Tricking: Star

Read to learn how to trick? Let's get our safety gear on, and get to it. Today we'll be covering a very simple trick to do. That looks great on camera.

The Star!

The star is a very simple trick to pull off. It's basically a modified trampoline trick fitted for powerbocking. At the height of your jump. You bring out you legs angled from you, and raise your arms up at an angle. The point is so that you resemble a star in mid-air. Don't forget to give yourself time to land!

This ones fairly easy to pull off. Theres no special tricks, only just timing and practice.

Go give it a try!

Tips for Newbies: Start Tricking - Tucks

Tricking is usually what everyone wants to do straight away. When we first find out about these crazy things called Jumping Stilts. A lot of us end up searching the web, and stumble upon countless videos of other people, flipping, jumping off crazy things, and performing many different tricks on them.

It's no wonder when we finally get a set of our own. That we'd want to jump straight into pulling off all sorts of wild powerbocking tricks. Well, once you've mastered how to stand, walk, run, jump, and do it all well. Without thinking about performing each of the steps. I'd say you're ready to hop from stage 1 of learning, and go into the beginning stages of tricking. Be sure to wear your pads and helmet though! At this point it's even more vital then ever! BE SAFE.

What kind of tricks are there? Well there is countless named tricks, and there is always new ones being created. Our sport of powerbocking is still very young and accordingly, we're still learning more and more insane things to do.

A short list of basic ones would go like so:

• Tuck
• Star
• Spring Grab
• Double Spring Grab
• Pike
• Split Kick

Among many other variations and more advanced tricks. But let's take it slow shall we? I personally started learning the very basic trick the tuck first. Let me explain what exactly it is, and how I do it.


A tuck is basically where when you're at the top of your jump. You bring your knees towards your chest, hold them there in air as if you're "tucked" in a ball of sorts.

Tucking takes a certain amount of timing, flexibility, and technique to get down right. The longer you're able to hold one in the air the better the trick looks. Just never forget to give yourself enough time to land. At first, you'll find your tucks only being split second long. But eventually you'll master the timing and get enough height to do it right.

Be sure to keep a clear head, be calm and always just calmly grab your knees as you bring them up. Hold them towards your chest, and let go. Practice this over and over until you get it down without thinking about it. In the included photo, you can see I'm starting to come down from a tuck. As a proper one would of had very little air space in between my legs and body.

Go get practicing, and I'll explain another trick next time!

Bock Spot: LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa.

Taking a short break from my tip series of articles. I am taking this chance to share with you. Some of the XD Bockers favorite local powerbocking spots of the Midwest. Starting close to home in the Quad Cities very own LeClaire Park.

LeClaire Park is located right on the banks of the Mississippi River as it is also located near Modern Woodmen Park. LeClaire Park hosts many summer events including River Roots Live and Ribfest

This park is situated along the "Great River Trail" a several mile bike path the stretches all along the banks of the river, across a bridge and along the Illinois side and back again. Because of this, it is excellent for long range running sessions on Jumping Stilts. I've found myself many a afternoon running from one part of the bike path to another. It's very scenic for Iowa, and offers several interesting stops along the way. (More on those spots another article!)


At the front of the park is a massive sound stage. Which at my rough guess is at least 5 and half feet tall. I find much enjoyment in running towards the stage, leaping upon it on my knees, pushing off, going out a couple feet. Jumping, and continue out a few feet, rotate in air and come back to the stage. Only to leap back up, push off and repeat in the same constant jump. It's great fun, and a super work out.




In front of the stage is a rather large flat clear area great for jumping around. I personally practice most of my in air rotations here.

Please take a moment and watch these videos of the area. Videos explain better than written words ever could! Right? Right?!





Overall I consider this spot a personal favorite, as it offers more than one type of powerbocking activity, and is close to home. It's usually not over crowded. It also offers huge grassy areas for practice.

Tips for Newbies: Gaining serious height

Have you had a chance to work on your "Kangas", and "Pogos"? Can you get up from the ground alone? Have your proper safety gear strapped on? Well, let's move forward and work on getting what everyone really wants with their Powerstilts. Serious Height.

