dvdvmhv6 ★Gearbox: Take 10% off GX2 Power with code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/4mcs3tD ★Honolulu: 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/yrxpcvur ★Selkirk - Purchase Boomstik here, and get a $40 Selkirk gift card with code "INF-JOHNKEW": https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-labs-project-boomstik?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv

In KewCast Episode 72, John interviews Tom Barnes of Selirk about the Boomstik. We talk about the MOI tuning weights, durability testing, and concerns about loose edge guards. Get The Selkirk Boomstik here, and get a $40 Selkirk gift card with code "INF-JOHNKEW" https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-labs-project-boomstik?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:17 Selkirk Boomstik Interview with Tom Barnes 2:42 How long did R&D take on the Boomstik? 4:42 What kind of metal is used on the MOI weights? 5:31 MOI Weights: Why This Weight, and Why This Location? 8:53 John's theory about the MOI weight and placement - is it true? 14:14 Are loose edge guards a concern on the Boomstik? 16:53 Is there a Boomstik without MOI weight approved at UPA-A? 20:24 Are there plans to release a Boomstik without the MOI weights? 21:36 Will the Boomstik be released as a main line paddle eventually? 23:29 What kinds of durability testing were performed on the Boomstik? 25:20 Is there a break-in period with the Boomstik? 27:25 Has Selkirk addressed the issue of disbonding with full-foam paddles? 28:25 Kew & A: Can you chart out how the Life Time Ball degrades over time? 34:30 How does the Boomstik compare to the Element 6 Surtr? 36:42 If you weighted up the Selkirk ERA exactly the same as the Boomstik, how would they compare? 40:17 How is the dwell time of the Boomstik compared to the Gearbox GX2 Power? 42:00 What's your choice betwen the Boomstik elongated vs. widebody?

In KewCast Episode 71, John and Eddie discuss the new Honolulu shapes, and give initial impressions on several other new paddles. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://johnkewpickleball.beehiiv.com/ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:15 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: LT Ball now official PPA ball 10:10 GRUVN LAZR Issues with Disbonding? 13:01 Poll results: podcast preferences 19:35 Anna Leigh Waters edged out Ben Johns again to claim #1 on People's Choice poll 26:53 Jaume Martinez-Vich playing with Adidas paddle 28:01 Chorus Phoenix will be released 32:46 Are the weird PBCOR results at USAP the result of the methodology, or the paddles? 36:40 Paddles of the Week: Honolulu J2NF long handle 42:04 Honolulu J7NF and J3NF 48:21 Mark 1X-R2 53:48 Proton Peacock 1:00:40 Whisper paddles - USAP quiet approved 1:05:58 Today's Paddles, Ranked By Firepower and Feel/Forgiveness 1:07:24 Hudef Apex 1:10:39 Back to Rankings of Power and Feel/Forgiveness 1:18:44 Kew & A: What does perimeter weighting do to pop on both stationary shots versus flicks/punches? 1:21:25 Boomstik vs. Gearbox GX2 Power: which one do you pick? 1:22:04 Should you pick a paddle that plays to your strengths, or helps with your weaknesses?

In Episode 70, John and Eddie discuss the latest pickleball news, and give our initial impressions of four new paddle releases: Selirk Boomstik, Franklin Pariss Todd C45, Thrive Fury, and Ronbus Refoam.

In KewCast Episode 69, John and Eddie consider top contenders for new mains after all the new paddle drops this summer. Gearbox GX2 Power Giveaway. Follow instructions at Instagram post here: (forthcoming) Pre-order GX2 Power here, and take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://bit.ly/4mcs3tD Wringer Apparel 24-hour code - 20% off with code KEW20: http://bit.ly/4kVkeaC New poll - what's your favorite podcast segment? https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/latest-poll Technical Pickleball study on Slyce Caps: https://www.technicalpickleball.net/speed-cap Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:23 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Vatic pulled Vcore launch 6:28 Ben Johns MLP Trade 8:19 New Poll: tell us what you like most/least about the KewCast 9:31 Paddles of the Week: Sypik Triton 15:00 Chorus Phoenix 22:03 Enhance Gen 4.5 27:50 Side Tangent: does a square patch of fiberglass in the center of the paddle cause inconsistency across the face? 31:17 Gearbox GX2 Power 37:46 Top two contenders for new mains 39:36 Gearbox GX2 Power Giveaway 41:30 CRBN TFG4 46:29 Deep Dive - Weighted Endcaps Don't Do What You Think They Do 56:16 Gear of the Week: Pickleball Effect Cap Coins 58: 40 Wringer Apparel - 24 hr code 1:01:27 Kew & A: How do you define the 'control' paddle category? 1:05:12 Kevlar is UV-sensitive. Is the sun bad for Kevlar-faced paddles? 1:08:05 If paddles get more powerful in the heat, don't balls get less springy? 1:08:53 Eddie's playing in a wooden paddle tournament - are there any good wooden paddles?

