We had an epic session with Ianek, Olaf, Rożo and Agata. Me and Ianek were trying lots and lots of different unusal tricks that I don't normally do. This led to me hitting lots of new stuff:
Tornado
Fairy Gyro Mirage
Fairy Swirling ss Pickup
other Fairy Swirling ss Mirage
midtime Swirling ss Toe BS
Symp. Whirling Infinity Rake
Inside set ss Whizz b2b
Bent Butterfly Rake with the bag falling on the other side of the foot
Downtime Gyro Wichajster
Bent Refraction
Symp. Leggy Atomic Legover
Whizz Legover Inside
Symple Dyno
Ianek was hitting lots of really cool moves, it's definitely a huge inspiration for me to try and do more unique tricks in my runs. He's the man. Tommorow we're probably going to have a session that will be more splendid then ever, and that's because Mathieu Gauthier, Anssi Sundberg and Kevin Regamey will all arive and it will be epic.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Ners' Footblog
I'm back from the Footbag Summer Trip 2008 during which I visited Strzelin, Prague and Berlin. I really loved it, even though there were some bad moments, like some of the organization during Worlds. I still think that going to tournaments is the best thing you can get out of our sport 
It was great to meet new people and see old friends again. I got lots of judging experience at Worlds, since I judged all open routines (quali, semis and finals), intermediate and doubles qualifications. I also run Shred30 which was a success and we managed to get the scores for all players next day after the comp. Thanks to Eric Chang for letting us use his camera.
Berlin was lots of fun, I finally got to shred a bit more, hit some new tricks, like Bent Butterfly Swirl
Big shout out to the FC Footstar crew for really organizing a great week and the final day, which was epic and I really liked it.
I think I might have a session today!
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
It was great to meet new people and see old friends again. I got lots of judging experience at Worlds, since I judged all open routines (quali, semis and finals), intermediate and doubles qualifications. I also run Shred30 which was a success and we managed to get the scores for all players next day after the comp. Thanks to Eric Chang for letting us use his camera.Berlin was lots of fun, I finally got to shred a bit more, hit some new tricks, like Bent Butterfly Swirl
Big shout out to the FC Footstar crew for really organizing a great week and the final day, which was epic and I really liked it.I think I might have a session today!
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Szymon Kałwak, you are an excellent guy.
Thanks for all the good times, your hospitality, your professionalism, your sense of humour, your simultaneous translation of other polish speakers, and your overuse of the word "Splendid". For real, thanks a lot bud.
I think the Ners memory that stands out the most is as such:
We were both judging, sitting in beanbag chairs opposite eachother on the "stage" (read as: running surface). I yell across, "Hey Szymon! What do you think of these judging chairs?"
Szymon: *moment of thought*
"Highly unprofessional. Highly comfortable."
Thanks for all the good times, your hospitality, your professionalism, your sense of humour, your simultaneous translation of other polish speakers, and your overuse of the word "Splendid". For real, thanks a lot bud.
I think the Ners memory that stands out the most is as such:
We were both judging, sitting in beanbag chairs opposite eachother on the "stage" (read as: running surface). I yell across, "Hey Szymon! What do you think of these judging chairs?"
Szymon: *moment of thought*
"Highly unprofessional. Highly comfortable."
- Kevin R.
F = G*((m1*m2)/r^2)
Know thy enemy.
F = G*((m1*m2)/r^2)
Know thy enemy.
Yo Kevin, it was great meeting you in person and hanging out in Wrocław! I hope I will make it to Canada one day and taste the fresh air while riding a grizzlie bear through the iced valleys.
