Yokel in Wiltshire

[trundler]

Sorry if I'm repeating anything obvious, but I have only limited internet time in middle of nowhere, so I have downloaded all the help stuff, and I'll read through it offline and check back in three days time: the internet is closed at weekends where I live(!)

 - * -

I've picked up a pair of "original" Poweriser 90-120's, for intended
professional use (new/potential bosses' idea).

I wanted the Pro version, but I couldn't because they aren't sold offline.
I've supplemented the inadequate calf bindings with little harnesses
(adjustable dog collars actually), and I use two long poles to steady
myself (clothesline props). The rest of the safety gear is standard.
-And lots and lots of helpers, naturally.

It is trickier than I thought and hard to see how to proceed, so
I'm going to seek stilt-walking training first.

I live in Chippenham, which is in NW Wilts between Swindon and Bath:
Is there anywhere near there I can find poweriser training,
padded practice sites, other poweriser owners to practice with?

I also ought to make clear that I'm 37, 6'3", 14.5 St (92Kg), male, used
to walking everywhere, and used to carrying heavy weights. I intend to
be carrying some equipment on me when using the powerisers professionally,
so that'll push the weight up.

So far, I have found a curcus workshop in Bristol, doing
classes @ £35:
http://www.circomedia.com/index.cfm/section.Evening
Specifically, E&M: (Equilibristics and Manipulation)
http://www.circomedia.com/index.cfm/section/EandM

[Athoul]

There are a couple options open to you, nobody runs proper training sessions as of yet but there are bocking groups around the country which welcome new members.

I'm part of the Jurassic Jumpers who are a group on the south coast, ranging from Hampshire all the way along to the Weymouth area. I'm near yeovil and have a gym we are allowed to use. Your more than welcome to come down for a bounce, add me on msn or send me a pm.

WelshBockers are another group in Cardiff who have regular meet and training sessions but i think you have to be a member to get access to the gym sessions.

Bristol, get in contact with FlyinMonkey as there is a few people in bristol and he could organise a meet if your interested.

Hope this helps 

[bmthbloke]

hi and welcome.

May one ask what the professional  work with them is? Cool if you cant say. As Athoul said there is a lil bunch Bristol way. However, I think the majority are students and ma well not be around there at the moment.

[darfgarf]

to get going, it's easier with other bockers help, but the simplest way seems to be start walking, it should feel like walking on your heels, but springy, and the poles probably aren't necessary, i tried using one when mine first arrived, but found i kept leaning forward and putting my weight on it, just keep at it, takes a while to get used to the feeling, but you will get there

[trundler]

After reading through all of the knowledge section I was able to download, I've realised that trying to start off my attempting to stand still and walk slowly was probably a mistake.
(Before reading your replies; and so I have to think again.)


In some of the Korean site's videos,

http://poweriser.co.kr/eng/movie/poweriser_low_200.wmv
(from 55 to 71 seconds in)

http://poweriser.co.kr/eng/movie/poweriser_middle_200.wmv
(10 to 35 seconds in)

it shows some guy bouncing on just the
one 'riser, pogo style. Perhaps this will be a good way to start, getting
a feel for things at least(?)

I'm part of the Jurassic Jumpers... I'm near yeovil and have a gym we are allowed to use.

I have to go down to Yeovil occasionally to participate in a user group, but it's expensive and I have
to zigzag on slow trains to get there, so I can't easily do that.

Bristol, get in contact with FlyinMonkey.

Willdo.

As Athoul said there is a lil bunch Bristol way. However, I think the majority are students and ma well not be around there at the moment.

Inwhich case it may have to be Cardiff (direct rail route) :

WelshBockers are another group in Cardiff who have regular meet and training sessions but i think you have to be a member to get access to the gym sessions.

So I need to know how much gym membership is there, and to compare rail prices with Yeovil.

 £6.50 Bristol
£15.70 Cardiff
£19.00 Yeovil

-Which boil's it down to gym fees and availability.

May one ask what the professional work with them is?

All I can say at the moment is that it's in advertising.
It's also intended (outside of work) to save me money on public transport. I'm looking forward to a total lack of punctures!


I may have to wait for a month to build up savings again after the outlay buying the things and all the safety gear,
I may be able to borrow a little travel cash as business expenses.

[Athoul]

WelshBockers are another group in Cardiff who have regular meet and training sessions but i think you have to be a member to get access to the gym sessions.

