Happy Holidays from DC Power Stilts

December 2011 - Happy Holidays!

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Happy holidays from DC Power Stilts!

We give thanks for your support of the powerbocking community, and for being a part of DC Power Stilts.

It is not too late to be a gift-giving hero!
You can put an awesome big-box gift under the tree whether you are buying sleek set of Poweriser Kids for kids or getting Poweriser Advanced for your teen or kid-at-heart.

Time is running out!
Complete your Poweriser order by Thursday and you can take advantage of our ground shipping rates to anywhere in the Continental US, with arrival by the 25th. 

We also offer expedited shipping services if needed overnight or in 2-days.  Or pay no shipping! Our DC Headquarters is fully stocked with a pair of stilts in every size and you can load them up right into your sleigh.
> Contact us to schedule a pickup

New Lesson Formats:
We still offer 10 Minute Tryout Lessons and Private lessons.  Due to customer demand, we have formalized our special event format to make it easier to get your friends a chance to go stilt walking.  Lessons make a great gift too!

PowerStrider closes its USA warehouse
DC Power Stilts is brand-independant!  We share what we know about the current trends regarding equipment.  We'll test and evaluate new brands and only endorse items that would offer solid quality for a good value.  We'll let you know when we endorse a product and offer you the best of what is available.

Stay tuned, you'll be the first to know when a product meets our standards!

5-Star Service:
Customers love us, and we strive to provide consistent 5-star service!  Our goal is to offer quality goods at fair prices and upfront shipping rates to anywhere in the continental USA.  We also offer free customer pickup.
> Unfiltered Feedback (let DC Power Stilts try to earn your 5 stars too.)
> DC Power Stilts Web Shop

Want to organize powerbocking meet-ups?
> We'll help!  Become a DC Power Stilts Affiliate

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Newsletter: May 2011 - Spring Stilt Season

Dear Friend,

Thank you for being part of the powerbocking community, and for your support of DC Power Stilts. We have already attended the first national bocking meetup (Bock The South) and we are gearing up for the biggest meet ever: Capital Bocking USA.

Please Join us @ Capital Bocking USA: June 24-26, 2011
Experts on stilts from across the country will again descended upon Washington DC, leaping, bounding and performing acrobatics in competition. You can join us to compete, learn, spectate or help!
Lets us know that you are coming:
> Learn More
> Order your shirt and/or RSVP on Facebook

Schedule a Private Lesson...
DC Power Stilts is the only business on the East Coast to offer beginner, advanced, and intermediate instruction. You can skip the awkward beginner phase, jump into impressive tricks, or get live, video analysis so your big stunts are smooth and graceful!
> Private lessons and Free Tips

Bring an Unforgettable Experience to your Next Event
DC Power Stilts can bring an unforgettable stilts try-out experience to your next event. People at your event will partner up to share a new exciting and memorable experience. 100% interactive and fun.
> Lets set something up

5-Star Service
Customers love us, and we strive to provide consistent 5-star service! Our goal is to offer quality goods at fair prices and upfront shipping rates to anywhere in the continental USA. We also offer free customer pickup.
> Unfiltered Feedback (let DC Power Stilts try to earn your 5 stars too.)
> DC Power Stilts Web Shop

Start a Local Powerbocking Club
> We'll help! Become a DC Power Stilts Affiliate

Bock The South 2011: Video

Thanks to David, Ann-Marie, Randy, Nick, Josie, Kathleen, and Doug for all attending and making Bock the South a blast!



Video Source


See you at Capital Bocking 2011!

Bock Report: Easter Bock

Hello all!

We had a fantastic Easter. The XD Bockers went out to the park. Totting bunny ears, and baskets full of easter eggs. We had a fantastic time handing them out to kids of all ages at the park. Not to mention enjoyed hopping around.

Watch our events video to see us at it.

Alternate link here.

Don't forget to make time for Bock the South! It's coming up fast on the first weekend of May. See you out there!

Bock The South 2011

Mark your calendars for May the 7th through the 8th. The XD Bockers of Savannah, Georgia are hosting the first annual Jumping Stilts meet up event for the Southern United States.

