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.

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.

Beautiful Bocking Weekend

Wow! Saturday and Sunday with nice 70 degree weather in Washington DC. AKA two great days for bocking :-) Yesterday, here in Friendship Heights, I demonstrated the power stilts and taught a doctor to have a higher perspective. Today I worked on a video project for the National Parks and Recreation Magazine, and then met up with a friend in Dupont Circle. Since he was running a little late, I decided to get some exercise and bock around for a bit. I was pretty thirsty from the video project, but I had a Gatorade stashed in my car. However, Just as I finished putting on my stilts, a Red Bull truck pulled up with free samples... It was fun. As my friend and I headed to brickskeller for a brew, I was putting something in my car when I ran into a fellow who had just finished dinner with a bottle of wine, and wanted an impromptu lesson.

After a brief lesson on my demo stilts (originally $499), he taught me & my friend how to use his $5000 Segway. I think we need to have a power stilts vs segway polo match. Amazing device, but I'll take ten pairs of stilts and some excersize with my transportation. Bocking was enjoyed and hopefuly a few more people can say they have seen power stilts in action. Thank you beautiful weekend :-)

"Bock" Obama Inauguration Festivities

After listening to Obama take the Oath of Office via a Jumbotron, the energy and exuberance of the crowd was enough to make you want to jump for joy!

Of the 1.8 Million people celebrating the inauguration in downtown DC, only the coolest, best-informed were smart enough to bring their own stilts.

Security zones were arbitrary and unclear, but walking all over town was a given, and the usual transport network had been mostly shut down by the sheer size of the crowds. Standing above the crowd really added to the awareness of the magnitude of what was going on.



Compare the above picture taken of me in front of the WW2 memorial with the picture from atop stilts below. While everyone was on their toes to peer over each other's heads, I was marveling in the incredible views.


Visit my flickr photostream for more pictures from "Bock" Obama Inauguration Festivities.

Unfortunately with cold temps below freezing all day, weather was not ideal to spend the day doing outdoor activities, so only one polar bear went bocking into history with the "Bock" Obama Inauguration. Although it has been noted that performers on spring stilts entertained at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.