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.
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#pickleballscience