Powerbockers from all over will travel to Savannah, GA. To meet up, and participate in some powerbocking.

Check out our Event Flyer. Excited? Print it out and show some friends. Don't forget to RSVP on our Facebook Event page!

Keep an eye out for more event details as they come!

2/11/2011 XD Bockers meet

Source

Above you'll find the last video edited together by our club. It basically is just some random clips at one of our most recent meet ups. In it we gave a lot of walking lessons, and did some light bouncing around.

If you happen to be in Georgia and have wanted to get a free walking lesson and a chance to try out. Do not forget that it's available through XD Bockers

We plan on releasing more videos throughout the season as the weather continues to stay nice. Keep an eye out here for any release!

Trick Spotlight: Eltovator

Named after Elton the originator of this unusual technique. The Eltovator is deemed a trick due to the difficulty of the maneuver. The user gets on the ground on there knees directly behind them. Then with a burst of energy backwards. They hurl themselves over their hooves. As the hooves pivot on the ground. They quickly stand and take a step to balance themselves.

This takes loads of practice to accomplish. We recommend you practice in the grass. As the falls forward upon failing this trick can hurt. Mainly in the wrists and knees.

But here's a basic how to once you've found yourself on the ground.

Get to the position as shown in the below videos.

Get your mind focused to do the trick. Take a couple small "practice motions" to help get ready if needed.

Lean as far back towards your hooves as you can.

We highly recommend you put both hands at the bottom of your spring and hold on. This gets your bodies weight far enough back to pivot on the springs properly when you attempt this.

As you go backwards and pivot over your hooves, Let go of the springs, stand up and step immediately forward. Other wise you'll fall.

Video here on youtube. Or head over to xdbockers.com and check out the trick section!

Happy Holidays (Last minute Shipping)

Merry Christmas! There is nothing like watching someone you care about open up a large wrapped box on Christmas and their amazed expression as they realize they have been given an awesome pair of power stilts.

Now I want to help make that magical moment happen. I get lots of logistical questions this time of year because the moment is fast-approaching, and FedEx isn't as fast as Santa's sleigh. Our standard shipping method is via FedEx Ground. The following are FedEx shipping times, broken up by each Brand. Note that it also takes about one full business day to process and pack the order. We'll work to try to ensure fast shipping times this week.

PowerStrider Items

Poweriser Items

Pads/Helmets/other

DC Power Stilts is happy to send you items using expedited delivery but the shipping cost is approximately twice the amount for FedEx 2-day, and around 3x times for FedEx overnight.

DCpowerstilts meet the XD Bockers

We had a great meet up in Savannah, Georgia with David from DCpowerstilts and all the local members of the XD Bockers. Josie, Doug, Kathleen, and DJ were all able to join David and Anne-marie

October 2010 Newsletter - Awesome Halloween Ideas

October 2010 Newsletter - Don't Fall Autumn Edition

Happy October! Insanely hot, Summer days are now in the past. Crisp, cool days are perfect for stepping out on your power stilts. Some thoughts and ideas for the season:

Halloween is coming up...
Costume time! How about blowing them all away by adding some stilts... Some costume ideas that work great with power stilts: Burner, Stilt Showgirl, Satyr, SciFi Punk, Parade Jester, Uncle Sam, Demon, Angel, Cheerleader, creature, alien, etc. (Click links to see photo ideas) You'll want to get your stilts ASAP if you don't already have a pair because you will need time to practice.

Remember Stilting over the Summer in DC?
Commemorate and show off your unique skills with a DC-themed "Capital Bocking USA" wicking, active performance shirt. The all-American design is perfect for showing your patriotic during this election season as well. Show off your patriotic red, white & blue for just $28.
(Limited supply, so order soon to ensure you can get one in your size.)

New: Private Event Try-out lessons
DC Power Stilts is equipped to provide try-out lessons for your next event. Over fifty try-out lessons were given at a big opening party put on by the famous PinkLine Project. Let me know if your event needs an interactive component that will make a big splash!

