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Boomstik or “Boostick?”

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A regular came out to play wielding a new paddle that looked familiar… but different. His Boomstik looked more like a Boostik.

Boostik
Boostik
The MOI weights were MIA
The MOI weights were MIA
Authentic Selkirk Boomstik
Authentic Selkirk Boomstik
The MOI weights are added on, not painted on.
The MOI weights are added on, not painted on.

Visually from across the net, you couldn’t really spot the differences, but side by side, you’ll notice what doesn’t match up with an authentic Selkirk Boomstik.

Enhance Turbo MPP Widebody Now Available

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To go along with the excellent and excellently affordable elongated version, Enhance has released the Turbo MPP paddle in a widebody shape.

The paddle costs $119.99 before code, but if you apply code KAILUAPB at checkout, you’ll get $20 the total order. For Hawaii residents, shipping will cost about $30 unfortunately, but if you order multiple paddles from Enhance, the shipping remains $30.

Start shopping now by following this affiliate link:

https://www.enhancepickleball.com/KailuaPB

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It’s Not You and It’s Not Your Paddle

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It’s not you, and it’s not your paddle. It’s actually the weather that causes your erratic pickleball play! Or so it seems anyway.

Oddly, I couldn’t get comfortable with my Turbo MPP. The UDRIPPIN grip just felt extra tacky almost like tape or a weak adhesive. Maybe it’s the unusual Kona Low weather condition causing this feel. I only had my Draco as a backup so used that the rest of the session. Took a short bit to get adjusted but played more consistently with the Gherkin before an eventual rainout.

Can You Pickle in Pikachu Pumas?

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Sadly, the answer will remain unknown for me. Puma released a Pokemon collaboration, pairing the popular Pikachu with the All Pro Nitro 2 basketball shoes. This particular basketball model has gotten positive praise on the court so assuming that could translate to the pickleball court.

But alas, these Puma Pikachus are too svelte for my feet. My regular size 10 was very snug while a size 10.5 added length, but the forefoot was still uncomfortably narrow. So I don’t know if you can pickle in Pikachu Pumas.

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And oh by the way, I got a newer, easier to remember discount code at Enhance Pickleball. So if you’re looking at any of the Turbos or Duos, start at:

https://www.enhancepickleball.com/KailuaPB

New Enhance Pickleball Referral Code

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As a fan of the Turbo MPP paddle from Enhance Pickleball, I also got a referral code for discounts on their site. 

My original code was hard to remember, so I got a new one that’s hopefully easier to remember (and use). The updated code for $20 off the Turbo (or any Enhance paddles) is now:

KailuaPB

You can apply the code at checkout to receive a discount or enter the store using this affiliate link:

https://www.enhancepickleball.com/KailuaPB

Thanks for the support!

Here are some posts about the Turbo.

It’s YOU, Not Your Paddle

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So in my experimentation with my pickleball paddle rotation, I realized something after a rough session going from my Enhance Turbo MPP to my weighted up Loco. Things just didn’t feel right playing with the Loco.

I had used the Turbo MPP days before, but since it wasn’t available, I grabbed my Loco in a recent session. My swings just felt odd as if the paddle were hinging where the PickleClips were. I removed the weights, and the Loco felt more balanced but still off. After that game, I switched to the Boomstik which surprisingly felt more comfortable.

The thing is I had been playing with these paddles the week prior and never had such detrimental results. So what was the difference?

ME, not the paddles. Somewhere between then and now, my body mechanics weren’t the same. Maybe it’s fatigue, maybe it’s old age, but certainly, it’s me, not the paddles.

Restocking UDRIPPIN Over Grips

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So far, my preferred overgrip comes from UDRIPPIN. I haven’t tried a lot of other brands, maybe 4 or 5, but I like the combination of feel, price, and appearance of the overgrips from UD.

The Comfort Tour Grips would seem like the safest bet to use (and the burnt orange color really matches the color scheme of the BnB Loco). But I’m kinda liking the Pro Tour Grips a little more.

The Comfort Tour feels like it absorbs sweat, getting slippery. Maybe it’s just time to replace the overgrip (but there’s only neon orange available on UDRIPPIN.com). The Pro Tour grip, on the other hand, feels drier over the entire playing session although it’s not quite as soft as the Comfort Tour.

Either way, I need to restock on UDRIPPING overgrips.

Turbo MPP to Loco to Boomstik

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I don’t know why, but I like to mix up my paddle play. Recently, I talked about going from the Enhance Turbo MPP back to my BnB Loco and how I weighted up my Loco using PickleClips.

After the Loco, I brought out the Selkirk Boomstik, and oddly, I found it easier to adjust to. Usually, I find the Boomstik difficult to control but going from the weighted up Loco to the Boomstik wasn’t too much of an adjustment in feel. In my next play session, I gotta see how the Gherkin Draco fits in.

Weighted Up with PickleClips

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I’ve been alternating between different pickleball paddles to get a better feel and understanding of how they are different and what aspects I prefer. I can tell they all play differently, but I can’t explain the different feel.

Most recently, I had been using the excellent (and budget friendly) Enhance Turbo MPP, so much so that I guess my swing mechanics got used to its feel. So when I switched back to my BnB Loco, it felt way different – bothersome different. The Loco just felt too light and was getting pushed around. I don’t know why since I was playing against the same rec players as usual.

But that’s when I remembered I bought a bundle of PickleClips after watching a review from Matthew K. Pickleball. Figured this was a good time to try them out. The PickleClips are surprisingly easy to attach (and remove) but when hitting, they are totally secure. I started with the 2-gram weights at 3 and 9 and moved them up and down the paddle sides throughout the games. My swing felt more natural but still a little off, so I changed to the 3-gram weights, again slightly repositioning the clips over time. 

The current placement right below 3 and 9 feels better although the top to bottom balance of the paddle doesn’t feel like a smooth transition. But the swing itself feels right, not too heavy and not too weak with solid hits. Hmm, maybe two 2-gram weights slightly separated on each side?

I think it’s really weird how I now perceive a different feel even though I thought the paddle was just fine not too long ago. 

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pickleclips2
pickleclips3

Making a Melin Collection

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And… we’re off! A collection of Melin hats is now building, starting with this Odysea Hydro from the Yellow Jacket collection. Since this is a collaboration, the cost of the hat is $10 higher, but Hawaii residents are in luck.

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If you shop at a Melin store in Waikiki, Maui, or Kauai, Hawaii residents get a kamaaina discount of 10%. Looks like I’ll be frequenting Waikiki a little more often now…

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