In KewCast Episode 68, special guest Zane Navratil stops by to give us the scoop on the Quang Duong/UPA-A situation, and John and Eddie discuss how heat and sunlight affect your paddles. . Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:38 Poll Results: How much control are you willing to sacrifice for power? 5:32 Does leaving your paddle out in the sun destroy it? 22:52 Paddles of the Week: Two All-Foam Powerhouses: Body Helix Flik & GRUVN LAZR 16HD 38:32 Zane Navratil Talks Quang Duong Contract Elimination 58:20 Kew & A: My main right now is the vapor alpha pro power. Is it worth getting the J2K FC+ or the NF? 1:01:04 For PBCOR, how much variability is there between the ball hitting on the hole versus between the holes? 1:03:33 Is there a way to measure a paddle's control? Products Mentioned in Pod: ★Body Helix: take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://www.bodyhelix.com/collections/pickleball-paddles/products/flik-gen-3-pickleball-paddle?ref=JOHNKEW ★GRUVN LAZR Solid Foam: take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: http://bit.ly/45NzFxT

In KewCast Episode 67, John and Eddie do a blind test to see if we can tell any difference between the Honolulu J2NF and J2FC+, and we do another ranking of firepower and forgiveness for all of the current all-foam paddles. Vote here for the People's Choice Pro & Paddle Rankings: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/top-pro-paddles New UMAP interactive paddle dashboard: http://bit.ly/4krAn7o Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:20 Ben Johns re-takes #1 Spot from ALW on People's Choice Poll 4:17 User-Submitted Paddle Analytics Dashboard 11:48 Paddles of the Week: Honolulu J2FC+ vs. J2NF 21:59 Firepower-Forgivness Ranking of All-Foam Paddles 25:22 Gear of the Week - Six Zero bags 44:17 Tales from the Ball Cannon - switching to a Life Time ball for paddle testing 56:19 Are Control Paddles an Endangered Species? 1:03:54 Kew & A: Has spin durability taken a back seat to power? 1:06:21 Is there an objective way to measure dwell time? 1:07:57 Where would you put the Selkirk ERA in firepower & forgiveness rankings? 1:09:00 I'm upgrading from a Vatic Prism Flash - Saga 14 or 16? 1:10:00 Does the fiberglass patch in the Body Helix Flik result in inconsistent response? 1:11:45 What's the round thing underneath John's hat bill?

In KewCast Episode 66, John and Eddie cover more of the upcoming releases, discuss the 'What's Your Main' poll results, and answer some viewer questions. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:58 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: GRUVN LAZR-16HD Solid Foam PBCOR Update 6:50 Poll Results: What's Your Main Paddle? 22:58 Paddles of the Week: Body Helix Flik F1 TerraCore XC 31:44 Vatic Pro VCore 41:09 Apes Harmony – production models 50:15 Ronbus Ripple V2 R5 55:46 CRBN4 TruFoam Genesis 1:00:31 11Six24 Alpha Power Production Model 1:06:09 Revolin Torch 1:11:05 PaddleTek Bantam GTO-C 1:18:22 Firepower Rankings for all the paddles discussed 1:23:00 Deep Dive - PaddleTek's Unique Surface Layup 1:29:07 Kew & A: Is there a metric for paddle plushness/ stiffness?