If Autumn leads to a Fall...
Safety gear is so important that DC Power Stilts now carries high-end Triple-Eight Saver Series Protective Gear, and Viking Skate Helmets. Although hard falling is unusual, wearing these cool pads every time further minimizes your risks. Wrist protection is extremely important so I am testing top-of-the-line Triple-Eight "Hired Hands" wrist protection (pictured right). Seems to me keeping your hands safe is worth the $40. Let us know if you would be interested in a pair.

5-Star Service
Customers love us, and we strive to provide consistent 5-star service! Our goal is to offer quality goods at fair prices and upfront shipping rates to anywhere in the continental USA. We also offer free customer pickup.
> Unfiltered Feedback (let DC Power Stilts try to earn your 5 stars too.)
> DC Power Stilts Web Shop

Upcoming Meetup: Rally to Restore Sanity / Keep Fear Alive
October 30 - National Mall, Washington, DC
What happens when political comedians get together to put on a huge show in the middle of Washington DC? No one knows since it's never been done... Lets attend on stilts!
> Let me know if you would like to join us.

Upcoming Meetups: XD Bockers (DC Power Stilts Affiliate)
Weekly - Savannah, Georgia
> Learn More

And finally, please join us on Facebook!
Your feed will immediately get tips, news, coupons, event announcements, videos, and who-knows-what-else.
> DC Power Stilts

Do you know someone who should try walking on stilts? Please FWD this blog entry along! Thanks.

Tips: Springs Break In Period

Powerbocking Tips and Advice:

New Poweriser spring break in period

When you have either first strapped on your brand new set of Jumping Stilts. Or have recently replaced your springs. You'll notice that the spring is stiff and slightly difficult to compress. For a Newbie this is something you won't be able to tell the difference on. But for an experienced user, you'll notice that you won't even get any give in the spring at all.

This is simply due to the way springs are made. Over time the fiberglass in side begins to break down resulting in a softer and more responsive feel.

New users will need to use this period to work on mostly walking, and light running. Try simple Pogo Jumps and Bounces on the spring for a while. Typically about the time you get the basics down your springs will have "broken in" and you'll get the response you need out of them.

A good way to spot Unbroken in Springs against a Broken in Springs is when you wear them. Broken in springs will bounce ever so slightly as you walk. Unbroken in springs will stay stiff as a board and not move at all.

For experienced users it's best to break your springs in by first walking around for a couple minutes. Adjust yourself to the feeling you've almost forgotten about from when you were a newbie. Do a small jump. Walk a bit, and begin jumping more and more.

Springs break down quickest after being nearly bottomed out constantly. Just take it slow and you'll find that you've broken your spring in after only a couple sessions.

Tip: Try a bunch of set ups. Run into a jump, launch yourself from one foot. Land hard utilizing your arms to help bottom. Keep going until you've nearly bottomed about three times.

Mix those up with some hard pogo jumps. Be sure to use both legs equally to keep wear even on both springs.

Remember! If this seems like hard or annoying work. Think of it this way. You're burning a bunch of calories! An average adult will burn nearly 300 calories in 15 minutes of jumping.

Bock Report: Take a Kid Fishing

A couple weeks back the XD Bockers of Savannah, Georgia. Attended a charity event for the Children's Miracle Network. Two Local Members showed up, as well as a guest from the Midwest portion of our group.

Savannah Now a local paper highlighted the fundraiser with a notice towards us in it.

Fishing wasn't the only activity of the day at The Farm. D.J. Bothwell entertained the crowd by doing stunts on his power stilts,

"I saw people doing this on YouTube," Bothwell said. "I started a club in Savannah and I teach people how to do this. I'm here today entertaining the kids."

Bothwell was getting mixed reactions. The kids were delighted, the parents - not so much.

"Some of the kids ask about it, and their parents tell them, 'It's not for kids,'" Bothwell said. "I say, 'Well, actually, it is,' and the parents say, 'No, it isn't.'"

The leaps and somersaults were certainly impressive, and even just running, it was obvious Bothwell was having fun. "It's a full body workout," he said. "I don't think of it as exercise when I'm doing it. It's a lot of fun and you get a good workout as a benefit."

You can view the entire article Here. The online article doesn't have any pictures of us. But the printed paper has a picture of DJ landing from a jump.

