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?

In this episode, John interviews Tom Barnes, co-owner of Selkirk, and author of the letters criticizing the UPA-A. We also cover a ton of latest news, including the latest paddles delisted by USAP.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

3:10 Latest News: USAP's Latest Paddle Delistings

5:38 Gearbox releases new paddle to replace delisted Pro Power Elongated

12:11 More UPA-A Drama

18:15 Tom Barnes Interview

46:25 Ben and Collin Johns Spit

50:59 Pro Sponsorship Shakeups

52:52 Winners of final week of Holiday Giveaway

56:14 Paddles of the Week: new Gearbox Ultimate Power

1:02:43 New ProKennex Black Aces

1:08:24 New Honolulu paddles/shapes

1:15:11 Gear of the Week: New Winner’s Edge color ways

1:19:08 Pickleball Apes Bag

1:21:25 KTCHN Sling Bag

In this week's episode, John and Eddie discuss our picks for the best paddles of 2024, give details on the final week of our Holiday Giveaway, and John presents the results of his dissection of the Apes Pulse V.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

4:25 Gearbox Ripple clarification

5:55 Giveaway: last week's winners

8:12 Analysis: Sweepstakes entries reveal a clear favorite ball

12:55 This week's giveaway details

22:14 Best of 2024: John & Eddie's paddle & gear choices

22:40 Best Performing Breakout Company

25:32 Best Performing Legacy Company

28:02 Best Budget Paddles

29:54 Most Underrated Paddle

34:00 Best & Worst Looking Paddles

39:01 Biggest Flop of 2024

41:49 Biggest Paddle Trend

43:13 Most Ridiculous Marketing Claims

44:58 Most Innovative Technology

48:48 Biggest Fad

52:10 Best Ball

54:51 Best & Worst Accessories

58:59 Best & Worst Training Devices

1:03:53 Best Tournament Experience

1:06:24 Paddle of the Year

1:11:35 Pickleball Apes Pulse V Dissection

1:26:49 Kew & A: Do lighter or heavier paddles provide more whip?

1:29:22 Why are pickleball paddles square when all other raquet sports have circular raquets and paddles?

1:33:07 Should eye protection be mandatory?

In this episode, John & Eddie discuss the details of Week 2 of the Holiday paddle giveaway, latest paddles and gear we’re testing, discuss how paddle shape affects performance, and answer viewer questions.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

5:46 Latest News/Gear Gossip: New Melin Code

7:12 More Ronbus Ripple launch issues

14:47 Winners of Week 1 Christmas Paddle Giveaway

17:50 Analysis of paddles listed by giveaway participants

25:14 Week 2 Christmas paddle giveaway details

30:30 Paddles of the Week: new 11Six24 power paddles and shapes

41:26 Analysis comparing 11Six24 power paddles to existing power paddles on the market

1:04:58 New Diadem Max widebody paddles

1:07:53 Do ugly paddle shapes perform better?

1:20:45 Gear of the Week: Winner's Edge shoes update

1:24:39 Favorite productivity apps

1:29:51 Kew & A: Is Twist Weight Relative to Paddle Shape?

1:31:06 Are soft handles better for tennis elbow?

1:33:19 When you hit outside of the sweetspot on an Apes Pulse, does the ball die faster than a J2K?

1:35:37 Is John more excited by new archaeological discoveries or paddles?

In this episode, John interviews PPA CEO Connor Pardoe, and John & Eddie discuss the details of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway, latest paddles we’re testing, check out different makes of handles, and answer viewer questions.

TO ENTER THE CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY: leave a comment below telling us what paddle you’re currently playing with, and which of today’s giveaway paddles you would prefer (and why), AND FILL OUT THIS FORM ON MY WEBSITE: https://www.johnkewpickleball.com/christmas-giveaway-week-1

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

8:35 Connor Pardoe Interview

39:24 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway

50:08 Paddles of the Week: Selkirk Labs 007 10mm

57:02 Body Helix Flik

1:07:07 Aiso Ryu

1:11:29 Deep Dive: Paddle Handle Construction

1:24:38 Kew & A: Which pros play with standard or widebody paddles?

1:28:00 When you test so many paddles, how do you choose your favorites?

In this episode, John & Eddie discuss current pickleball news, reveal the paddles we just keep coming back to, and talk about our favorite things as we lead up to the holiday season.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

8:10 Latest News: UPA-A list of paddle companies in the paddle certification program

13:41 Newest Black Friday paddle deals

16:50 Paddles we keep coming back to

29:17 Our Favorite Things

1:00:06 Kew & A: Is DUPR rating deflation a thing?

1:05:05 Can a 4.8-level control-oriented player use a Ronbus Ripple?

In this episode, John and Eddie discuss more Black Friday deals, changes to the production model Ripple, Bread & Butter Invader, Chorus Fire, and our favorite shoes.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

5:47 Additional Black Friday Deals

10:26 Paddles of the Week: Chorus Fire

21:45 Bread & Butter Invader

25:05 Ronbus Ripple production models

31:15 Gear of the Week - our favorite court shoes

32:37 Lotto Raptor Hyperpulse

34:37 Adidas Barricade

35:56 Babolat Jet Terre

36:52 Babolat Jet Mach 3

39:13 Head Revolt Pro 4.0

40:33 Winner’s Edge

44:51 Kew & A: Why do pros return serve with an open stance, pushing off the right leg?

48:14 John seeks help from a coach to improve game

50:47 Can you use prescription lenses in CRBN Drift glasses?

52:03 Have you noticed a trend for paddle break-in, and how do you know when break-in is finished?

1:00:49 How does Vatic Saga firepower compare to 11Six24 Monarch Jelly Bean?

In this episode, John and Eddie discuss upcoming Black Friday deals, John's experience at Worlds, our impressions of the new Chorus paddle shape options and Volair CTRL Forzas, dive into polypropylene cell size and the mental game, and address viewer questions.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

6:57 Gearbox giveaway: Ultimate Elongated and Hyper

8:16 24-hour Melin Code for 25% off

8:46 Guide to Black Friday deals on paddles & gear

13:19 John's experiences at Worlds

33:42 Paddles of the Week: Volair CTRL Forza

37:06 New shapes for Chorus Shapeshifter

46:16 Gear of the Week: CRBN Drift Glasses

50:22 Tip of the Week: the Mental Game

55:51 Deep Dive: polypropylene cell size - does it matter?

1:01:37 Kew & A: Any updates on Apes Pulse V break-in?

1:04:41 Thoughts on the Neonic Flow Prime X gradient edges?

1:06:00 With all the paddles you're testing, do you currently have a main?