On this week’s episode of Cracked Paddles, hosts Alex Crum and Kevin Dong dive into a full slate of updates from the pickleball world. Alex opens up about dealing with his ACL injury and how recovery is shaping his approach both on and off the court. He also recaps his run at the Lakeland Open, breaking down the highs, lows, and lessons learned.
Kevin then jumps in with a detailed look at his experience at Nationals—what surprised him, what challenged him, and what he’s taking with him into his next tournament. The guys wrap up with the Drill of the Week and their Weekly Gratitude segment, reflecting on the things keeping them grounded and inspired.
Check out today's episode on YouTube by clicking here.
If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands.
Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on.
00:00 - Intro
01:27 - Holiday Traditions
05:50 - AC's Injury Update
07:42 - AC's Top Moment in 2025
10:42 - Kevin's Top Moment in 2025
16:05 - Launching the Podcast
17:12 - 2025 Paddle Awards
20:23 - Top 3 Power Paddles
25:30 - Top 3 All-Court Paddles
33:25 - Top 3 Paddles to Try Still
35:13 - Paddle of the Year
38:57 - Midwest Sports
40:03 - Drill of the Week
42:56 - Weekly Gratitude
48:17 - Looking Ahead to 2026
57:25 - Outro
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
