I’ve always thought of footbag as an excellent way to dissolve differences. People from all walks of life can step into a footbag circle and through the cooperative interaction for a common goal, keeping the bag in the air, all our differences seem to dissolve. It doesn’t matter what your political persuasion or your religious beliefs may be, it doesn’t matter if you have a financial portfolio or live at a homeless shelter, all members of the circle have something in common and something to offer.
The love of footbag, or similar sports by different names, is global in scope. I recently received and email from a man who visited Israel and Palestine and used footbag to break the ice and make friends. It turns out his skills were appreciated!
Here is Robert Ponzio in Palestine:
Here he is in Israel:
Ponz has also traveled in Southeast Asia and has blogged about his attempt at footbag diplomacy on his WEBSITE.
Take footbag into the world and create peace and new friendships wherever you go!
So, what really went down at the US Open? That’s what you all really want to know. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you. The level of difficulty was through the roof and I can’t even follow trick names anymore. Requests comp. was beyond belief as Penske, Landes and Moir contorted their bodies into incredible forms, executing commands conveyed through some foreign language, recognizable by perhaps 30-40 people on earth. I just stood and watched in wonder and amazement.
Landes revealed an incredibly beautiful, brilliantly choreographed routine to me earlier in the week, and I didn’t even get to see it at the US Open because his ipod was at our house, he improvised first round, and the competition was fierce, end of story. Justin Dale knocked Landes out of Circle and Routine, and as a side note, Somolinos knocked Penske out of Circle finals. Then Nick slipped effortlessly into the role of MC on finals day, a job well done. After a day on the mic, Nick ruled in Rippin’ Run, and Justin Dale was going the distance with two strings of 70+ contacts.
The routine performed by Moir showed us what true showmanship is all about. Connecting with the audience, letting them participate in the routine and feel included in the fun, while demonstrating his skills with the utmost style. But first Moir established that no one out there is quite as technically diverse and creative. Literally dropping to the ground after his second round of density in Circle finals, Moir Destroyed his competition. Actually, I was off preparing for my routine during Circle Finals but I caught the end, including a phenomenal run by Somolinos, who is finishing out his tournament season very strong. Number 2 is becoming his new favorite number.
Routines were amazing and I have to say I was happy to see Penske keep his crown as US National Champion. It was super close between Penske and Somolinos, I’m just glad I wasn’t a judge. Actually, knowing both players for over ten years, I would have enjoyed seeing either of them walk away with the title. I’m sure Ken wished he was the one walking away with $500 cash, sorry Ken. Both put on dropless Routines, and I really don’t know if I personally have seen dropless routines from these guys, ever. We ended the day with an inspiring speech from Jim at the Awards Ceremony. Really, all in all I’d have to say the weekend was magic!
And it’s not over. It’s after 6 a.m. and I’m off the bed. I loved the 4 a.m. walk, and running into Kevin Crowley randomly on some strange and dark Boise street. But not too dark, due to the light of the full moon. Evan Lovely rolled into town and met us at the bar after the event was over, better late that never, as he was about to embark on an Idaho rafting adventure.
There was lots of love and some Jesus energy permeating the park, thanks to the longtime legend John Stalberger. This event wouldn’t have happened without all his hard work and the effort of so many of his friends here in the Boise community. Much appreciation to Zeb Jackson for all his hard work planning and directing, and to his brother Zak for taking care of music all weekend. The longboard from the Board Shop was won by the photographer Tim Love, and the $50 gift card from Newt and Harolds skate shop went to a 21 year old woman from Denver who was visiting family in Boise when she effortlessly won the Last Man Standing novice event. Oh yeah, Freedom Footbags helped make this happen with lots of donations and hard work, so yay to us for doing what we can to help bring great freestyle events to the players, and exposing the evolving sport of hacky sack to the greater community.
I’m just glad I got the thin layer of cloud cover I ordered in advance to keep the hot sun at bay.
Good night my friends,
More to come.
Until next time, be well.
P.S. Did I mention I’m the new U.S. Open Women’s Champion? There’s a story I’ll tell later.
Freedom Footbags is a proud sponsor of this event.
The 2011 U.S. Open Freestyle Footbag Championships will be the biggest freestyle footbag event of 2011 in the United States! Witness some of the greatest players in the country competing for the number 1 spot, including the current national champion Jim Penske of Boise, Idaho. Will Jim continue to hold this title or will he be defeated? Come the to 1st Annual Gold’s Gym Sports, Fitness, and Arts Festival to find out!
When: August 11th-14th
Where: Boise/Meridian Idaho (Finals at Settler’s Park Aug 13th)
NW Corner of W. Ustick Rd and N. Meridian Rd, Meridian, ID
Events:
Routines: Intermediate and Open Division
Circle Competition: Intermediate and Open Division
Big1: Novice, Intermediate and Open Division
Big 3: Intermediate and Open Division
Rippin’ Run: Intermediate and Open Division
Novice Kicking Competition (Last Man Standing)
Novice Longest Hack (teams of 3)
Prizes:
Open Division: This will be a cash prize event
Footbags, gift certificates, and other merchandise to Intermediate and Novice players
Registration Fees (includes players pack):
$45 for Open ($40 without a shirt)
$25 for Intermediate ($20 without a shirt)
$2 per novice event entry
Lodging:
Country Inn & Suites
$75 per room for up to 4 people in a room
Continental breakfast with special hot meal. They will run shuttles to and from the event.
3355 E Pine Ave.
Meridian, ID 83642
208-639-3300 (Use this number to book a room/s) Ask for “Fun in the Sun” rate!
Tentative Schedule (subject to change):
Thursday, Aug. 11th:
7 pm- Pre-registration and early check-in at Freedom Footbags, the home of Daryl and Sunny. Located at 2912 S Garden St, Boise, Idaho 83705
Friday, Aug. 12th:
12:30pm- Late registration & check-in
1:00- Player’s Meeting
2:00- Circle competition first round
3:00- Routines first round
4:00- Big 1/Big 3
5:00- Request Contest
Saturday, Aug. 13th:
12:00pm- Public footbag demonstration
1:00pm- Novice Kicking Competitions (Big 1 followed by Last Man Standing)
3:30pm- Circle Contest finals (Intermediate followed by Open)
4:30pm- Routine finals (Intermediate, Women’s Open, Men’s Open)
5:30pm- Rippin’ Run
7:00pm- Awards ceremony
7:30pm- Player’s dinner at Idaho Pizza ($5 all you can eat)
Sunday, Aug. 14th:
11:00pm- Casual shred, BBQ, and disc golf at Eagle Island State Park.
Sponsors:
Elite footbag
Fun in the Sun Events
Fourkast
Nucleus Footwear
Holly Mathews Footbags
Zach Hoffa Footbags
Brian Bear Footbags
Abshire Footbags
Freedom Footbags
Hania Footbags
Flying Clipper
World Footbag Association
Dragonfly Footbags
Country Inn & Suites
Idaho Pizza Company
Organizers:
Tournament Director: Zeb Jackson
(208) 201-7578 or vizibility0@yahoo.com
Event Director: John Stalberger
To honor the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we are offering 20% off everything through July 4th. Use the coupon code FREE11 at checkout. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!