I came back from a trip to Mazury, where I was yachting with my brother and three other people for two weeks. No footbag there, unfortunately. Now I have so much stuff to do it's crazy. I'm already getting confused if I remember everything. I have three offers for demos/exposure already. To make things even more hectic, my computer broke down and I have to fix it before getting access to my personal files. I would write more about stuff in the EFC, but I need to dismantle the computer I'm using right now and take it to a friend. Crazy.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
I came back from a trip to Mazury, where I was yachting with my brother and three other people for two weeks. No footbag there, unfortunately. Now I have so much stuff to do it's crazy. I'm already getting confused if I remember everything. I have three offers for demos/exposure already. To make things even more hectic, my computer broke down and I have to fix it before getting access to my personal files. I would write more about stuff in the EFC, but I need to dismantle the computer I'm using right now and take it to a friend. Crazy.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Since I posted last time lots of stuff happened. I fixed my computer but then I lost internet access, and that was a real pain in the ass since it was 5 days before the start of the Polish Champs. I had to send my mail and do some money transfers from a friend's house 
Finally I got my internet access back one hour before leaving Wrocław 
The Polish Championships were a total blast. Wiktor, Gosia, Cod and all the other involved players really did a great job with the organization side. The finals were inside the Museum of Olympic Sports. It was a great venue and we had more then 200 spectators. There was also lots of media attention, which is always a good thing. Personally I did ok, considering the amount of preparation. I was 8th in routines, 4th in Sick3, Request Contest and Most Rippin Run, and I won 2 Square after a hardcore semifinal with Wiktor and a no less hardcore final with Cod.
The new Polish Champion is Arek Dudziński, also known as Norek, also known as High-Tech. Karolina Modrzejewska won Women and Piotr Bałtrukiewicz won Singles Net.
In other news we had a meeting for the registration of Polish Footbag Federation. We still have some paperwork to do, but if all goes well we should rise the level of footbag organization in Poland up a level.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Finally I got my internet access back one hour before leaving Wrocław The Polish Championships were a total blast. Wiktor, Gosia, Cod and all the other involved players really did a great job with the organization side. The finals were inside the Museum of Olympic Sports. It was a great venue and we had more then 200 spectators. There was also lots of media attention, which is always a good thing. Personally I did ok, considering the amount of preparation. I was 8th in routines, 4th in Sick3, Request Contest and Most Rippin Run, and I won 2 Square after a hardcore semifinal with Wiktor and a no less hardcore final with Cod.
The new Polish Champion is Arek Dudziński, also known as Norek, also known as High-Tech. Karolina Modrzejewska won Women and Piotr Bałtrukiewicz won Singles Net.
In other news we had a meeting for the registration of Polish Footbag Federation. We still have some paperwork to do, but if all goes well we should rise the level of footbag organization in Poland up a level.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
-
Eric Chang
- Fearless
- Posts: 567
- Joined: 29 May 2006 23:16
- Location: San Jose, California
- Contact:
Ners, I didn't know you had a blog, or else I would have posted sooner!
I have to say it was a pleasure to kick with you, Ianek, and Tuukka in our Epic Shred. Where is was only Epic Shredders allowed! It was.. Epic.
I have to say it was a pleasure to kick with you, Ianek, and Tuukka in our Epic Shred. Where is was only Epic Shredders allowed! It was.. Epic.
Look a BLOG! That I never update
http://modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=16244
http://modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=16244
I had a short session today with Agata and Radek, it felt good to shred. Radek is getting very good, his trick repertoire and style are progressing nicely. Agata is also getting better, she just needs some motivation I hit one new trick, which was clip set Miraging Symp. Bent. Radek had a hard time figuring it out haha Other then that I was schooling foundations and trying some silly stuff like run with Rakes only.
Hania left for an exchange program, she's going to stay in Prague for a year. I hope she will come visit Wrocław and hit a session with us once in a while
We need to start looking for a gym, since it's getting colder, and the skatepark is everything but warm.