John and Eddie cover some of the pre-sales currently happening, solid performing all-foam paddles for under $200, reveal the Connor Garnett paddle giveaway winners, and discuss how to make all foam paddles even better. 📌 24-Hour Melin Discount Code! Use code JWILL20 for 20% off all Melin hats: https://alnk.to/apV7YLQ (Active noon MT Thursday, June 26 – Noon MT Friday, June 27) Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:04 New 24-hr Melin code 3:51 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: John's San Clemente PPA Experience 5:36 Jack Sock's Nasty Nelson 9:05 Connor Garnett comes back 0–10 against Jack Sock 10:58 Hayden Patriquin tells me why he prefers 16mm over 14mm C45 Dynasty 13:43 Observations on Jessie Irvine coaching Gabe Tardio 15:20 Thoughts on JOOLA discontinuing consumer discounts 18:03 Fed Staksrud and Adidas Split 21:03 ProKennex Black Ace RE-Listed? 26:18 Thoughts on Aizec's Holbrook Arma breaking 30:07 Why are JOOLA Pro IVs and Proton Flamingos core crushing? 34:40 GRUVN LAZR-16HD All Foam is available for pre-order 39:32 Honolulu J2NF on pre-order 46:05 Paddles of the Week: Gearbox GX2 Power 57:09 Avoura Rivelle & Revaya on pre-order 1:07:16 Connor Garnett Paddle Giveaway Results 1:13:41 Poll Results: Your Main Paddle 1:14:57 Gear of the Week: Rudy Project Eyewear 1:18:58 Deep Dive: Ideas on making the best performing all-foam paddle

In this episode, we look at the ProXR Protohypes that all their sponsored pros switched to, analyze poll results from last week about favorite pro paddles, and answer a bunch of viewer questions. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:08 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Franklin C45 Dynasty and Tempo Review 8:32 Holbrook Arma review - durability claims 15:25 Poll Results: People’s Choice Favorite Pro Paddles 20:04 New Poll: What is your Paddle Main? 21:14 Paddles of the Week: ProXR Protohypes XIX & XXI (played by Connor Garnett and Jack Munro) 31:16 ProXR Protohype VI (Played by Zane N., Kate Fahey, and Riley Newman) 35:10 Kew & A: Can you talk about sweet spot location on paddles based on shape and face size? 42:53 Clarifications on the differences between the original 11Six24 Vapor Power vs. the Alpha Vapor Power 44:39 Should pro tours customize ball performance for climate/location similar to Formula 1 tire selection? 47:38 Does using the same ball at all tournaments/climates make it more interesting because it opens the potential for cold weather/warm weather specialists? 49:12 Can we compare Anna Leigh Waters to Serena Williams? 54:07 If PBCOR is tests are biased towards full swing (power) rather than pop, then why did the Black Ace Pro fail?

In this episode, we compare the equipment costs of playing pickleball versus tennis, and answer the question: is tennis actually cheaper because you don't have to replace the racquet so often? Also, a newcomer to the elite power paddle category from a company you've never heard of: Element 6. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:50 Update on John's surgery 2:20 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Holbrook Arma Giveaway 5:08 GRUVN LAZR-16HD Solid Foam passed PBCOR 6:34 New CRBN TruFoam Waves paddles 8:02 Help us update Latest Pro Paddle Sightings webpage 10:05 Quang Duong fined $50K from PPA, and barred from playing MLP and PPA events 13:01 People’s Choice Favorite Pros poll results 15:49 New poll: rank your favorite paddles the top pros are playing with 17:11 Paddle trends of top pros 24:12 Paddles of the Week: ProXR Gen-3 Protohypes (XXVI & XXIX) 32:03 11Six24 Vapor Alpha Pro Power 41:08 Element 6 Surtr 50:07 Gear of the Week: Slyce Gen-2 Adjustable Weighted Speed Caps 54:43 Mace training for strength, mobility, stability 56:50 Are Equipment Costs for Pickleball Actually More than Tennis? 1:05:06 Kew & A: Is there any truth that you can detect the sweet spot by sound, ie knocking on the paddle?

In this episode, John and Eddie discuss the latest pro player paddle sightings, affordable options for Gen-3 and all-foam paddles, and we dive into why pickleball balls are lagging behind in performance. Website: Latest Pro Paddle Sightings: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/top-pro-paddles Poll: People's Choice Pro Rankings: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/latest-poll Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:45 Update on John's foot injury 5:11 Latest News/Gear Gossip: New webpage lists top pros and what paddle they’ve been most recently spotted with 6:32 Fed Stakstrud Playing With Signature Paddle 9:07 Latest poll: People’s Choice Pro rankings 13:18 Pickleball TV App Subscription – Worth It? 20:14 Paddles of the Week: Friday Fever 26:40 Honolulu J2NF Series 40:40 Gear Deep Dive: Why are balls still so bad? 42:30 Should pro tours use different ball for summer versus winter (hot vs. cold)? 45:17 Does the number of holes in the ball matter? 45:50 Are balls with seams bad? 50:18 Comparing power level of Franklin X-40, Vulcan V-Pro Flight, and Lifetime balls 52:00 Why do pickleball balls even have holes, and are more holes better? 1:02:22 What would the best-performing ball look like? 1:05:46 Kew & A: My wife prefers playing with other men; should I be concerned?

