Dante's Blog
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Nice and clean!
Stoked to kick with you soon.
Stoked to kick with you soon.
Re: Dante's Blog
Yeah! BAP! Alright, here we go!
A huge thanks to Nick Landes and the rest of BAP for selecting me at Worlds in Montreal. I competed in as many freestyle events as I could and relished the physical and mental discipline it required. Becoming The Inferno is a major milestone on my path; a shred journey that continues to elate and challenge me in ways I never thought possible.
THE INFERNO: RETROSPECTIVE
It was July 2007 when I first learned about footbag. I was in Newfoundland for a summer school program and another kid brought a Mr. Sandbag. We kicked everyday - this photo was one of my first circle sessions.
TRIVIA: can you identify another member of BAP who has filmed at this exact spot?
(hint: Newfoundland but the court is now red).
After buying my own Mr. Sandbag and Lavers, I began to train in my backyard. A year later (August 2008), I moved to Finland through the Rotary Exchange program.
This photo was taken on September 6th, 2009 in downtown Helsinki. Shortly before or after this photo was taken, I was approached by a man named Justin Sexton.
My second Helsinki session was a true initiation into freestyle. I witnessed some of the top Finnish players and recoded this 2 minute clip. The Finns taught me the foundations of freestyle and I remain enormously grateful for being welcomed into their scene.
After my exchange, I went to study biology at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. I would continue to push my game over the next 7 years (2009-2016) under the guidance of Greg Raymond. These were significant years of development when I applied what I'd learned in Finland.
The Kingston Footbag Militia (KFM) was formed by Tom Mosher, who had left Kingston before I arrived. He organized the events KICKASS 1 and 2 so Greg and I hosted our own KICKASS 3 in September of 2010. It was great to see Tom in Montreal for the end of Worlds!
I competed in Worlds 2010 (Oakland), 2011 (Helsinki) and 2013 (Montreal). Since leaving Kingston in 2016, I went to Worlds 2017 (Portland), USO in Boston (2019) and ECFC in New York (2019). I ran the Joulukalenteri for two years and participated in Online Worlds during the pandemic. In 2024, I've attended USO in Boise, Worlds in Montreal and soon SuperBall in Czechia, which will be my first tournament as The Inferno!
CLOSING THOUGHT
Footbag continues to push me to my limits, both high and low. It should be obvious that injury, failure and embarrassment are not the essence of the sport, nor are they the essence of being human. Our negative experiences provide contrast to the positive ones; they show us what we don't want. By thinking about what we do want, whether it's to make BAP or just enjoy our day, we discover the freedom we have within the reality we enjoy.
A huge thanks to Nick Landes and the rest of BAP for selecting me at Worlds in Montreal. I competed in as many freestyle events as I could and relished the physical and mental discipline it required. Becoming The Inferno is a major milestone on my path; a shred journey that continues to elate and challenge me in ways I never thought possible.
THE INFERNO: RETROSPECTIVE
It was July 2007 when I first learned about footbag. I was in Newfoundland for a summer school program and another kid brought a Mr. Sandbag. We kicked everyday - this photo was one of my first circle sessions.
- First Circle of The Inferno.jpg (76.43 KiB) Viewed 889 times
TRIVIA: can you identify another member of BAP who has filmed at this exact spot?
(hint: Newfoundland but the court is now red).
After buying my own Mr. Sandbag and Lavers, I began to train in my backyard. A year later (August 2008), I moved to Finland through the Rotary Exchange program.
- Downtown Helsinki Sept 6 2009.jpg (170.38 KiB) Viewed 889 times
This photo was taken on September 6th, 2009 in downtown Helsinki. Shortly before or after this photo was taken, I was approached by a man named Justin Sexton.
For the rest of my year in Finland, I would go to Helsinki every Wednesday night to play footbag. Here's a photo after my first session with real shredders: Mikko Lepistö (R) and Timo Aarnio (L):"You're wearing lavers!" he remarked.
I withdrew the Mr. Sandbag from my pocket and flexed hard by hitting clipper --> osis on my first try.
With a gentle smile, Justin told me: "You must come and train with us every Wednesday at Töölö Kisahalli."
- Timo and Mikko.jpg (110.42 KiB) Viewed 889 times
My second Helsinki session was a true initiation into freestyle. I witnessed some of the top Finnish players and recoded this 2 minute clip. The Finns taught me the foundations of freestyle and I remain enormously grateful for being welcomed into their scene.
After my exchange, I went to study biology at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. I would continue to push my game over the next 7 years (2009-2016) under the guidance of Greg Raymond. These were significant years of development when I applied what I'd learned in Finland.
- Liz, Orion, Greg (2023).jpg (173.57 KiB) Viewed 889 times
The Kingston Footbag Militia (KFM) was formed by Tom Mosher, who had left Kingston before I arrived. He organized the events KICKASS 1 and 2 so Greg and I hosted our own KICKASS 3 in September of 2010. It was great to see Tom in Montreal for the end of Worlds!
I competed in Worlds 2010 (Oakland), 2011 (Helsinki) and 2013 (Montreal). Since leaving Kingston in 2016, I went to Worlds 2017 (Portland), USO in Boston (2019) and ECFC in New York (2019). I ran the Joulukalenteri for two years and participated in Online Worlds during the pandemic. In 2024, I've attended USO in Boise, Worlds in Montreal and soon SuperBall in Czechia, which will be my first tournament as The Inferno!
CLOSING THOUGHT
Footbag continues to push me to my limits, both high and low. It should be obvious that injury, failure and embarrassment are not the essence of the sport, nor are they the essence of being human. Our negative experiences provide contrast to the positive ones; they show us what we don't want. By thinking about what we do want, whether it's to make BAP or just enjoy our day, we discover the freedom we have within the reality we enjoy.
Footbag is alive in the hearts of the players.
Jim Penske
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boyle
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Re: Dante's Blog
Thanks for posting Dante - big congratulations on your achievements. Look forward to seeing you keep building your game. That's so great you got to start out in Finland.
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Sporatical_Distractions
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Re: Dante's Blog
Congrats Dante! Who knows what would have happened if you had decided to come to Japan eh? You probably wouldn't have gone to Worlds...Crazy how the paths in our lives get shaped. So happy for you!
TJ Boutorwick
"You can do anything" -Greg Nelson
"You can do anything" -Greg Nelson
Re: Dante's Blog
Loved reading this brief history, Dante! Your Finnish upbringing has always really shown in your smooth style, variety, and difficulty! And massive congrats again on your baptism! You're the best!