Our organization work is also going forward, we already turned all the documents in to the National Judicature Council, so now we just need to wait for them to process our application. It can take up to three months. Right now we are doing an restructuring of our communication network, so that we can work together better.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
I hit one new trick, which was clip set Miraging Symp. Bent. Radek had a hard time figuring it out haha Other then that I was schooling foundations and trying some silly stuff like run with Rakes only.Hania left for an exchange program, she's going to stay in Prague for a year. I hope she will come visit Wrocław and hit a session with us once in a while
We need to start looking for a gym, since it's getting colder, and the skatepark is everything but warm.
Our organization work is also going forward, we already turned all the documents in to the National Judicature Council, so now we just need to wait for them to process our application. It can take up to three months. Right now we are doing an restructuring of our communication network, so that we can work together better.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Today we did a demo for an event in one of Wrocław's shopping centers called Magnolia Park. There was four of us, and we had live coverage by a radio station, which was pretty cool. We played some freestyle, did a small workshop for kids and organized a kicking contest. Overall the organizers were happy with our performance and it looks like they will ask us for cooperation in the future. We also got a contact to the guys in the radio that we gave interviews for. We will surely use it before Zocha Jam tournament.
We have two more demos on the horizon, but the next session won't probably happen before Wednesday, cause the school week starts. So I guess I shall return to the fascinating world of administrative law. Sigh.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
We have two more demos on the horizon, but the next session won't probably happen before Wednesday, cause the school week starts. So I guess I shall return to the fascinating world of administrative law. Sigh.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Another session today, hit a few new things, some inspired by the latest video made by Wiktor:
Torque > PS Whirl (rpt)
PS Whirl > Symple. Rev Swirl (rpt)
Massacre
Atomic Flail BS
The last trick was a challenge from Tomek Ostrowski, and it felt nice nailing it after a couple of tries. Agata did some good looking Whirls, but she's still working on her foundations which is a thing everyone should do
Torque > PS Whirl (rpt)
PS Whirl > Symple. Rev Swirl (rpt)
Massacre
Atomic Flail BS
The last trick was a challenge from Tomek Ostrowski, and it felt nice nailing it after a couple of tries. Agata did some good looking Whirls, but she's still working on her foundations which is a thing everyone should do
I made a new short vid, you can see it here:
http://www.footbag.org/gallery/show/15354
Preparations of Zocha Jam tournament are going forward. We already have IFPA sanctioning, and thanks to Steve, on-line registration should be up very soon. I hope everyting will work out well!
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
http://www.footbag.org/gallery/show/15354
Preparations of Zocha Jam tournament are going forward. We already have IFPA sanctioning, and thanks to Steve, on-line registration should be up very soon. I hope everyting will work out well!
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Had a really fun session with Radek today. Hit some new stuff:
Spinning Motion BS
Spinning Pdx Mirage > Tripwalk (rpt)
Pixie ss Mirage > Drifter > Revup (rpt)
Put some work into flip clipper sets and noticed some improvement. Overall it felt good to do combos and specific links. I toyed with Zooming a bit, hitting Spinning Osis b2b a couple of times (my zooms are pretty bad still). Hit a few Pogo sets on both sides, that may also be a good way of improving my flip Steps.
Radek had a good session too, he's definitely improving his trick selection and overall controll. Soon, he shall be unstoppable!
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Spinning Motion BS
Spinning Pdx Mirage > Tripwalk (rpt)
Pixie ss Mirage > Drifter > Revup (rpt)
Put some work into flip clipper sets and noticed some improvement. Overall it felt good to do combos and specific links. I toyed with Zooming a bit, hitting Spinning Osis b2b a couple of times (my zooms are pretty bad still). Hit a few Pogo sets on both sides, that may also be a good way of improving my flip Steps.
Radek had a good session too, he's definitely improving his trick selection and overall controll. Soon, he shall be unstoppable!