Gaining serious height

Gaining serious height takes confidence and guts. You have to commit yourself completely to it, you have to throw all your weight and not second guess yourself. I've found that utilizing a chain of all jumping techniques works best. Start with a pogo jump, go to a kanga jump, use your whole body. For best results I've always started from a run, then leaped into a kanga jump and continue leaping in a forward motion. It can be done in place, but takes practice to get the same height. The best method I found starting out. I like to call the "Set up " which takes a series of steps.

• 1st-You pick your spot to jump.

• 2nd- You take a moment and breath.

• 3rd- After you have sized up your jump. Get ready to take several steps. Act as if you're going into a run.

• 4th, use the same technique you learned with pogoing to launch yourself in the air. As you go upward bring your arms up with you. Because you started this with a run, you'll be going up and forward, keep this in mind.

• 5th- As you go down into a land. You'll be several feet from your "launching point" Put both feet down, into a "Kanga Land". As you land, bring your arms down hard. This will help give you an extra boost. As you get propelled back up. Bring your arms back up again. You'll end up still being propelled forward.

• Finally- As you're up in result to your first "Kanga Jump" prepare for another land. Utilize the same techniques as before. As you come down bring your arms with you at the right moment to keep yourself going. Continue this steps for as long as you can, or as long as you'd like. To stop quickly, I found that at just learning. Instead of Kanga Landing, I could use a one footed land, or a "pogo land" to kill my jump by bottoming on one foot.

Keep in mind that those steps are going to have you jumping forward in a straight line. This is what I found to be the best method starting out. Once you get the feel of gaining big air this way. It's a lot easier to do jumps say, stationary or in other variations.

Just go at your own pace, be safe, and you'll have tons of fun. Thanks for reading these tips from you local Davenport, Iowa Affiliate.

Tips for Newbies: Kangas

So you can walk, you can pogo, you can run, and most importantly you can get up without help? Great, now do you have all your proper safety gear? Elbow Pads, Knee Pads, Wrist Guards, and a helmet? Alright, perfect. Read on and I'll teach you what we like to call "Kangas" in the powerbocking community.

Kanga Jumping

Kanga Jumping is really just like Pogo Jumping. Except it uses BOTH stilts to get the max power out of them. This personally took me sometime to get down. As using both stilts will at first unbalance you in the air, and on your landings. Due to it using more power, and requires the timing of using both legs as one.

In my experience I started by just jumping in place. I would launch with both feet first, and just practice on jumping once. Until I became confident in my landings. I recommend doing it near a wall, or something to incase you need to fall forward.

I learned by jumping from one point to a safety aid. As I became more confident I eventually went further and further away until I stopped using aids altogether. To get the best jumps, launch yourself from a pogo jump into a kanga jump. Essentially, you jump with one leg. Land on that leg, propel upwards and land on both legs, which launches you for high air.

Kanga Bouncing

Kanga Bouncing like pogo bouncing is just the continued Kanga Jump. Once comfortable launching yourself in the air once. Begin to learn to do it over and over. Doing this is great fun, and really helps you learn to throw your weight into the stilts and get higher and higher air.

I find that when you launch yourself once. The best method to keep going is to throw your whole body into each landing. Throw your arms down as you land. It really helps get good results.

Here is a short video someone shot of me at an Anime Convention. It demostrates the basic principles of two footed jumping.



Thanks for reading, now get to bocking!

Tips for Newbies: Learning to run

Hello!

It's time to strap on those powerstilts, stand up and take off running. Careful, you'll be moving fast in no time. (Some of us can reach 20mph!) Don't forget to wear your safety gear as you try this!

Learning to run

Now that you've gotten down pogo bouncing from one leg to another. Utilize those basic skills and learn to run. Or in bockings case more learn to bound. Running with bocks is unlike running without them. So prepare to unlearn what you know, and relearn how to on stilts.

Essentially you put weight down on one leg, launch yourself forward and land with the other. Repeat this process by quickening the pace, and lengthening your stride. It takes a while to learn, but eventually you will learn how to let the stilts propel you forward. Just remember, put your weight in your heel and talk wider and wider steps.

Want to stop? At first just stick to slowly taking closer and closer steps. But eventually start utilizing pogo bouncing to stop your momentum. The best method to stop quickly is to exert all your forward force into upward momentum in a kanga jump. But get that down as time goes on.

Well there you have yet another small tip from your local Davenport, Iowa affiliate.

