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.

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