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Yesterday I finished the first one of the planned series of instructional videos for basic tricks. You can find it here (it's all in Polish though):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2U-B7Ghm6Qw
I'm happy with how it turned out, and I also hope I will be able to keep on making those vids regularly so that the resource will be somewhat complete soon.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2U-B7Ghm6Qw
I'm happy with how it turned out, and I also hope I will be able to keep on making those vids regularly so that the resource will be somewhat complete soon.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
The second instructional video is done, you can see it here:
http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=-pRwckzY69M
Other then that, we did another demo last weekend, and it went well despite pretty bad conditions (not enough light, and slippery floor). The preparations for Zocha Jam are slowly wrapping up. We managed to get a good deal for posters, so we'll be able to get them for a low price. I just need to finish the project ASAP. Now I'm leaving for a session with Radek and Agata, hope I won't freeze to death at the skatepark Lately I'm working on my toe game some more, maybe tommorow I'll be able to hit some decent Fairy sets (I've always neglected those ).
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=-pRwckzY69M
Other then that, we did another demo last weekend, and it went well despite pretty bad conditions (not enough light, and slippery floor). The preparations for Zocha Jam are slowly wrapping up. We managed to get a good deal for posters, so we'll be able to get them for a low price. I just need to finish the project ASAP. Now I'm leaving for a session with Radek and Agata, hope I won't freeze to death at the skatepark
Lately I'm working on my toe game some more, maybe tommorow I'll be able to hit some decent Fairy sets (I've always neglected those ).Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Zocha Jam 2008 is now over. If you're interested in the results, you can find them here: http://footbag.org/events/show/1224962900
I was the main organizer this year, and I must admit the weekend was a lot of work. Unfortunately lots of things went wrong. The DJ that came for replacement for a guy that was always on our tournaments (he got sick) turned out to be unexperienced and unprepared. The judging software that was tested two times before somehow broke down resulting in a delay needed to print out the judging sheets. The venue owner decided to change our terms in the last possible moment, only allowing us to use the gym for 4 ours, instead of 6, and demanding extra money (that's probably the last time we're doing the tournament there). To put the cherry on top, the company we ordered the medals in somehow lost our order, and since they manufacture them in another city didn't send them on time (we will send them by mail). In general it was very stressful.
I learned the lesson the hard way, that it's best to have a plan B for everything, and check it 10 times. Although it was really hard to predict, that things will go that way.
The tournament itself didn't go that bad as it may seem from what I've written above. The level was really high, and we managed to run all planned events. The prizes were really nice this year, and the players were happy with them. We had free accomodation, that worked very well. I think that overall people are happy, and the unfortunate events didn't cast a big shadow on everything else.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
I was the main organizer this year, and I must admit the weekend was a lot of work. Unfortunately lots of things went wrong. The DJ that came for replacement for a guy that was always on our tournaments (he got sick) turned out to be unexperienced and unprepared. The judging software that was tested two times before somehow broke down resulting in a delay needed to print out the judging sheets. The venue owner decided to change our terms in the last possible moment, only allowing us to use the gym for 4 ours, instead of 6, and demanding extra money (that's probably the last time we're doing the tournament there). To put the cherry on top, the company we ordered the medals in somehow lost our order, and since they manufacture them in another city didn't send them on time (we will send them by mail). In general it was very stressful.
I learned the lesson the hard way, that it's best to have a plan B for everything, and check it 10 times. Although it was really hard to predict, that things will go that way.
The tournament itself didn't go that bad as it may seem from what I've written above. The level was really high, and we managed to run all planned events. The prizes were really nice this year, and the players were happy with them. We had free accomodation, that worked very well. I think that overall people are happy, and the unfortunate events didn't cast a big shadow on everything else.
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Here's a report presenting the situation in Polish footbag concluded for the year 2008.
1. PLAYERS
Taking into account the highest valued tournament of the year, that being the Polish Championships in Warsaw, we get the following numbers:
Open Freestyle players: 23 (-1 in comparison to the last year)
Women Freestyle players: 5 (+2)
Intermediate Freestyle players: 4 (-13)
Net players): 7 (+1)
Which gives us the total number of 39 players, which is 11 less then last year. Loosing 13 players in intermediate is especially alarming.