You're Invited to go Stilting

May 2010 - Spring into Summer!

Yes, its soon going to be a fabulous day to go stilting. Whether you're doing jumps in your local park, running around town, or going going for a hike in the country, power stilts are a fun, aerobic way to actively enjoy a lovely day.

Get Into It!
If you have been waiting to try it, now is a great time. What is it all about? Some of the latest activities have been posted about below on the Powerbocking Blog. It's easy to sign up for a free try-out lesson.

Connect With --or Become-- An Affiliate
DC Power Stilts believes that you should be able to connect with us at a local level. That is why I support a network of affiliates all across the country who are promoting the sport, having some fun and even earning cash. Affiliates want to help you learn more about the sport.

We are looking for people who want to organize groups, make friends, and have fun on stilts. DC Power Stilts Affiliates get generous commissions, special benefits, and unbeatable prices on gear. A new online affiliate management site even makes it easy to create tracking codes, track earnings and measure your success in real-time when a customer enters your codes.
> Find an affiliate
> Apply to become part of the team

You're Invited to Attend: Capital Bocking USA 2010
Friday, June 25- Sunday, June 27
Last year's largest meet-up event in the USA was featured in the Washington Post and other news. This year it looks like it is continuing to grow. Join with experts on stilts from across the country in Washington DC, leaping, bounding and performing acrobatics in our iconic city. We'll have several events that will include various challenges, for an enjoyable weekend of powerbocking. Suitable for beginners who have their own stilts and can walk on them unassisted.

Last year's comments: "150% fun", "learned alot", "don't hesitate to come!"
> Hurry! Pre-order the shirt for just $20, ($30 after June 3rd)!
> Learn more + RSVP today

Get Outfitted With Our 5-Star Service
Our customers love us, and we strive to provide consistent 5-star service! Our goal is to offer quality goods at good values and upfront shipping rates to anywhere in the continental USA. We also offer free customer pickup. (For shipping rate, add something to the DC Power Stilts Web Shop, and click on shipping.)
> Unfiltered Feedback (let DC Power Stilts try to earn your 5 stars too.)
> DC Power Stilts Web Shop

Upcoming Meetup: Stiltwerks Annual Bock Off
June 18-20 - Las Vegas, Nevada
> Learn More

Upcoming Meetups: XD Bockers (DC Power Stilts Affiliate)
Weekly - Savannah, Georgia
> Learn More

Safety Note:
First-Generation PowerStrider Olympic Stilts came with a clamp screw and wing nut that easily becomes stripped. Stripped clamp screws will negatively affect the performance of the cuff. PowerStrider will replace this part for affected Customers.
> Notice on the Powerbocking Blog
> Contact PowerStrider

Join us on Facebook!
> DC Power Stilts
> XD Bockers (Georgia and Midwest)

Do you know someone who should try walking on stilts? Please FWD this newsletter along!
> Share this note on Facebook!

Safety Bulletin: PowerStrider Olympics

The new generation of the PowerStrider Olmpic Stilts comes with an innovative cuff clamp. However the first design included wing-nuts which will strip the threads of the screw. When this happens, the cuff may loosen up and slip while in use.

Since this problem can manifest itself while the stilts are in use, please be on the lookout for stripped screws and if your stilts came with a wing-nut, contact PowerStrider USA about getting a free replacement under the warranty program.

Note that the current version of the product comes with upgraded parts already.

Last Mondays Meet

On Monday April 26th 2010. The XD Bockers had another meet up in Savannah, Georgia. Our local official members Doug, and Josie turned out for the event. So in total there was three bockers up off the ground.

We drew a rather large crowd by Forsyth Parks Fountain. We performed various tricks, and answered tons of questions.


Before the big crowd hit however. A Local photographer from Dream Weaver Photos captured these pictures of yours truly.













The pictures were taken both by the fountain, and over on the stage. Overall the meet was fun. After the photos, the crowd. The three of us ran and walked all the way to the end of the park before stopping for the day. Which itself is likely a quarter mile or longer.

We'd love to have more people to join us. So don't forget, try outs are available here in Georgia!