Last year I finally got to try on a set and I *loved* it. So I finally bit the bullet and ordered myself a pair last week. They should arrive soon and I just can't wait! Anyone got any words of wisdom for a noob on stilts practicing up for the burn?
:)
Ron
Power stilts!
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stargeezer
- Posts: 336
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- Location: Burning Mountains
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oneeyeddick
- Posts: 5589
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:08 pm
- Burning Since: 1996
- Location: Probably in your pants
Ron i've had mine since the 05 burn, you'll want to make some adjustments to them after some use.
1. that crappy single inch wide attachment that goes around the back of your knee will break and will do so during a jump. Go down to any climbing tore and get about 8-10 feet http://www.rei.com/product/752375 times two, one for each leg) and use the webbing to tie you into the stilt. You may also find that your knees dont take too well to the limited padding. Stick a small pillow in the knee socket of the stilt and it should help.
http://www.powerbockresources.com/
Good community with tons of Mods to make should you want.
1. that crappy single inch wide attachment that goes around the back of your knee will break and will do so during a jump. Go down to any climbing tore and get about 8-10 feet http://www.rei.com/product/752375 times two, one for each leg) and use the webbing to tie you into the stilt. You may also find that your knees dont take too well to the limited padding. Stick a small pillow in the knee socket of the stilt and it should help.
http://www.powerbockresources.com/
Good community with tons of Mods to make should you want.
Whatever you do, do not go stilting on the Playa with undecorated stilts. Unless you are installing Sheetrock out there, cover them up, do something creative like furry Pan legs etc. The stilters on Playa are just like the popular kids in high school, all peer pressure and that perfect trendy look.
Assless chaps split lengthwise, then tied just above the knee would fit perfect.
There is also a bar somewhere out on the playa that caters to the high bikes and stilt folk. Cant remember the name though...
Assless chaps split lengthwise, then tied just above the knee would fit perfect.
There is also a bar somewhere out on the playa that caters to the high bikes and stilt folk. Cant remember the name though...
No, no, nothing broken yet. Got a dandy of a bruise on one calf where they weren't adjusted properly. My right calf was too big for the way it was set and I did 4 laps in 'em today. Very funny watching the high school football team watch me as I walked and slowly jogged around the track. I added some light bouncing and jumping but that's it. Slowly and surely goes this turtle. :)
Ron, who did figure out how to adjust the things so that injury shouldn't repeat itself.
Ron, who did figure out how to adjust the things so that injury shouldn't repeat itself.
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swampdog
- Posts: 917
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- Camp Name: Rising Arms Pub
- Location: Bellingham WA
tips
Ron, I've had a pair for awhile, altho I don't use 'em that much. The powerbock community is definitely the place to go. My .02
They're pretty easy to walk in. I had 'em out last year at the playa and let a lot of people try them, everybody got up and walked around first try no prob. Jogging, jumping, these are more hard, just take it slow.
Jogging in them is a heckuva workout.
If I were to want to use them a lot more I'd take some practice falls on grass somewhere.
Pads is good -knee, elbow, wrist. Haven't fallen on them yet (cross fingers)
There's a right and a left one. Straps hinge to the inside and buckle to the outside. This sounds obvious but I managed to get them backward and was tripping all over myself.
Good luck!
They're pretty easy to walk in. I had 'em out last year at the playa and let a lot of people try them, everybody got up and walked around first try no prob. Jogging, jumping, these are more hard, just take it slow.
Jogging in them is a heckuva workout.
If I were to want to use them a lot more I'd take some practice falls on grass somewhere.
Pads is good -knee, elbow, wrist. Haven't fallen on them yet (cross fingers)
There's a right and a left one. Straps hinge to the inside and buckle to the outside. This sounds obvious but I managed to get them backward and was tripping all over myself.
Good luck!
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swampdog
- Posts: 917
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:27 am
- Burning Since: 2004
- Camp Name: Rising Arms Pub
- Location: Bellingham WA
Getting back up without support looks REALLY REALLY hard. I'm thinking of taking some practice falls even if I have to shuck the things and go back to square one, just to expand my comfort zone.
When I started out, I used one of those light changer suction cup extension thingies as a support. They're $10-$15 at a mega hardware store, they're very light weight and extendable. That might be enough to help if you had to get back up out in the boonies and you could easily work it into a costume. It's also a good confidence support at the very beginning, but I outgrew it pretty quick.
When I started out, I used one of those light changer suction cup extension thingies as a support. They're $10-$15 at a mega hardware store, they're very light weight and extendable. That might be enough to help if you had to get back up out in the boonies and you could easily work it into a costume. It's also a good confidence support at the very beginning, but I outgrew it pretty quick.
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DCPowerStilts
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- Location: Washington, DC
- Contact:
Hints
Definitely practice... Obviously when on the playa try to avoid getting sand in moving parts. I like the idea of including them as part of your costume, as covering may offer some protection from dust. You can use any color of tape around the springs to make them match. They are pretty durable, so jump, run and have fun with them and don't worry.
To stand up on flat ground takes some technique and balance. Check out the last video on our video page. After all you don't want to end up with your butt on the playa and yelling that you've fallen and can't get up.
To stand up on flat ground takes some technique and balance. Check out the last video on our video page. After all you don't want to end up with your butt on the playa and yelling that you've fallen and can't get up.
I see kids on 'em at the basketball courts...
Ron, i hope you had a good time on your stilts!
I have a only-marginally-related-question:
why do people specify assless chaps?
I've only seen actual working Western chaps and biker chaps, but as far as i know, chaps are inherently assless, or they'd be pants.
I don't care, i'm not bothered by the phrase "assless chaps", i was just wondering...
I have a only-marginally-related-question:
why do people specify assless chaps?
I've only seen actual working Western chaps and biker chaps, but as far as i know, chaps are inherently assless, or they'd be pants.
I don't care, i'm not bothered by the phrase "assless chaps", i was just wondering...
I'm just trying not to be liveMOOP...
Civil rights: use 'em or lose 'em!
Civil rights: use 'em or lose 'em!
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TD-2441
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- Location: Norwich UK, and a nice place in my head
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www.projump.co.uk has some great forums with lots of help and advice. I've had my stilts since the start of the year and I bounce to work on them! Really wanted to bring them to Bm but didn't cos of luggage weight restrictions. I think it may have been too hot for me to use them a lot anyhow and the playa surface was a wee bit dodgy too!!!!
"I bought a cactus. A week later it died. And I got depressed, because I thought, Damn. I am less nurturing than a desert". - Demetri Martin