Well, this June I will be going to Prague, for a few days. Basically, to cut things short, my obvious reaction is "There is no way that a barely guiltless player from Canada/Germany can just go into Prague and expect to shred with the best. I am not worthy of seeing that much talent, and I would just completely bore them."
So, I sort of have made up my mind that I will not try and contact any shredders there, but I know that when I get back to Canada I will say
"I was in Prague, and I didn't even try to contact Honza/Vasek? What was I thinking, people dream about having an opportunity like that"..
My question to you guys is, should I go along with my instinct of not bothering to contact them, or should I? I always hear and read that Footbag is "different" than other sports, because you can meet up with all of your idols, but I figure that would mainly just be at tournaments and stuff. I am not sure if that would be appropriate for my situation. Especially because I will just have been a year into the sport, and not even a fraction as good as they are.
Going to Prague, have an obvious question.
Going to Prague, have an obvious question.
Jay Boychuk
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Outsider
- Ayatollah of Rock n' Rollah
- Posts: 1373
- Joined: 21 May 2003 21:30
- Location: Bridgewater, New Jersey
Yes you should contact them. Everywhere you go you should look up the local footbag players.
The kickers in Prague will probably be out playing footbag at some point while you're there anyway. They probably already kick with intermediate players all the time - there are probably some guys at your skill level in their club - not every shredder from Prague is superhuman (only most of them are...) and every one of them was once a barely guiltless player (except for the superhuman ones, who went straight from learning toe stall to hitting Superfly and Blurry Whirl back to back).
Just, be cool man. Even the best players like a little praise, but don't like every barely guiltless player from Canada/Germany simply drooling and fawning all over them like some rock-n-roll groupie. Also, not every player from Prague might be out kicking that day, so you may not see everybody that you were hoping for, but so what, you'll meet some cool guys who you might get to see again somewhere, maybe even when they're in Canada at some point. I think they sometimes call that "making new friends."
Don't forget - even the best players in the world are lacking in million-dollar endorsement deals, an entourage of sycophants, and a swarm of paparatzi. They ain't much different from you or me, (though they are a little cooler).
The kickers in Prague will probably be out playing footbag at some point while you're there anyway. They probably already kick with intermediate players all the time - there are probably some guys at your skill level in their club - not every shredder from Prague is superhuman (only most of them are...) and every one of them was once a barely guiltless player (except for the superhuman ones, who went straight from learning toe stall to hitting Superfly and Blurry Whirl back to back).
Just, be cool man. Even the best players like a little praise, but don't like every barely guiltless player from Canada/Germany simply drooling and fawning all over them like some rock-n-roll groupie. Also, not every player from Prague might be out kicking that day, so you may not see everybody that you were hoping for, but so what, you'll meet some cool guys who you might get to see again somewhere, maybe even when they're in Canada at some point. I think they sometimes call that "making new friends."
Don't forget - even the best players in the world are lacking in million-dollar endorsement deals, an entourage of sycophants, and a swarm of paparatzi. They ain't much different from you or me, (though they are a little cooler).
"The time has come to convert the unbelievers..."
Jonathan Schneider --- sometimes showers with his Lavers on (to clean them)
The Ministry of Silly Walks
NYFA
BAP
Jonathan Schneider --- sometimes showers with his Lavers on (to clean them)
The Ministry of Silly Walks
NYFA
BAP
Not that I'm really more advanced than you are, but I would at least try if I was you. Contact the person that is in charge of the club there and ask him if he or anyone there are going to shred during one of those day, specify the level your at. Maybe you wont meet Vasek or Honza but you have more chance if trying than if doing nothing!
ABSOLUTELY contact them. You can probably get some shred on, and maybe go out for some pivos (beers) afterwards.
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!! You have to try and contact them. you can get in touch with vasek through www.vaska.cz
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!! You have to try and contact them. you can get in touch with vasek through www.vaska.cz
BRICK!
rfa::never give up::
nyfa
rfa::never give up::
nyfa
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ObArA'BaRs
- Flower Child
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- Contact:
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Mathochist
- Multidex Master
- Posts: 278
- Joined: 24 Dec 2004 05:21
- Location: Around the world
Do it.
Do it. I spent a semester in Prague in 2004, and they welcomed me readily. Even though Vasek, Honza, and Ales are as likely to just train at home as they are to make it to any public sessions, you're better off trying to meet them in their own city than at any given comp.
Dexter is definitely the point of contact, and you can get his email from the footbag.org club listing. I also want to encourage you to meet the other Czechs who are less famous. Tomas is the club president and he, like Outsider above, is fond of kicky tricks you don't see much anymore. Voita may be one of the biggest unknowns in the sport; he shreds with the creativity of Jorden Moir and is bigtime active at comps behind the scenes. Pavel just plain busts big. It'll be quite a treat for you to interact with any of them.
Also, please tell them Rob says ahoj.
PS. Oh, quikie dictionary:
hello/goodbye - ahoj (pronounced AHOY, use with people your age)
good day - dobry den (use with adults/more formally)
thank you - dekui (sp?) (pronounced DAYKWEE)
beer please - pivo prosim
that should get you by
nasdravi (cheers)
-Rob
Dexter is definitely the point of contact, and you can get his email from the footbag.org club listing. I also want to encourage you to meet the other Czechs who are less famous. Tomas is the club president and he, like Outsider above, is fond of kicky tricks you don't see much anymore. Voita may be one of the biggest unknowns in the sport; he shreds with the creativity of Jorden Moir and is bigtime active at comps behind the scenes. Pavel just plain busts big. It'll be quite a treat for you to interact with any of them.
Also, please tell them Rob says ahoj.
PS. Oh, quikie dictionary:
hello/goodbye - ahoj (pronounced AHOY, use with people your age)
good day - dobry den (use with adults/more formally)
thank you - dekui (sp?) (pronounced DAYKWEE)
beer please - pivo prosim
that should get you by
nasdravi (cheers)
-Rob
My favorite trick is knowing when to pass.
Rob Creel III
Rob Creel III