95% of USAP-Approved Paddles Failed This Test

95% of USAP-Approved Paddles Failed This Test

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 current roughness standards, what these measurements actually mean, and why approval standards may need to evolve alongside the sport. We also examine two new grit technologies through accelerated wear testing: • Luzz EP-12 Surface • Scoop DEF (Durable Epoxy Fusion) Grit Plus: • Facolos Elite X removed from USAP certification • Anna Leigh Waters named among TIME's most influential athletes • Nerdy Tourney recap • New paddles from Slamopus, Neonic, and 11SIX24 • Listener Q&A Chapters/ Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:20 Latest News/ Gear Gossip: Facolos Elite X removed from USAP certification 6:09 Anna Leigh Waters makes Times Magazine's 100 Most Influential Athletes 8:23 Nerdy Tourney Recap 22:09 Experiment: I tested 42 paddles from 42 different brands to see which pass USAP surface roughness standards 32:13 Paddles of the Week: Slamopus Core X 37:41 Neonic FLX Series 44:11 11SIX24 Ultré 47:50 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Testing the durability of Luzz's new grit 52:35 Spin durability testing for DEF Grit (Scoop Sidewinder) 1:04:24 Kew & A: Should spin testing include a low-speed protocol to measure spin on dinks and drops? It could help differentiate grit technologies that produce similar spin numbers on full-speed shots. 1:09:22 As foam-core and other modern constructions continue to improve sweet spot size and stability, is twist weight becoming a less important metric than it used to be?

The Durable Grit Rankings Just Changed | Who Will Win the $100 Durable Grit Paddle Race?

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 Turbo and Vantage ($100 full foam paddles with claimed durable grit) 30:11 Selkirk OMNI 39:20 11SIX24 Ultré 41:25 Vyce Honey Grips 46:06 E6 balls - a cheaper Life Time option? 50:35 Six Zero Ball 53:33 High speed footage comparing ball rebound for LT48, Franklin, Six Zero, and E6 58:07 Experiment: Hitting paddles with noise canceling headphones on 1:02:38 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Spin Durability Results for Selkirk OMNI, Six Zero Coral Pro, and PIKKL Skins 1:16:16 Kew & A: Can you identify which top spin-tier paddles are USAP vs. UPA-A certified, and what are the highest-spinning USAP-approved paddles right now? 1:19:08 What all-court paddles keep that stiff, hollow Boomstik-style feel? How do the CR series and Coral Pro fit into that conversation? Also in this week's KewCast, we're seeing that the paddle industry may be entering its next major phase. After months of relatively slow releases, we're suddenly seeing multiple brands chasing the same goal: a high-performance paddle around the $100 price point with genuinely durable grit. In this episode, we discuss several new releases including the Luzz Inferno Frozen, Scoop Sidewinder, 24Seven Turbo and Vantage, Selkirk OMNI, and the new 11SIX24 Ultré shape. We also take a closer look at the technologies these brands are using in an attempt to improve long-term spin durability. Also, an experiment using noise canceling headphones and loud music while hitting different paddles. It's wild - without hearing the paddles, they all feel nearly the same. Then it's time for another round of controlled ball cannon testing. The biggest finding? The Six Zero Coral Pro became the newest member of our Tier One durability category, showing essentially zero spin loss after accelerated wear testing. We also review fresh data on Selkirk Infinigrit and PIKKL Skins to see how they compare. Plus: • New paddle database updates • Vyce Honey Grips • E6 and Six Zero pickleballs • Noise-canceling paddle experiment • Viewer Q&A Products mentioned in podcast: 🔹11SIX24 Ultré - take $10 off with code JOHNKEW (coming soon): https://11six24.com/?sca_ref=5460250.6fDhFP0v1v 🔹24Seven Turbo and Vantage - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://24sevenpickleball.com/products/turbo-pickleball-paddle 🔹E6 Outdoor Balls - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://e6pickleball.com/product/outdoor-pickleballs/ 🔹Luzz Inferno Frozen - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://luzzpickleball.com?sca_ref=10162045.DyVJzmd5hL 🔹Scoop Sidewinder - not available for sale yet 🔹Six Zero Coral Pro (coming 6/14): https://www.sixzeropickleball.com?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q 🔹Selkrik OMNI - use code INF-JOHNKEW at Selkirk for a $30 digital gift card: https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-omni-pickleball-paddle?sca_ref=6285388.NM89wCbFwv 🔹Six Zero Outdoor Balls - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/6-0-pro-pickleball?sca_ref=3538395.LI0TTTs35q 🔹Vyce Honey Grips - use code JOHNKEW for 10% off: https://vycesports.com/products/honey-grip-blush-pink If durable grit, paddle technology, and objective testing are your thing, this is a packed episode. #pickleball #pickleballpaddle #sixzero #selkirk #11six24 #durablegrit #johnkew #kewcast #pickleballgear

Proton Nanotac Gains Spin After Wear?!

