"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.

Web Store Now Verified by Google

After much delay and some red tape, Google finally awarded me their "checkout" badge. Basically that means in every Google seller listing, I get a little shopping cart icon. The implication is that I'm now verified and a trustworthy seller. Just thought I'd post the good news :-) Here's my Google seller rating. Please let me know what I can do to earn your five/five.

"Bock" Obama Inaugural Festivities

In less than two weeks, DC will be "the place to be" with the much anticipated Inauguration of Barack Obama. Many DC businesses will be shut down for the Inaugural Festivities, but DC Power Stilts will be OPEN!

Whether you are from DC or if you are visiting over the inaugural weekend, it will be a good time to schedule a tryout lesson. (click on >>> to select times/days.)

DC Inaugural Meetup
During the holiday weekend, we will meet and take to the inaugural route on our stilts. We will show our new leaders, and others what it looks like to take the high road (from 18" higher).

On inauguration day, imagine the crowds fighting for a view of the parade route. If only you could rise above them and see the acts and the new presidential Cadillac for yourself... DC Power Stilts will be watching the historic event from on high, spring-loaded stilts with extra mobility for the long walks and a vision for the future.

Join us and go powerbocking into history! (Contact DC Power Stilts if interested)

Christmas Miracles since 2008

Poem inspired by my customers

Twas the week before Christmas, with time running out,
The gift has been chosen, too late for ground route,
The tree has been set, and decorated with care,
lonely for power stilts that soon would be there.

We waited all night and morning snug in our beds,
While bocking tricks and videos played in our heads.
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
Stilts were being labeled, and shipped via sky,

Then all of a sudden there came a loud clatter,
and then on the walkway a faint pitter-patter,
Away to the window I flew with fling of quilts,
FedEx Express Overnight arrived with spring stilts.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be named Nick.
Miracles delivered when he drove out of sight,
He bellowed:
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

And to share my inspiration:

Thank you so VERY much, David, for making this happen. I suspect that my other two kids--as well as kids in our neighborhood--will be buying more from you. I will be CERTAIN to recommend you. Thank you again, David. Have a wonderful Christmas!

How long will Shipping take?

I just added this to my FAQ Page. Every customer wants to know how long shipping will take. As each order ships, I always send you the FedEx tracking information. However it's often useful to have the answer before placing the order, for planning purposes.

So whats the answer? It depends where you live :)

Here's the map:

Please note: These estimated shipping times are not a guarantee. Shipping normally starts the business-day-after the order was placed. Packages in transit will move over the weekends, but FedEx pickups and deliveries only occur on weekdays.

Hope this helps!

Sign-Up to Join Us

Given the unpredictable weather this time of year, I'm not generally scheduling promotional events, but I am doing tryouts evenings and weekends by appointment. I'm based out of Friendship Heights and if you can make it here, I'm very open on the available day/times.

New: There's now an online signup form that streamlines the process.

Use our new form to:

• sign up for a free tryout
  
• schedule a lesson
  
• sign up for news and discounts
  
• send us a message
  

Video from Bock NYC

Group trick:


Nicely edited! (I'm in camouflage pants with blue springs.)

Upgrading to the Calf Cuff

A customer recently ordered the upgrade kit for his 7 League boots to put on the Poweriser calf cuffs.

Hey. Would just like to say thanks for the cuffs. I also noticed that you added the bolts on there too, thanks for that ;D, really shows you care about your customers... I'm sure it will work out. Thanks again, hope to do business with you again.

Bravo for happy customers!! He's agreed to put together a tutorial on how to do the upgrade, so I'll post that on my website soon. Apparently it was pretty easy.

Cure Pain! Feel Younger!

Love to see another satisfied customer...

Hi David,

Just to let you know, the Powerisers are great! I spent most of this long weekend at Rock Creek Park trying them out, and it has been great fun.

I used to run in college (competitive, 800m and 1500m), but I often had an injured achilles tendon or trouble with my ankle. All of that is a thing of the past with these Powerisers.

The response from people is great too.

Items In DC Right Now

Speaking of in-person pickup, I have a beautiful pair of shiny new blue kids stilts (for 66-110lbs), which are the hottest-selling item so far. Don't worry parents... I have the kid-sized safety pads in stock too. I also have both the classic stilts and advanced stilts in 110-154lb range. If you are in that weight range, you could be bocking home today!

Otherwise, your order can be shipped here from the warehouse at no cost to you, although it does take about 3-5 business days.

Free In-Person Pickup

I just wanted to clarify some things about the DC Power Stilts free in-person pickup. It's a unique feature of our business that is a combination of savings, convenience, and service. When you place an order at the , specify the "free pickup" delivery option. I'll email you once I have your item here. If your item is in-stock, you can arrange to pick it up right away! We are based in in Friendship Heights. For extra convenience, I can bring it to your neighborhood if I have business there (for example, weekend lessons or promotional try-outs). When you pick up your stilts, you may get them adjusted, fitted and even try them on prior to committing to the payment. A 10-min intro lesson is included also.

A Good Route For Fresh Air

For some quick exercise and some fresh air, I usually do a loop starting down River Road and connecting to the Capital Crescent trail. Taking the trail to Bethesda, then stopping for a well earned ice cream or a snack. Finally I'll go bocking back down to Friendship Height on the sidewalk of Wisconsin Ave, about 5 miles.

What is the Warranty?

Poweriser USA provides a general one-year free-from-defects warranty except for springs and hoof rods that come with a six-month warranty.

As for the warranty, the standard warranty is provided by the manufacturer so as a result is the same no matter where you buy them, however I do additionally offer locally managed service for customers which makes it easier in case of an issue.

For more details, see the appropriate page on the DC Power Stilts site.

Poweriser Luggage Road Test

This bag was road-tested at Bock NYC, and performed admirably. It has a strap for holding the stilts securely, and plating to keep them from being dinged up. is able to hold stilts, padding, clothes, and had empty room for bringing things back. The dis/advantage to this suitcase is that it's pretty large, but it's the perfect shape suitcase for our stilts. I have a very large Swiss Army suitcase/duffel that I use for skiing, and it didn't come close to being able to fit the spring stilts.

Pulling it on the wheels was ideal for walking to the train and the bus. With two sets of handles and a shoulder strap, lifting it over turnstyles and climbing up multiple sets of stairs to get out of the NYC subway was as easy as grabbing it.

Overall, the trip added a few scuffs, but this is the solution for traveling with stilts. Tip: It comes with a lock in the side pocket, but US airlines prohibit most kinds of zipper locks.

7 leagueboots not competetive

Interesting... I Emailed the European manufacturer of 7 League Boots, which is a similar product to the Poweriser, but with slightly different design and spring characteristics.

It seems they aren't interested in working with an established USA dealer and perhaps are not priced competitively enough to be interested in our market...

thank you for your interest in our incredible 7leagueboot!... only jumping stilts like the original German Powerskip are allowed to be sold together with our 7leagueboot! We only accept equal products like the original Powerskip!

So we advise you that it is not possible to consider you as our 7leagueboot-trader!

I think this is just an excuse, as there's very little demand for the skips, and there aren't any businesses that could profit from just that brand. Seems like they are pretty far from being equal to the Powerskip. The stilts are twice as much as the Poweriser brand, and don't even offer the new cuffs.

I wonder if they are afraid to open a dealership in the USA? Could it be our product certifications and packaging requirements? Our culture of lawyers and insurance costs?