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Press release San Francisco
NEW eXTREME SPORT JUMPING ITS WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO!
Are you ready to experience new sensations?
Then it is time for you to put on a pair of jumping stilts
and invade the city streets on your daily commute or your fitness training.
Invented in 2001 by German Alexander Boeck (hence the name of Powerbocking for this new sport) these stilts on springs have already taken Europe by storm.
The structure, worn up to the knee, is composed of a fiber glass spring mounted on an aluminum structure. The feet rest on pads and are secured in straps similar to snowboard bindings. The mechanical system transmits the downward push into the spring and launches the rider into the air.
This new sport can be compared to trampoline practice, only you can take it out anywhere!
Jump as high as 6 feet, leap 10 feet strides, run up to 20 mph!...Adrenaline high guaranteed!
"At first, it is a little uncomfortable to wear, but with the right
layer of padding, you start feeling as if it is just an extension of your legs" says aficionado Jam Iksoulene, a native from France living in San Francisco. Perched 17 inches above the ground, he regularly practices on the Embarcadero.
"I just started the sport and I am already addicted. The moves are much like trampoline. It is a great work-out and a great way to meet people! You can't be shy about it...It is definitely an eye catcher. People stare at me and most stop me with all kinds of questions!"
Different styles have already developed and continue evolving:
* Fitness training (beginner’s level): Within a few hours of practice you can walk, run, and jump. It is excellent cardio training: 98 % of the muscles are involved and you can burn calories 5 times faster than regular jogging.
* Street style (intermediate level): Street style consists in utilizing urban elements like it is done in "Parkour". The goal is to move from one point to another
as efficiently as possible, overcoming obstacles in the surrounding environment: stairs, fences, benches, rails, garbage cans etc...
* Freestyle (advanced level): Involves a variety of acrobatic figures and combinations of flips, grabs, 360, doubles. Moves can choreographed in shows and the need for performers on jumping stilts has been increasing.
"IS IT FOR ME?"
Anyone can enjoy this new sport; there has been minimal failure among the people who tried. Just like any other sport, you need to go through a learning curve and the results will depend on your physical ability. Only a certain number of people will achieve to do acrobatic stunts, however most do achieve to run and jump with some practice. Although people take their stilts to all sorts of terrains, it is easier and safer to start on a dry paved surface, with the help of a friend standing next to you. Use protection gear as you would for skateboarding or rollerblading. Using common sense will reduce the risk of falls.
Classes are now available in San Francisco
To learn how to flip on the jumping stilts, you can take classes or group workshops from highly qualified teachers at the San Francisco Circus Center. Lessons include practice on the trampoline and landings on crash mats. Call the Circus center to register: (415) 759-8123
Could Jumping Stilts revolutionize the way we commute in cities?
It could be very possible, considering the number of people who are already trading their bicycles and rollers in Europe. In fact, it is becoming so popular, that France is in the process of creating the Official French Federation of Jumping Stilts and is planning the first competitions this year.
Little Big Foot 2008 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED