Capital Bocking USA Report

There were nine participants that showed up (that found us) and we came from impressive swath of the country. US States represented were: TX, VT, WV, MA, PA, MD, NY. Also represented was the UK. Most importantly, everyone had fun and no one got hurt.


From the DC Power Stilts Youtube Channel

The DC Power Stilts Challenge Format
Basically the format consists series of mostly easy/ intermediate "challenges" which participants could opt to participate in for points. Some challenges were harder and worth more points, and some were team or head-to-head competitions. Bonus points were awarded to the farthest traveled, the youngest, the oldest, the most feminine, knowledge of congressional procedures, and even for coming to the pizza party. The "secret point swap" made it partly a survivor-style, team strategy game as well. With a variety of skill levels represented and an emphasis on participation, all those in attendance were energized throughout each of the activities.

The first part of the competition was structured challenges on DC's great bocking terrain. Some people tried the terrain challenges for the first time.

DC Power Stilts threw down a good pizza party to start the weekend, and hopefully we indoctrinated everyone with our business philosophy and commitment to powerbocking.



From the DC Power Stilts Youtube Channel

The afternoon consisted of walking/touring in a popular and historic area of town with ice-cream treat. Points were awarded for crossing the bridge from VA into DC. It was hot, but weather stayed dry.

Sunday was a relaxed format where we had breakfast together and hung out in a park near a big farmers/craft market. We got breakfast, played with the camera a bit, and relaxed. Then we did the secret point swap followed by a somber awards ceremony. With obstacle courses, races, group challenges, quizzes, bonus awards, and point swapping, the winners really earned their prizes. I'll profile the event winners in a future blog.

One thing that stands out is that the DC event was a huge success in terms of publicity and local awareness. We were prominently featured with a full color photo and listing on the first page of the Washington Post Weekend Section. I'm estimating that at least 50 people came to spectate the various challenge events, and there were also about 50 that attended the Free try-out lessons after the competition event, which quickly reached capacity. (Thanks to Dominion for pitching in to help teach and organize the crowd!). It seems that about half of those taking lessons were youths, so it was very nice to see that level of interest in our sport.

Powerbocking was extremely visible throughout the city this weekend, as evidenced by a number of local acquaintances who contacted me after seeing people on stilts. I was even riding up the elevator when I overheard two people talking about "people jumping on stilts... in the park".

It was some work to organize and host everyone but I wish I had you all in town every weekend! Be sure and attend next year.

Red, White, BOOM! Eh, Bock!

The end of June is upon us. Barbecues and summer events are currently growing in occurrence. Capital Bock is just days away from happening in Washington, DC. BUT! The start of July is just around the corner, more picnics, more barbecues... and was that an explosion?

Yes, that's right the 4th of July weekend is coming up! Currently, the XD Bockers are planning on "Invading" Red, White, BOOM! The Quad Cities Fireworks Festival for the 4th of July. It's hosted in Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. Fireworks are shot off over the Mississippi River for a super cool show. We plan to attend the cities official events on our PowerStilts. We'll meet up on the river front, bock down the 3 mile bike bath. Head over to the crowds, do some jumps in the 30 thousand square foot skate park (Which has a great view), and just spontaneously enjoy the 4th of July.



We welcome any one to come out and join our small gathering. For more information, please visit our Facebook Event Page to check it out. Don't forget to RSVP if you can make it. If all goes well, we plan on more "Invasion Events". They'll be full of good laughs, good times, and good height. xD

After the 4th, check back here for the report.

Last Chance: Attend Capital Bocking USA

National Meetup: Capital Bocking USA, June 26-28, 2009...
The big meetup is less than two weeks away. It's going to be a blast... and the good news is that it's free and registration is still open. We would love to have new participants and supportive spectators / photographers. Also, if you have been waiting to try a pair of stilts for yourself, note the last event which will be an extra special opportunity. The schedule of events is as follows:

Friday June 26 ~ 7:30-11PM
Pizza Kickoff Party at the DC Power Stilts HQ
Capital Bocking kicks-off in Chevy Chase, MD at this invite-only party sponsored by DC Power Stilts. Enjoy artisan vegetarian pizzas, talk to acrobats and meet dedicated power stilt-walkers. RSVP Required. (BYOB)

Saturday June 27 ~ 11AM
National Monument Terrain Challenge in Downtown DC
If you haven't seen dozens of people on stilts leaping, bounding, and doing acrobatics while competing for points, then you will not want to miss this spectacle. Most challenges are intermediate level and it's sure to be a great environment for learning a few new tricks.

Saturday June 27 ~ 2:30PM
Georgetown Bocking Tour (Tricks and Treats) starting in Rosslyn
Scenic Walk includes stops to do tricks in Georgetown and on campus as well as cupcakes and ice cream. Points awarded for crowd pleasing tricks. Suitable for beginners+

Sunday June 28 ~ 10:00AM
Breakfast on Stilts and Final Award Ceremony at Eastern Market
Leisurely breakfast prior to the secret "point swap". Competitors will sell their cause when the outcomes of scheming, skills and alliances will determine the winner. Who has the cunning to claim the top prize?

Sunday June 28 ~ 2:30PM
Free Try-out Lessons in Friendship Heights
If you have been waiting to try power stilts for yourself, in addition to an instructor, stilts enthusiasts will help and encourage you during your brief 10-minute free tryout lesson! RSVP requested.

Click here for the Capital Bocking USA information

Scouting out routes for Capital Bocking USA

So we just had a nice weekend in DC... with 80 degrees and sunny, hopefully it was a "weather" preview for Capital Bocking USA which is in less than two weeks. The mission was to go bocking and scout things out. I was running across Key bridge at full speed when I tripped and fell as the bridge transitioned to slightly uneven brick sidewalk. I skidded on the smooth bricks for about 20ft, going from about 20mph to zero. It was a very bad fall, and I was stunned, wind knocked out of me, laying on the ground. After a moment, I sat up and assessed the damage: fresh skid marks on my kneepads, elbow pads, and wrist guards plus a minor scratch along the edge of one wrist guard. The moral of the story is: Although falls are rare, always wear protective pads and a helmet while bocking! Bocking looks dangerous, but it doesn't have to be.

And yes, we now have some good, tested routes! See you all in two weeks. It's going to be a great time!

XD Bockers

Hello sirs and madams!

Your Davenport, Iowa Affiliate here. I am sitting here writing this after just getting in a while ago from a nice warm up bock over at LeClaire Park on W River DR. I'm winding down now, finally not sweating as profusely and just wanted to announce the formation of our local group (Still small, but hey you can help!)

The XD Bockers

The XD Bockers has a total of 4 members currently. Our aim is to take an enjoyable approach at bocking. To focus on laughs, and good times first and foremost before the rest. To do it the xD way!

You can check us out on our Facebook Group. The XD Bockers!

If you're local and are a bocker, or looking to become a bocker. Please look us up, I'll be more than happy to help you out.

DC Parkour + Testimonial Tuesday

Over the weekend, I upgraded a customer who had a tilting footplate to the Poweriser Advanced bindings and hardware. While watching people practice and perform stunts at the DC Metro Parkour Meet-up, I actually got to try out the newly upgraded stilts, and was impressed with how the tilting footplate improves running without hindering the usual moves. It took me a minute to get use to the different mobility, but as an experienced bocker it was quite easy to start running, jumping, and leaping right away. Who knows... we may see a tilting footplate on a future Poweriser model.

Testimonial Tuesday,
Reminding you that service is one of our four business foci:

"I would just like to thank you for the prompt responses and such. You conduct your business with the finest customer service I've ever received"

After a shipping mistake a customer realized he didn't have the correct order. Not only did I apologize but I let him know that we would take care of fixing the mistake. Upon learning that he would not have to worry about the mistake, he responded:

"Thanks for being an awesome dealer."