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-year 3:31 Paddles of the Week - Enhance MPP Turbo – new hybrid shape 10:22 Tales from the Ball Cannon, Part 1: Spin durability on traditional grit paddles (Selkirk Power Air and Engage Encore) 17:40 Tales from the Ball Cannon, Part 2: Spin Durability on Proton Nanotac and Owl Paddles 23:52 Is the spin ceiling higher than we thought, or are Nanotac and Owl felt getting elastic snapback? 28:33 Kew & A: Are you going to test the durability of the Gearbox GX2 Power paddles, and is Gearbox going to enter the field with an extended durability surface? 29:58 Should USAP and UPA-A drop surface roughness/spin limits and instead ban only materials that create rebound effects like ping pong rubber, since friction-based spin appears to have a natural ceiling anyway? 32:43 Do I even need to clean my paddle? Is that for aesthetics or is there some performance reason to clean my paddle? 34:55 Best foam-core paddle recommendations for soft resets and blocks with long-lasting grit that minimizes pop-ups? 36:42 Why do you think an edge guard is important for making a good paddle, and what role does it play in paddle performance and design? 38:53 Can you recap some niche pickleball gadgets you’ve tried — like the red light therapy device, cap coins, and handle weights — and whether you still use them or if they eventually faded out? 55:26 Gear of the Week: Update on JOOLA R4LLY shoes and Selkirk Legacy shoes 59:54 Blind Rank - Can We Rank These Paddles WITHOUT Knowing What’s Next? 1:17:21 Selkirk OMNI In this episode of KewCast, we break down surprising spin durability test results from Proton Nanotac and Owl paddles—spoiler alert: spin actually INCREASED in a big way after accelerated wear testing. We also explore whether these surfaces are doing more than simple friction… and whether tangential snapback might be entering pickleball. Plus: •Blind ranking mystery paddles with locked placements •Enhance MPP Turbo first impressions •New paddle from Selkirk: the OMNI •JOOLA R4LLY shoe durability after 6 weeks •Selkirk Legacy shoe discussion •Red light therapy gadgets •Firefly Recovery claims and evidence •Foam-core paddle recommendations •Why edge guards matter •The future of paddle spin regulations If you’re into paddle tech, spin science, durability testing, and gear nerd discussions… this one gets weird.

Aireo Cyclone Nanograph vs Thrive Ignite Clear Fusoin Grit | Spin Durability Tested

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 $225 million investment 6:49 Tama becoming superstar overnight 13:27 ALW dropped out of singles for Finals in San Clemente 15:46 Thoughts on “Partners” – New PPA Documentary 22:28 Article: Can you trust paddle reviewers because of different commissions? 39:14 Paddles of the Week: Gherkin Draco elongated and widebody 45:50 Warping Point Sophon 50:58 Aireo Cyclone with NanoGraph Grit 54:51 Pickle Poppers Pop N Pink 1:02:55 Tales from the Ball Cannon: Spin/Grit Durability Testing: Aireo Cyclone Nanograph & Thrive Clear Fusion Grit 1:10:59 Tales from the Ball Cannon Part 2: Comparing texture loss to spin loss (Starrett Results) 1:23:23 MPP Paddles & Disbonding 1:30:21 Kew & A: Do MPP or EPP foam cores offer better sweet spots at lower swing weights? 1:31:44 Could a rubber-like paddle face be legal under UPA-A rules if it passes all performance tests? 1:34:12 Does UPA-A test surface roughness, or only spin/RPM similarity testing? 👉 Products Mentioned in Podcast (Affiliate Codes): 🔹Aireo Cyclone (Nanograph) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/ybecf22t 🔹Gherkin Draco (all shapes) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/45n7nzk6 🔹Honolulu J2CR Blue Endurance Grit (code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://tinyurl.com/yc6p5wj6 🔹Honolulu J6CR Blue Endurance Grit (code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://tinyurl.com/mrxbkvjt 🔹11SIX24 Power 2 Series (code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://tinyurl.com/5npfvt9y 🔹Pickle Poppers Pop N Pink - take 15% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/46me5rts 🔹Thrive Ignite (Clear Fusion Grit) - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/2wjk2c9c 🔹Chorus Coda with Harmony Grit - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://tinyurl.com/yrk7t94r 🔹Warping Point Sophon - take 10% off with code JOHNKEW: https://warpingpoint.com/ In this episode, we also break down: •Texture loss vs spin loss •Rz vs Rt Starrett readings •Why some paddles lose spin faster than others •MPP vs EPP foam core discussion •UPA-A surface roughness testing •PPA Atlanta reactions •ALW singles withdrawal •Pickleball Inc.’s massive new investment •New paddle releases from Gherkin, Warping Point, Aireo, and more #pickleball #pickleballpaddles #johnkew #kewcast