So I need to know how much gym membership is there, and to compare rail prices with Yeovil.

 £6.50 Bristol
£15.70 Cardiff
£19.00 Yeovil

-Which boil's it down to gym fees and availability.

I think its £40 for the year but your best bet is having a look on their site:
www.welshbockers.co.uk

[Theibault]

Having literally just started myself, the best advice i can give you is to spend time on your bocks. Start by walking around a building or something. Once you have a bit of balance, lengthen your strides. Also, stand by a wall and bounce. It may take a while, but I promise that all of a sudden, one day it'll all click. Additionally, practice falling. No better way to get past that fear than to just practice it.

[trundler]

I'm picking up lots of tips from this forum, so thanks for that.

I can only practise on Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday, because that's when
enough people are in the office to help catch (or rather film and/or curl up
with laughter).


Okay, I'm pm-ing away now, I've got rail fares, budgeting, and calendar data on hand.
Cardiff club membership is £40/year, gym membership N/a, gym hire; dunno - allow £10 per session?

I will split my plans into one informal meet outside a gym, and more regular sessions
in one. I intend to turn up to the Capital event, but I'll have to see what shape
my budget is in next week before I know for certain.

That, and I will take into account stilt walking practice, once I can find classes open
within the coming month.


Some experiments:

And now to try... putting one 'riser on and seeing if I can walk around with it on...

... Weelllll, that was educational: (and at 3:30 in the morning, too)

I tried walking, and at first I needed things to hang onto, then it was okay without.
During this time, my right leg was as normal, and my left raised up high, with
the thigh horizontal and the knee at 90'.


Producing some questions:

Can I lower the height I am off the ground to start with?

Looking at the slider more closely, I think it just alters the height of the calf-cuff
(which is the right height for me anyway) and nothing else. I can't see how it can move
anyway, because it's locked against the diagonal struts, and those consist of
a threaded bolt, which is *bent* as it enters the slider's block.
I'll leave the slider alone.

Should I be designating a left and a right poweriser, or do they both fit both legs equally well?

Are these things easier for less-tall people to use? Maybe I am at a disadvantage?

What is a "car path" (manual & stickers)? Do they mean "car park", or just "don't get run over"?
Do they mean that only applies in Korea?

[Athoul]

Okay, I'm pm-ing away now, I've got rail fares, budgeting, and calendar data on hand.
Cardiff club membership is £40/year, gym membership N/a, gym hire; dunno - allow £10 per session?

I think the gyms that the WB's use is £5 a session but again check on their website

That, and I will take into account stilt walking practice, once I can find classes open
within the coming month.

If you mean normal stilt practice then I think it will be a complete waste of your money, many stiltpeople who have tried bocks say its a lot different.
Just get out on your stilts as much as you can, you will pick it up surprisingly quickly.

Can I lower the height I am off the ground to start with?

Looking at the slider more closely, I think it just alters the height of the calf-cuff
(which is the right height for me anyway) and nothing else. I can't see how it can move anyway, because it's locked against the diagonal struts, and those consist of
a threaded bolt, which is *bent* as it enters the slider's block.
I'll leave the slider alone.

You cannot change the height of your bocks, I'm unsure where you got the idea of practicing with just a single bock on but its a ridiculous idea, you will learn so much quicker if you have both on.

Should I be designating a left and a right poweriser, or do they both fit both legs equally well?

The buckles on the bindings should end up on the outside of your feet, this will stop them hitting together and coming undone whilst in use.

Are these things easier for less-tall people to use? Maybe I am at a disadvantage?

Nope, its more to do with balance, some people can get on them and be running around in a couple of minutes whereas others take 20 mins to even learn to walk on them.

What is a "car path" (manual & stickers)? Do they mean "car park", or just "don't get run over"?
Do they mean that only applies in Korea?

Don't take any notice of the manual, its mostly covering their ass so they don't get sued and is also very badly translated.


Hope this helps

[XarnuSonci]

Should I be designating a left and a right poweriser, or do they both fit both legs equally well?

The buckles on the bindings should end up on the outside of your feet, this will stop them hitting together and coming undone whilst in use.

in addition to binding placement if you look at the plastic foot plate, there is a left and right one, slightly different.  You'll be able to tell.

[Theibault]

Should I be designating a left and a right poweriser, or do they both fit both legs equally well?

