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The KewCast with John & Eddie
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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:
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🎧 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
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📸 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?