We Broke Pickleball Spin… And the New UPA-A Rules Explained

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 modification - Slyce Slyders and Pickleclips are not allowed 12:00 Paddle Challenges 16:40 Spin Penalty 19:53 Ball interaction - no more blowing the ball over the net 21:48 Balls - No more stopping play or redo unless ball is SERIOUSLY damaged 22:51 Line Calls 26:10 Serve Rules 28:15 Video Challenges 29:05 Card System 31:37 What constitutes "unsportsmanlike" behavior? 33:53 Weird / Edge Case Rules 35:43 Will local tournaments eventually adopt UPA-A rules? 36:40 Key differences between USAP & UPA-A rules 40:11 Paddle of the Week: Honolulu J2CR LH Blue Grit 49:09 Tales from the Ball Cannon: We tested a rubber surfaced paddle…and it broke everything 55:09 The Spin Ceiling Explained 56:11 If roughness can't take you beyond the spin ceiling, why are grittier paddles better? 58:56 Why rubber breaks the spin ceiling 1:00:37 My experiment: high speed footage of ball spin with ping pong rubber 1:05:16 Testing spin with radar gun 1:06:20 Takeaway: Why RPM Numbers Cluster 1:07:14 Takeaway - what this experiment tells us about the future of paddle grit technology 1:17:50 Kew & A: Will future paddles reduce noise, or is sound an important feedback mechanism that’s here to stay? 1:20:13 Why does Eddie prefer the J6CR over the J2CR, despite typically favoring hybrid/widebody paddles? 1:22:00 Will pros start using durable grit paddles, or will they remain mostly for non-pro players? 1:23:07 Is yelling after an opponent’s error more unsportsmanlike than blowing the ball over the net? 1:25:21 Do higher RPM differences between arm vs. cannon testing correlate with swing weight or added rotational velocity? In this episode of KewCast, we break down the brand-new UPA-A rulebook and what it means for both pro and amateur pickleball—along with one of the most important discoveries we’ve ever made in paddle testing. We tested a rubber-surfaced paddle… and the spin numbers weren’t even close. Tennis Warehouse study by Crawford Lindsey (2023): “Pickleball Spin — Why Is A Rubber Hitting Surface Illegal?” 👉 https://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/pickleball/rubberpaddle.php This leads to a bigger question: 👉 Is there actually a limit to how much spin a pickleball paddle can produce? We explain the concept of the spin ceiling, why most paddles are already near it, and why durability might matter more than peak grit. Latest News / Gear Gossip: •Proton is back (kind of?) 👉 Charles & Brant IG post: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXiKc1IEeq_/ On the rules side, UPA-A is introducing major changes: 👉 https://upaa.unitedpickleball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-UPA-A-Rulebook-V0.7-4.20.2026.pdf •Ongoing paddle compliance (even after approval) •Paddle challenges mid-match •New serve enforcement standards •Strict rules on ball interaction (yes—blowing on the ball is banned) •A pro-style penalty system with cards and point penalties We also compare UPA-A vs USAP and ask the big question: 👉 Can both systems coexist—or will one take over the sport? 🧪 Topics Covered: •New UPA-A rulebook breakdown •Paddle compliance and performance drift •Paddle challenges and penalties •Spin ceiling explained (friction vs elasticity) •Rubber vs grit paddles (and why rubber is banned) •Why RPM numbers cluster •Durability vs peak spin performance •Future of paddle technology 🏓 Paddle Featured: •Honolulu J2CR LH Blue Grit 💬 Q&A Topics: •J6CR vs J2CR paddle preference •Future of paddle sound and noise •Will pros adopt durable grit? •Sportsmanship debates in pickleball •Cannon vs arm spin differences