The buckles on the bindings should end up on the outside of your feet, this will stop them hitting together and coming undone whilst in use.

in addition to binding placement if you look at the plastic foot plate, there is a left and right one, slightly different.  You'll be able to tell.

You would think the curved side goes with the inside of your foot like a chalk darwing of it, but I noticed on Bocks, the straight side is the inside and the one with the curve is the outside. Hope that helps. PS, lower the calf cuff so that it isn't touching the bottom of your thigh when you have your knee bent 90 degrees.

[trundler]

I have made a back-protector, a combination of the type reccomended
on here and the protecting lacking in body armour.

I have a old bicycle with worn-out wheels at home, so I will take off
the tyres to make sock tyres and bind my springs.

Photos from this evening when processed (and taken).


A long time ago, powerisers weren't invented (AFAIK), and I saw
these petrol-powered boots... but couldn't afford them:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/820398.stm

The Skate Shop (Poole) said someone tried to sell them some,
which they refused on the grounds of danerousness.

Any relation to Powerisers?

[XarnuSonci]

no the aptly named "russian rocket boots" have no relation to bocks.  Though I saw a link on here not to long ago that they are trying to actually market them.  Don't know who would buy them when they could get bocks for much less money and less risk of exploding legs.

[trundler]

'Did a longer session last evening.

Had a nice high wall to lean against, like last week, and a high chair to start on.

I was slightly hampered by one of my (4) support crew breaking the chair while I
was bocking away, but one of them fetched what turned out to be a better chair,
so that was okay.

I was leaning to the side against the wall with lots of friction, and that helped
enough for me to be carrying but hardly leaning on, the poles.

I didn't feel like I was "walking on my heels" like I should have (and tried to),
but I was standing up much straighter than I usually do (lousy posture) and looking
straight ahead, which did wonders for my balance.

I even managed 2-3 steps completely unaided, which I couldn't contemplate last week,
and I did a little bouncing. It felt like I was walking over deep-pile rubber carpet,
or dead non-stinging jellyfish, or something, and I appreciated the suspension. The
support crew side it looked like I was humping the wall. Very funny, not.

Then the photographer asked to have a go, and I agreed. He was heavy enough
(surprisingly), so I helped him into my safety gear as I took it off. -And he
virtually bounded away straight off, the fiend.

He started off walking away from the wall, with the poles and taking deep bouncy
steps, and swearing loudly of course, because it naturally wasn't as easy as he
thought it looked.

He was in too much of a hurry to put on my wristguards or back protector, which
I wasn't best pleased about, and he fell over three times.

He fell well, rolling as he hit, and he was lucky enough not to fall backwards.
The first two times me and another guy both missed catching him, despite deliberately
putting ourselves in harm's way in an attempt to help. The third time I half-caught
him, slowing him down, but also getting catapulted face-first into the concrete.

So I'm bruised and bleeding as I sit here typing this. It doesn't hurt as such,
just stings a little. He of course, is completely uninjured, so some good came of
out of my injury at least.

One of the support crew got hurt last week, but not by me: Another crew member
threw a pole at him.


I think next, in preference to meeting fellow bockers outside of a gym, I need
to go and practice indoors with a coach and a crash mat. I need to learn how to
fall well, and of course how avoid falling in the first place; how to bock without
the aid of poles, how to get up & down unaided, the semaphore code for an ambulance, etc.

I was quite good at standing still, with light sideways pressure on my arm against
the wall. My thumb-muscles hurt the most (aside from my face etc later), because
I was gripping onto the poles so tightly.


The black outer covering over my springs has taken a scratch-battering, so I'll be
binding my springs and socking my hoofs over the next day or two. I have lots of white
"duck tape" spare, so I'll put have that on the inside layers as an indicator, and a
darker outside layer: That way it'll show white when there's wear.


The photographer that was there was a stand-in with his mobile for the official one,
who forgot his camera! So no pics of my mods this week, I'm afraid.


Has anyone mod'ed the hooves to make them larger for greater stability, BTW?
(Probably a bad idea, but you never know until you ask.)

[Theibault]

Good work! Keep it up. From my experience (i'm new to bocking aswell), the more time you spend on them, the more comfortable you'll get. I would recommend ditching the poles, as they will only keep you from progressing. They will literally become a crutch. Check the vids section on the excelent getting up tutorial and practice getting up and down. I did this my second day, and not only can I easily get up now, but since I forced myself to practice falling, I have no fear of that which makes it that much easier to focus on getting better at bocking. Keep working at it!