Current champion in Singles Freestyle: Arkadiusz Dudziński/Słupsk
Current champion in Women Freestyle: Karolina Modrzejewska/SÅ‚upsk (3rd title in a row)
Current champion in Intermediate Freestyle: Arek Hutnik/Strzelin
Current champion in Singles Net: Piotr Bałtrukiewicz/Chocianów
2. TOURNAMENTS/JAMS
The following events happened in the year 2008 (in chronological order):
NET BAG JAM, Warszawa, 17.05
Kwadratowy Jam, Warszawa, 20.07
Footbag Camp, Strzelin,6-9.08
Polish Championships, Warszawa, 20-21.09
Krynica Footbag Promo, Krynica, 18.10
Zocha Jam 2008, Wrocław, 6-7.12
Which gives us a total of 6 events, organized in 4 cities, 2 of which had a rank of a tournament (Polish Championships and Zocha Jam). The number of events decreased by 7 in comparison to last year.
3. STRUCTURES
During the Polish Championships we concluded the formal organization part for the federation. Right now the documents has been given to the National Registry Court and is being processed.
Warsaw Footbag Association has been created, increasing the number of associations from 5 to 6. The current list of associations is as follows:
Polskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - Wrocław
SÅ‚upskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - SÅ‚upsk
Stowarzyszenie MANIAC - Kraków
Strzelińskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - Strzelin
Nowomiejskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - Nowe Miasto
Warszawskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - Warszawa
4. INITIATIVES
Strzelin Footbag Association organized a Footbag Camp that was a preparation for World Footbag Championships - it was a big success.
WRC FOOTBAG started creating instructional videos for Footbag Freestyle. The initial two videos already gained lots of popularity on YouTube, resulting in new players registering on our forum.
Maniac Footbag started a project for the developement of Footbag Net in Poland.
Å
1. PLAYERS
Taking into account the highest valued tournament of the year, that being the Polish Championships in Warsaw, we get the following numbers:
Open Freestyle players: 23 (-1 in comparison to the last year)
Women Freestyle players: 5 (+2)
Intermediate Freestyle players: 4 (-13)
Net players): 7 (+1)
Which gives us the total number of 39 players, which is 11 less then last year. Loosing 13 players in intermediate is especially alarming.
Current champion in Singles Freestyle: Arkadiusz Dudziński/Słupsk
Current champion in Women Freestyle: Karolina Modrzejewska/SÅ‚upsk (3rd title in a row)
Current champion in Intermediate Freestyle: Arek Hutnik/Strzelin
Current champion in Singles Net: Piotr Bałtrukiewicz/Chocianów
2. TOURNAMENTS/JAMS
The following events happened in the year 2008 (in chronological order):
NET BAG JAM, Warszawa, 17.05
Kwadratowy Jam, Warszawa, 20.07
Footbag Camp, Strzelin,6-9.08
Polish Championships, Warszawa, 20-21.09
Krynica Footbag Promo, Krynica, 18.10
Zocha Jam 2008, Wrocław, 6-7.12
Which gives us a total of 6 events, organized in 4 cities, 2 of which had a rank of a tournament (Polish Championships and Zocha Jam). The number of events decreased by 7 in comparison to last year.
3. STRUCTURES
During the Polish Championships we concluded the formal organization part for the federation. Right now the documents has been given to the National Registry Court and is being processed.
Warsaw Footbag Association has been created, increasing the number of associations from 5 to 6. The current list of associations is as follows:
Polskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - Wrocław
SÅ‚upskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - SÅ‚upsk
Stowarzyszenie MANIAC - Kraków
Strzelińskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - Strzelin
Nowomiejskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - Nowe Miasto
Warszawskie Stowarzyszenie Footbagu - Warszawa
4. INITIATIVES
Strzelin Footbag Association organized a Footbag Camp that was a preparation for World Footbag Championships - it was a big success.
