The KewCast with John & Eddie

Will the Spartus Spitfire with "PermaGritNano" become the first true budget paddle to deliver durable spin, or is that still reserved for paddles costing twice as much? Welcome to KewCast Episode 113! We also introduce KewCOR Curves, a new visualization tool that maps paddle response along the centerline of the face to help explain why some paddles feel incredibly consistent while others have pron...

We updated our paddle leaderboard, revisited pickleball eye protection with Part 2 of our ballistic dummy testing, discussed JOOLA settling with Proton over Propulsion Core patents, the return of Proton's NanoTac Series One, and whether paddle feel might actually be quantifiable. Timestamps/Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:43 JOOLA Settles Propulsion Core Patent Dispute with Proton 5:33 Proton Series 1 Nano...

What happens when you independently test USAP-approved paddles against USAP's own surface roughness limits? I tested 42 paddles from 42 different brands using the same methodology described in the USAP standards. The result was shocking: only 2 paddles passed. Does that mean everyone is cheating? Not necessarily. In this episode, we discuss why modern paddle technology may have outgrown the curren...

We just found another Tier One durable grit paddle. Check out my updated paddle database/interface here: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/paddle-database Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:38 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: New Paddle Database Interface at johnkewpickleball.com 4:53 Paddles of the Week: Luzz Inferno Frozen 12:41 Scoop Sidewinder ($100 MPP paddle with claimed durable grit) 20:04 24Seven Turb...

What happens when a paddle GAINS spin after wear testing instead of losing it? We may have underestimated the true spin ceiling in pickleball. 🔹Save $20 on Enhance MPP Turbo hybrid with code JOHNKEW at checkout: https://www.enhancepickleball.com/JOHNKEW Chapters/ Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:33 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Selkirk extending warranty on Bread & Butter paddles from 6 months to 1-ye...

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...

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 modifi...

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 a...

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 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:...

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 K...

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: • 11SI...

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:...

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 B...

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 H...

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 spo...

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-base...

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 -...

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...

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/stor...

👇 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 Thou...

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...

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...

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 impro...

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 u...