Tips for Newbies: Boing - boing

Let's get straight to it today. You ready for to get that bounce in your step? Have you already learned to walk? Well let's start into those one footed jumps, and bounces I like to call "Pogos". Continue reading to find out just what exactly "Pogo Jumping, and Bouncing" really is! Strap on those pads, helmets, and get to reading, then get up and go!

Pogo Jumping

Pogo Jumping is just what I like to call one legged jumps. It's a vital skill to learn to get yourself started in the bocking world. Now that you've learned to walk you'll want to learn to jump. But let's start with just one leg. Trust me, it's better to get this down first. Essentially a pogo jump is you putting weight down on one leg, launch yourself up, then landing on that leg and letting the spring propel you in the air and finally landing again. Shazam! pogo jump. Remember to center your weight in your heel. It really helps in balance and getting the most bounce.

Pogo Bouncing

Pogo Bouncing is really just a continued Pogo Jump. You launch yourself into a jump, land, go up, land again and continue. You do this all with one leg, you can switch legs to spice things up and help keep your balance. It's good to learn how to do it every which way. Getting this down is really great for your confidence, the fun factor and is a great way to wow your friends as you learn.

Thanks for reading these tips from your local Davenport, Iowa Affiliate.

Tips for Newbies: Getting up Unaided

It's time for yet another small tip. Direct from XDvandalDJ your Midwest local affiliate. Please read and learn from my personal experience. It helped me, and maybe just maybe it might help you. Be safe and be careful though! Now, let's try and get off the ground... without help!


Getting up Unaided


This is one of the most important skills to learn and get down. Seriously consider practicing this early on. Just picture this, you're out on your new stilts. You've attracted a crowd, then WHOAH! you fall. There goes your dignity. But WAIT! You can somewhat regain it back by getting up WITHOUT the help of your laughing friends.

This took me a few tries to learn. Plan to fall while doing this. Please, please wear proper safety gear, helmet, wrist guards, elbow, and knee pads.

Basically, you get on both knees leaning forward. Put your strongest leg up front, with the hoof on the ground and your knee bent. Pull it close to you, and lean your weight over it. Use a hand to grip it if needed. Push up from that leg, as you do pop your other leg around and then land on both feet.

Sounds and looks easier than it is. But eventually you'll get it down. Practice, practice, practice and eventually you'll pop up from the ground without even thinking about it.

Need more visual help? I personally learned from watching this video by BalthezarArith




Good luck!

Tips for Newbies: First Steps

Hello sirs and madams!

Below is the first edition in a series of articles written based upon my own personal experience. Keep reading and it might benefit you. Or at the very least entertain you! Let us begin this several part article with.... the first steps!

First Steps

It's really difficult to explain how to walk in these. You basically have to learn on your own. All I can basically tell you is ways I found to be easiest. First find something tall to sit on. Many people stress that you need to learn to get up from a fall right away. But I found that I needed to learn to stand and hold my balance before popping up to my feet from the ground. So I found something tall to sit on, put my bocks on and then stand. First it was difficult just to stand, so I held myself up on a nearby wall. What you need to do is just hold yourself there and get the feel of the stilts. Basically with these it's impossible to stay completely still. You need to stay constantly moving to keep balance. You'll learn in time to hold yourself without even thinking and remaining still longer and longer. But right off you're going to be all over the place. Just move one foot and then the other back and forth. Slowly getting to where you can take your hands from the wall. As you find you can do this longer and longer. Start slowly walking up and down the wall. DO NOT try and jump at this point. Just focus on staying upright. As you progress either get a friend to walk out with you. Or stay with the wall until you feel comfortable. Personally it took me a good 20 minutes to learn to stay up, and then half an hour to get to the point of walking unaided. Everybody differs though, don't worry about it and be safe.

Please take a moment and observe the video below of me aiding my friend Jeff in his first steps on stilts. Please keep in mind that this video is not a reflection of the lessons DCPowerStilts offer. DCPowerStilts offer much gentler steps and require the proper safety gear. Falling rarely, if ever occurs.




Ouch right? Well there you have my first tips for newbies. Keep checking back here often for more!

Why do you only sell certain brands of stilts?

