In this interview, we cover:
–Life on the road as a top pro (and James’ crazy pre-match meals!)
–Why James started his own paddle company
–Honest opinions on paddle regulations: power, spin, and “peak paddle”
–The science behind the perfect paddle: sweet spot, stiffness, power vs. control
–Pros and cons of paddle shapes: elongated, hybrid, widebody
–Cutting-edge paddle tech: full foam cores, epoxy durability, sweet spot physics
–Viewer Q&A: serving, sweet spots, and paddle recommendations
Whether you’re a pickleball gear nerd or just want a peek behind the scenes of pro pickleball life, this conversation with James delivers insight, humor, and some surprising predictions about the future of the sport.
★RPM (James's new paddle company; use code JOHNKEW for 10% off): https://rpmpb.com/
★Pickleball Science website: https://pickleballscience.org/
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:20 James's journey to becoming a paddle nerd
8:31 What's the vision for James's new paddle company: RPM?
11:29 Does paddle neck flex affect PBCOR?
13:34 PBCOR is not perfect and is still under development
15:53 Can we use a robot arm to swing the paddle to make PBCOR more accurate?
25:24 Paddle regulations: where does James stand on limiting power, spin, etc.?
32:35 Full send body bags are becoming more common. James's thoughts on this?
34:41 Is there a 'perfect paddle'?
38:09 Paddle power preferences: more or less?
39:34 What defines 'control'? Lack of power, or sweet spot size?
39:56 Preference: stiff or soft paddles?
40:23 Preference: dense or hollow feel?
41:46 Preference: lower or higher pitch sound from paddle?
44:47 Is there a paddle shape that's better for amateurs?
48:28 What’s the biggest mistake you see people make when choosing a paddle?
53:28 Who are the male pros who play with widebody paddles?
55:35 Paddle shapes: pros and cons for elongated, hybrid, widebody
1:02:32 Does a square paddle perform better than a rounded paddle?
1:06:01 What’s the weirdest thing about being a touring pickleball pro?
1:08:13 James ate 3 dinners in one night during his stay. Is this normal?
1:10:13 What's the story behind the "Big Poppa Jimmy" nickname?
1:11:26 When do we hit peak paddle?
1:16:00 What's the next low-hanging fruit in paddle innovation?
1:19:13 Are Pros Slowing Down Paddle Innovation?
1:24:17 Predictions: Future Paddle Technology
1:27:29 Ideas for More Durable Grit/Spin
1:37:09 How to innovate to improve sweet spot
1:48:41 Q&A: Do all pros hit the high sweet spot only on drives and serves?
1:52:22 Is it ideal for you to serve hitting the sweet spot every time or more so the upper zone of the paddle, even if it’s more of a dead spot, for whip and topspin?
1:53:37 Do you guys recommend looking for a paddle to shore up a weakness or one that plays into existing strengths?
1:56:25 What's the point of an elongated paddle with a sweet spot right in the middle if most people hit near the top of the paddle?
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