WRC FOOTBAG started creating instructional videos for Footbag Freestyle. The initial two videos already gained lots of popularity on YouTube, resulting in new players registering on our forum.
Maniac Footbag started a project for the developement of Footbag Net in Poland.
Å
Hey Verena, thanks for dropping by
Long time no blog. Due to exams at university I had to put pretty much everything other then schoolwork aside. But that is now over since yesterday I passed my last test and I'm a free man now
Really happy about that since I have the time now to catch up and continue my projects.
We had a session with Radek and Yeti today, and it was pretty epic. We played for 3,5 hour, which was a lot after the break I had from shredding. Still it was so much fun - it reminded me of the time we used to play at the Morskie Oko gym. We had a circle going, played the pyramid game (hitting tricks with increasing add values, if others can't hit your trick in 3 tries, they're out), and then just tried some new/silly stuff.
I practiced some Doubles with Yeti, which I hope will happen more often in the near future. Doubles rock. We also recorded some footage, and will probably get some more tommorow. Then I'll make a short vid.
I'm finally going to finish the Clipper instructional video I'm making, it's now about 40% complete. It should be done in the next few days (or sooner).
Footbag!
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Long time no blog. Due to exams at university I had to put pretty much everything other then schoolwork aside. But that is now over since yesterday I passed my last test and I'm a free man now
Really happy about that since I have the time now to catch up and continue my projects.We had a session with Radek and Yeti today, and it was pretty epic. We played for 3,5 hour, which was a lot after the break I had from shredding. Still it was so much fun - it reminded me of the time we used to play at the Morskie Oko gym. We had a circle going, played the pyramid game (hitting tricks with increasing add values, if others can't hit your trick in 3 tries, they're out), and then just tried some new/silly stuff.
I practiced some Doubles with Yeti, which I hope will happen more often in the near future. Doubles rock. We also recorded some footage, and will probably get some more tommorow. Then I'll make a short vid.
I'm finally going to finish the Clipper instructional video I'm making, it's now about 40% complete. It should be done in the next few days (or sooner).
Footbag!
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
Nersblog should be highly recommended for those who need take a view into footbag structures and situation in Poland. Things posted on Jan's 06's Tuesday impressed me so much Ners. Good job you did, you do and you will prolly do.
Ners our pride! Ners for president
There should be year's awards by the way... you would have big chances to be awarded as a "he is working so much!"
Wrc footbag 4ever
Ners our pride! Ners for president
There should be year's awards by the way... you would have big chances to be awarded as a "he is working so much!"
Wrc footbag 4ever
Born to challenge
I might become "the president" of PSF, so you could be right with your slogan Radek
I had a breakthrough session today. After applying some recent thoughts about technique I managed to fix my flip Clipper form. I only needed to make a small change with my support leg - I wasn't bending it enough and I was putting it down in position too late. Some link still don't fell exactly right (ss Butterflys) but most of the time flip clipper tricks worked as they should be working. My overall control increased tremedously.
Now I need to drill this so it becomes natural and improve strenght in that leg - all that time I wasn't bending it enough so the muscles are weak and get tired quickly.
I can't wait for tommorow's session, I hope to bust Ripwalks b2b like nothing soon
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)
I had a breakthrough session today. After applying some recent thoughts about technique I managed to fix my flip Clipper form. I only needed to make a small change with my support leg - I wasn't bending it enough and I was putting it down in position too late. Some link still don't fell exactly right (ss Butterflys) but most of the time flip clipper tricks worked as they should be working. My overall control increased tremedously.
Now I need to drill this so it becomes natural and improve strenght in that leg - all that time I wasn't bending it enough so the muscles are weak and get tired quickly.
I can't wait for tommorow's session, I hope to bust Ripwalks b2b like nothing soon
Pozdrawiam
Szymon Kałwak (Ners)