This broken hoof is a result of a few hours of normal usage of a pair of the Chinese knock-off brand Powerizer Pro stilts. They may have changed their name to Air-Trekker, Power Strider, Flying Locust, or whatever, but design flaws and low manufacturing quality from this brand is well known and documented by numerous users. You might save a few dollars to buy a pair of these, but you'll get poor quality. Luckily, my customer was able to retrofit a pair of good Poweriser hooves in its place.

As a stilts dealer that represents bockers, I feel that stilts should be made such that they are suitable for regular usage. Because your safety rides on your stilts, only well-tested, quality products should be used.

DC Power Stilts is a small business, independent dealership, and we are able to represent any brands of stilts that we want to. Right now the best quality vs value for most users is going to be a pair of stilts from the Poweriser brand. For advanced users and professional performers, please ask me about the other alternatives. I can steer you away from bad brands and towards the good, proven products.

4th of July, Bix7 Streetfest, and more

Hello sirs and madams!

XDvandalDJ here yet again. With an exciting, yet long over due. Bock report! How did invading Red, White, Boom of Davenport, Iowa go? What about this Bix 7 Streetfest thing? Or what else have I and my fellow XD Bockers been up to? Well continue reading for full details.


The invasion on the 4th previously planned Here and mentioned in this very blog. Went fairly well. I along with JosieFailed, and XDbockerChris(As ground crew) had a blast. Excitement was high, we gathered on friday evening. Grilled out, and showed hundreds what Jumping Stilts were really like, with a marvelous backdrop of fireworks to boot! However, I regret to inform you that we had no pictures or videos taken for this event.


Onward to the Bix 7 Streetfest! This was a couple weekends ago. The Streetfest is in celebration of a massive 7 mile uphill, downhill, crazy marathon ran in honor of an old jazz musician. In downtown Davenport several streets were closed for this to happen. Many tents erected, many venders to sell, and a few concerts here and there. In the midsts of the thousands that gathered. I personally set forth into the crowds. Enjoying the ease of moving through them at a full head and shoulders taller than the rest.

I spent my time walking through the crowds, and jumping like a madman in available clearings. I really took advantage of the closed streets and really loved the intersections. I was invited to perform at a concert, and even walked past a newsreporter on bocks which briefly captured me.

JosieFailed later joined me for another go the final day of the festival. We bocked in front of even larger crowds, and were actually given free toy light sabers by some other attendees. Overall we had a very great time at this second "Invasion" event. Next year will be another planned event for sure.


Other than those two larger events. On this last Wednesday Josiefailed and I traveled to Burlington, Iowa to meet with XDbockerChris, and XDvandalJake. Myself, Josiefailed, and XDbockerChris all put on a short demo for a local camp for the mentally disabled that XDvandalJake helped run. We wowed many young kids that afternoon, and were just completely jazzed by the interest and energy these kids put out. We conducted this demo at Dankwart park, and later moved it to the skatepark there. When some local skaters expressed great interests. We were also photographed for the local paper. Check back at this blog for an updated entry, if and when those photos are published.

When XDvandalJake got off work from the camp, we all rounded the evening off with personal practice, and all around having fun on our jumping stilts.

For any one local looking to meet for a try out. Or to just have fun with us. Visit our group page, email me. Or check out this thread for short announcements of our day to day meetings. here

What are the replaceable parts?

How frequently do they need replacement?
Wear vs Usage really depends on a lot of factors. Note that the Poweriser warranty doesn't cover damages due to normal (or improper) use.

Poweriser Hooves are the most common part in need of replacement. If you are using your stilts on soft surfaces such as dirt or grass, the hooves will last years and years. If you are using them primarily to jump, they will last a while, but running and moving on pavement wears them down more quickly. In my experience, hooves last about one and a half season with occasional usage on pavement. This can be mitigated by the use of "tire socks", a tire or something rubber wrapped around the hooves.

Poweriser Springs are designed not to catastrophically fail, but over time it will wear more and more. The appropriate time to replace the spring is when you find the stilts "bottoming out" during regular usage. Again there's no established range on these because it depends greatly on the weight of the user, the kinds of usage, and any damage. My first pair of stilts have been used a few hours each week, and the spring is still fine after a year and a half... But I'm at the low end of the spring weight range.

The bearings will wear out if they are not occasionally maintained. Because of the bearings, exposure to water sand and grit should be avoided.

The rest of the parts should last for most of the lifetime of the stilts, but may need replacements from heavy usage or incidents that cause specific damage.

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

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