And in case you didn't notice, our business foci are:
Instruction > Sales > Service > Community

Capital Bocking USA: June 27-28, 2009

If you haven't seen dozens of people on stilts leaping, bounding, and doing acrobatics throughout an urban jungle, then you will not want to miss this: Capital Bocking USA is an annual USA meetup for powerbocking in the Capital City, Washington, DC. Experts and professional acrobats from across the country plus abroad will meet in DC for a weekend of leaps, bounds, and various challenges. Suitable for beginners+ (requires ability to walk), it's sure to be a great environment for learning a few new tricks. Click here for the event information and then RSVP if you might want to attend so that I can send you the followup information.

We could use the help of a good "ground crew", or volunteers to film and help organize some of the challenges and logistics. If you would bring a friend or want to participate without stilts, let me know!

Meet Our Affiliates

I'm happy to announce that DC Power Stilts has recently established our first four affiliates who are organizing local communities and otherwise promote this exciting new sport! Let us know if you would like an affiliate to contact you.

The first DC Power Stilts Affiliates are:

• Bacchanal Promotions (Andrew), in Auburn Hills, Michigan
• Brian in Salinas, California
• DJ in Davenport, Iowa
• Larry in Fairmont, West Virginia

Learn more about the Affiliate Program.

How Can You Afford to Offer Free Lessons and Low Prices?

A customer asked this, and another asked me if I planned to stay in business long term or even into the next year. The funny thing is that both questions had the same answer. DC Power Stilts has competitive prices because we buy stilts in bulk. Powerbocking is our business, and DC Power Stilts is invested in the sport... As of mid-Spring, we have nearly a hundred pairs of spring stilts to sell. Our business is growing, and we're committed to serving customers! Our instructors actually have fun teaching people and enjoy giving them a higher perspective on things.

When doing free lessons, we keep the overhead low. As a result, if you are taking a free lesson, It will usually be with just one instructor. He may ask you to help with minor logistics such as moving a box, holding items, opening a door... it allows the lesson to be free and it saves you money.

Of course, things would go much smoother with a lesson helper. Let us know if you would like to volunteer :-)

Anime Central 2009 Bock Report!

Well sirs and ladies, ACEN 2009 has come and gone. Many a sad con goer awakes with tired sleep deprived eyes today, fully aware they had to return to their day to day routine. Can you hear the collective groan?

Well let's not fret, and look back with fond recollection! 

On the Bocking side of things, the convention really got started Saturday afternoon, when myself, and XDvandalJake (I'm in the blue, he's sitting down in the picture, taken before the con) put on my bocks, and hit the street outside a MASSIVE Naruto photo gathering. We first just started warming up, bouncing this way and that, being greeted with many surprised faces, and approving shouts.

Unsure if we were going to be ejected from the convention or not, we chose this location due to it being out of sight of the main area, and Incident Response Team. By the time an IRT guard ran up, he just smiled, and we knew it was time to run off to the larger areas.

For the next few hours we picked a parking lot directly out front of the Hotels main entrance. We pulled of a ton of jumps for the hundreds, into thousands of con goers walking past us. Many a photograph was taken, tons of questions, just lots of general interest in the sport. I even let a few people try out my other set of stilts. One guy in particular impressed me greatly, he works with regular stilts, so he took to jumping almost immediately. 

By the time XDvandalJake, and myself were completely bent over with exhaustion, we moved base and began walking through the crowds, towards the entrance to the Stephens Convention center, where the cons dealer room was being held. We did a few jumps for the crowd, by the large fountains, and then to walk the art gallery, and then dealer exhibits. 

Due to us being indoors for the last portion, all we did was walk and I answered questions, we remained inside for a long while, until other non bocking friends of ours met up with us. In which case we headed back to the second area we bocked, and removed our stilts.

Over all it was a very fun experience, and I hope to get more PowerBockers to accompany us next year. 

