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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!