In this episode, John and Eddie discuss the surge in counterfeit paddles, how paddle testing at amateur tournaments is coming, and discuss initial impressions of the newest paddles, including Honolulu J2H+, Apes Harmony, and GRUVN All-Foam. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:13 John injured his foot 3:08 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Quang Duong playing with Holbrook Arma at PPA Atlanta 5:03 Catherine P. and Rachael R. both playing with Selkirk SLK Era 5:52 Lifetime Ball used at PPA Atlanta - Pro Impressions 8:01 Vulcan ball out at PPA events; negotiations with 3 other companies 11:01 New website for ultra-technical pickleball analysis 15:22 Paddles of the Week: Honolulu J2H+ 18:44 Pickleball Apes Harmony series 23:38 GRUVN All-Foam Paddles 30:26 Counterfeit Paddles Are Becoming Problematic 41:28 Paddle testing at amateur tournaments is coming: Go-No-Go machine 51:38 Tales from the Ball Cannon: how does KewCOR correlate to radar gun results? 59:24 Kew & A: Given John's drumming background, is Eddie also a fan of Tool? 1:02:41 What would be the ideal jobs for John & Eddie outside of pickleball?

In this episode, John and Eddie discuss the new Ripple V2, Holbrook Arma, new Volair offerings, and answer some viewer questions. 0:00 Introduction 2:16 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: John's experience at US Open 7:20 Selkirk HQ Tour 19:55 Quong Duong's new paddle (Sypik) 21:42 Jay Devilliers playing with JOOLA paddle 23:06 Paddles of the Week: New Volair Paddles 34:32 Holbrook Arma 48:12 Ronbus Ripple V2 1:09:31 Selkirk Era 1:12:38 Kew & A: Have you ever tested ball rebound speed/power with the cannon? 1:15:09 How noticeable are firepower differences for paddles that are middle-of-the-pack versus top-end? 1:20:42 How did John and Eddie meet? What's the origin story?

In this episode, John and Eddie discuss our favorite foam core paddles, give our initial impressions of the Franklin C46 Dynasty and Tempo shapes, discuss USAP's counter lawsuit against JOOLA, and cover more Tales from the Ball Cannon. Chapters: 0:00 Preview of Show 1:46 Latest News: USAP Counter Lawsuit against JOOLA 9:00 Paddles of the Week: Our favorite foam core paddles 26:03 Franklin C45 Tempo and Dynasty Shapes 37:09 Gear of the Week: Wringer Shorts 40:14 Tales from the Ball Cannon - CT scan reveals why GRUVN CRUZN-16HD failed PBCoR 44:33 What does PBCoR actually measure? Power? 53:09 Kew & A: Based on your testing to date, what is the location of the maximum PBCoR on a paddle face?

In this episode, John & Eddie take a look at the new Adidas and Wilson paddles, and dive into new PBCoR results for 50 paddles. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:26 Latest News: Follow-Up on Break-In Regulations 10:00 Paddles of the Week: Selkirk Luxx II 15:28 Thompson Uni (Updated Handle) 20:34 Wilson Vesper paddles 28:50 Adidas Metalbone 37:13 Tales from the Ball Cannon - 50 Paddles Ranked by KEWCoR 1:09:59 Gear of the Week: Head Motion Pro BOA pickleball shoes 1:14:29 Kew & A: How far are we from the ceiling for paddle technology? 1:18:44 How much does grip/handle circumference play a part in performance?

In this episode, John and Eddie discuss the impacts of tariffs on paddle prices, explore new paddle break-in regulations, and as always, talk about our experience hitting new paddles. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:50 Latest News/Gear Gossip 4:03 Recap of Austin Trip: Adidas paddle event; Creator battle 14:23 Thoughts on Anna Leigh-Waters and Catherine Split Up 19:17 New Pickleball Central Discount System 21:41 Will Tariffs Blow Up Paddle Prices? 36:02 Paddles of the Week: Diadem BluCore 48:55 Bread & Butter Filth - New Shapes 51:35 Vatic Saga 14mm 55:55 Deep Dive: Paddle Break-In Regulation 1:18:28 Kew & A: Can I get to a 4.5 level without a drive?

In this episode, John and Eddie finalize their paddle tier list, John gives several updates on his ball cannon/ PBCoR setup, and we discuss how the sweet spot of the paddle is more complicated than you think. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:27 Latest News: John & Eddie heading to Austin for Adidas paddle launch 3:16 Paddle Tier List - Final Week 1:12:25 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Correction in PBCoR formula to offset swing weight 1:18:24 Deep Dive: Is Sweet Spot Mechanical or Subjective? 1:24:32 CNN Article on "Torpedo Bats" - Implications for Pickleball Paddles

In this episode, John and Eddie explore Head Heavy, Equal Balance, and Head Light weight customization across three paddle shapes: elongated, hybrid, and widebody. The results surprised us. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:18 Latest News: RacquetX conference in Miami 21:05 Paddles of the Week: Helios Apollo 27:13 Paddle Deep Dive: Does Balance Point Matter? 51:46 Pickleball Mindset: Key Takeaways 1:06:38 Kew & A: Key takeaway from Pickleball Mindset: Enjoy the process; pre-acceptance 1:07:08 Would a 17 x 10-inch paddle ruin the game? 1:11:21 What's the swing weight and twist weight for the Slapp SHO? 1:12:25 Is the Slapp Sho suitable for beginners? 1:13:01 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Brief Update

Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:44 Latest News: Babolat Code now 20% 5:35 John's experience at Texas Open: Men's 4.5 results 13:45 John's commentating experience 23:47 Paddles of the Week: Engage Pursuit Pro 1 Innovation 34:09 Engage Pursuit Pro 1 Hybrid & Widebody Shapes 38::24 Chorus Prelude Paddles 40:57 Shapeshifter 6K 43:39 Chorus Nightstriker 44:19 Chorus Fire Furia 48:23 Slapp Sho Paddle 53:21 Gear of the Week: Gearbox Socks 54:23 Bodhi Dry Grips 56:26 Yobow Back Pak + 1:02:20 Book Club: Pickleball Mindset 1:09:36 Kew & A: I’m new to pickleball but a highly competitive person. Do you feel it’s best to start with a control paddle and learn and get better before upgrading? Or learn with a power paddle and learn to control the power as you get better? 1:14:07 What's your "one arrow in the quiver" - the paddle that will be the deciding factor against your opponents? 1:18:04 I've been playing with the Spartus Olympus. Should I pull the trigger on the JOOLA Perseus IV 14mm? 1:20:03 What makes paddles have different launch angles, and can you manipulate launch angle with modifications?

Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 5:48 Latest News: PPA Recap 9:36 Paddles of the Week: Gearbox GX2 17:08 Gearbox GX2 vs. Gearbox Ultimate vs. Apes Pulse 28:02 Tales from the Ball Cannon: How does the Franklin hole-less ball compare to the Franklin X0=-40 with holes? 38:21 Gear of the Week: Babolat Jet Mach Pickleball Shoes 44:17 Kew & A: Can John's basement rig measure dwell time? 47:12 Comment on the Spartus Apex having two filled cells on one side and three on the other? 49:27 Thoughts on Pro Spin device? 52:35 What are your top most plush elongated power paddles? 56:35 Mixed doubles partner is very picky - been playing with Selkirk Vanguard Epic 2.0 for two years; wants more power, but doesn't like the feel of raw carbon fiber

In this episode, John and Eddie look at two new large-cell paddles: the Thrive Smoke, and Spartus Apex. We also look at two good choices for large tour bags, and discuss the latest from the home PBCoR rig. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 4:15 Latest News - Revised UPA-A Head Hunting Penalty 7:01 Paddles of the Week: Thrive Smoke 11:47 Spartus Apex 17:49 Gear of the Week: $150 Tour Bags 19:18 Six Zero Pro Tour Bag 22:30 Bodhi PROtour Duffle 26:26 Tales from the Ball Cannon - Solving why PaddleTek ESQ-C has a lower PBCoR 37:04 Does it make a difference firing a ball at a fixed paddle, versus a free-swinging paddle? 40:08 Kew & A: Would you be willing to pay $280 for the new JOOLA Perseus IV? 43:57 Anything new coming from Six Zero? 45:01 How does the JOOLA Perseus IV compare to the 11Six24 Power Vapor? 49:28 Would you buy a JOOLA Perseus IV, or a cheaper Persseus 3S? Is the price difference worth the upgrade?