Check back another time for pictures of the con. if they become available to me xD

PowerBocking at the Frieght House Market

Hello again Sirs and or Madams!

Spring weather is starting to consider taking a hold of things here in Davenport, Iowa. After getting out of work early. This bocker decided to go do some springing of his own. I took a quick run to the nearby Mississippi River. Only to discover a small flea market of sorts.

Taking the chance to promote the sport. I spent the last two hours walking through the crowds, doing kangas, pogos, split kicks, tucks, grabs and stars in clearing for any that asked. Oh did they ask!

Times like these really make you recall the thrill you yourself got your first time seeing bocks. To bad I was alone with no camera. So I cannot share pictures today. Maybe if some pop up online? I was photographed randomly quite a bit.

Again, if there are any in the area that would like a demostration please look me up.

Anime Central May 8th - 10th

Hello Sirs, and Ladies too!

Quickly approaching us is the upcoming month of May. With it comes many things, increase in heat, longer days, and a random thunderstorm. But what does that mean for you and me? A greatly increased, and exciting time to bock! It's truly a great time for us. 

But best of all, it brings one more thing! Anime Central, the Midwest largest Anime Convention. One of the best places to gather, and talk about all things Anime, Manga, Comics, Movies, Sci-Fi, video games, and so so much more. I propose that we make that "more" be about Powerbocking.

Imagine walking about the convention center, and streets in Rosemont, IL. Heads above the daily thousands of convention goers. Every year the convention proves to be a blast. This year shall not disappoint.

If any other bockers, or those interested in learning about jumping stilts and the like. Please feel free to check out www.acen.org for the conventions information. Then either look for the tallest people there, or hit me up at XDvandalDJ@gmail.com

After the con, be sure to check back here for the full report

Visiting the National Cherry Blossom Festival on Stilts

The Cherry Blossom Festival is a wonderful event that happens in DC when the Japanese Cherry Blossom Trees bloom and surround the tidal areas of DC with breathtaking pink and white petals.

Unfortunately the spectacular scenery attracts a huge crowd and the lack of good transportation nearby makes getting around very difficult... for most.

Power stilts change the equation! Now the 4 miles around the area and up to the subway passes with the greatest of ease. The crowd becomes a moving slalom course and every unobstructed view overlooks the heads of those around.

Not to mention the fun of running and jumping in a beautiful place to the amazement and shock of lots of people. Please visit the DC Power Stilts Flickr Photo Stream for the photos I took or were of me on this fine Sunday afternoon.

Since it worked out so well, I think next year I'll organize a group of us to go down together. Mark your calendars and come to DC for the National Cherry Blossoms.

Announcing Lower Prices!

Good things come to those who wait! Thanks to increasing popularity, Poweriser USA has announced permanent lower prices. The popular Poweriser Advanced is now priced $100 less than yesterday. The Poweriser Kids has been increasingly mass produced can now be purchased for $50 less than before. Based on past history, these prices should last about two years. The Poweriser Classic is the same price as before and is still the most affordable set, and they are sharing more and more upgraded parts with the Advanced level of stilts.

If you have been on the fence about ordering, I suggest taking a look at the Poweriser Advanced. It's an amazing value at $399. The DC Power Stilts Web Shop has been updated and is ready for your order.

Dogs on Stilts

Don't just walk you dog, now you can bock your dog! Dr. Zancos, a circus veterinarian, was out behind the big top, when he noticed an acrobat on stilts going for a walk with the clowns' dog! As the leashed dog struggled to keep up with it's owner on stilts, the doctor decided that the dog needed an even playing field. After much testing and modification, Dr Zancos was able to fit a pair of Poweriser Kids and a two small peg stilts to fit the dog comfortably. After some initial reluctance and further training, he found that the dog with power stilts was capable of running faster and jumping higher than their tiger.

Next Dr. Zancos is going to be working with the tiger, named April.
Fools in the circus: