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?

In this episode, John and Eddie pit some popular paddles against each other, and see which breaks first at high collision speeds: the ball or the paddle.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:16 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Gabe Tardio interview coming up

3:30 Upcoming JOOLA Event

4:49 Ben Johns playing with JOOLA Perseus 4

7:37 Hayden's full send body bag of Andre

8:23 Does “new pickleball's” hyper aggressive style have more to do with everyone getting better, or paddles becoming hotter?

14:02 Paddles of the Week: Ruby Infinity vs. Holbrook Aero Ti

23:19 Selkirk 008 vs. CRBN TruFoam

29:23 Deep Dive: PBCoR: does paddle clamp tightness (or free-swinging vs. fixed) make a difference?

40:22 With a 200 MPH collision, which breaks first, the ball or the paddle?

42:05 Kew & A: What are your thoughts on paddle companies sending reviewers paddles that are different than production models (e.g., more grit)?

48:21 Would you recommend an 11Six24 Vapor Power for a 3.25 player?

51:11 Playing with an Apes Pulse V, and notice that the ball impressions are near the top of the paddle. Should I go for a hybrid shape instead?

53:10 Do head-light paddles get lower PBCoR scores, and is this a way to game the system?

56:32 Is the CRBN TFG2 an upgrade to the Apes Pulse V?

In this episode, we discuss John’s crazy week visiting the paddle testing labs for USAP and UPA-A, look at some paddles to be released soon, and give our thoughts on stick-on buttcap weights.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:07 Latest News: John's trip to the PBCoR labs for USAP and UPA-A

16:24 USAP Media Day

29:05 Ronbus Ripple Drama at USAP

42:14 Kew Lab CoR-Ball Cannon Update & Tour

46:34 Paddles of the Week: 11six24 Power paddles

51:33 Gearbox GX2 Prototypes

1:00:52 Chorus Supercourt

1:05:09 Chorus Echo

1:08:10 Paddle Showdown: Selkirk 008 vs. Chorus Supercourt

1:16:07 Gear of the Week: Flick Weights and Slyce Speed Coins

In this episode, John and Eddie and take a first look at the new Selkirk CourtStrike shoes, review last year’s resolutions, and make new ones for 2025. We cover the latest news, including events at the PPA Masters, review new paddles and look at x-rays.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

2:54 New Years resolutions

10:30 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: John’s Pickle Pod Appearance

12:21 PPA Masters Recap

13:33 What’s with Hayden’s new paddle? Franklin C45

24:57 Honolulu J2K+ and J2Ti+ production models & x-rays

29:18 Paddles of the Week: 11Six24 All Court – new formulation

36:26 Avoura Rhapsody 13 (plus x-rays)

43:09 Ethos Dunamis Pro

49:22 Technifibre paddles (Six Zero collab)

54:34 Gear of the Week: PBEffect Tungsten 3 gram strips

56:30 First Look: Selkirk CourtStrike Shoes

1:03:28 Eddie's eye issues and scleral lenses

1:09:14 Kew & A: How are paddles and balls affected by colder climates?

1:12:10 What's John's weight setup on the 11six24 Vapor Power?

1:13:39 Will the JOOLA 3S be USAP approved?

1:14:25 Update on John's basement PBCoR lab

In this episode, John and Eddie discuss the latest paddle news, and discuss our favorite alternatives to the newly banned power paddles.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

4:34 John & Eddie coming to Mesa, AZ

5:28 Website Overhaul

8:09 Latest News: PPA letter to Selkirk pros

15:03 JOOLA responds to new MOD ban by USAP

19:20 Paddles of the Week: Neonic Flare Prime X Gold Colorway

23:23 Alternatives to Banned Power Paddles

25:03 Gearbox Pro Ultimate Hyper

26:12 PaddleTek ESQ-C

28:59 Chorus Fire

32:50 11six24 Power Paddles

36:56 Honolulu Power Paddles

38:34 CRBN TruFoam Genesis

42:40 Gearbox Pro Ultimate Power

50:06 PICKLN Alecto 3

52:42 Gear of the Week: New Franklin and Komodo balls

58:39 John's upcoming PBCoR setup

1:04:31 PBCoR Issues with Shorter Paddles?

1:07:24 Kew & A: If USAP is sunsetting the Gearbox PPE, why not the Integra?

1:08:24 Does adding weight to a paddle affect its PBCoR?

1:09:23 Thoughts on the Engage Aero paddle?