And thus endeth a day that featured the Australian National Championships of 2008. And double demerit points. And a day that the shop was closed. Even picking up that Saturday gone.

SCEGGS in Darlinghurst was a steady trickle of sweat from everyone in the hall. Jugglers, yo-yoers, spectators. The heat was indeed on in all cheesy manner of speaking. Smell of talcum powder in the air. And the stench of plastic gym mats. A lot of those in attendance as well.

Free yo-yos for all attending and from the look and throw, a clear reason why. Tricks, slips,

Sports ladder, 1A, Y and all manner of outside the box throw downs. (Boxes of actual scoring in play, step out and practise the hang of sticking a trick).



Congrats to shop regular Jason Hay (crouching tiger with a V salute in above photo), picking up second place in the Y division.

Results of the championships:
1A division:
1st - Kahli
2nd - Mark
3rd - Skip

Y division:
1st - Daniel
2nd - Jason
3rd - Kahli

So what did you do to close out the Australia Day long weekend?

 

Late notice to be sure. Like a spud lodged in the back end after a night on the upstyle-down.

Anyway, for those looking to catch strings turning tricks and more than just balls landing in hands, check out the Australian National Championships later today.

Today, forthwith too right ol chap.

Details for you:

SCEGGS Darlinghurst
215 Forbes Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Monday 28 January 2008

Judges: Stuart Brown (Yoboy), David Quach (Quagi) and Soon Van (Sleeper)

Schedule:

• 12:00-14:00 - Compulsories for 1A.
• 14:00-15:00 - Sports Ladder as well as a tutoring session for any newcomers to the yo-yo scene
• 15:00-17:00 - 1A and Y division freestyles. Best trick comp.

Spectators best turn up after the end of the compulsories. They're for the yoers to book themselves a place into the later divisions and will just be standard trick pulling with no flair necessary.

Actual contest begins after than. And the jugglers (who will be sharing a part of the hall) will still be swinging and juggling and hoop circling it up.

Spectators are free to come and watch. Word also is that everyone who turns up will receive a free yo-yo.

Drop in folks!

Update: Super quick wrap of the 2008 Championships.

 

It's the aftermath of the Australian National Yo-Yo Championships in Newtown. Things are looking well spun for the yo-yo tricksters. Tom and customer Jason were interviewed by a documentary crew from the Sydney Film School. Watch out for the release of it somewhere on some form of channel in some point in time.

Next Nationals are on for Invasion/Australia Day weekend of 2007. Rev up your axles folks, it's a cracker to watch. Better still if you're brave enough to hit the stage.

Watch this space; it's like staring at a wall that makes you cry faster than the growing of grass!

 

Contents of the Spider-Man Backpack Bag showbag at the Royal Easter Show at Olympic Park spill out as thus:

• 1 Spiderman Spatter Ball and Catcher $6.95
• 1 Spiderman 2" YoYo $1.95
• 1 Spiderman 2" Kickball $1.95
• 1 Spiderman 6.5" Doll $7.95
• 1 Spiderman Hi Bounce Ball $2.95
• 1 Choice of: Spiderman Backpack or 9" Regulation Basketball $16.95

All with a supposed total retail value of $38.70 against the stall prices of $20.

This, like everything else at the show, does not include anything edible for that price point. The splat balls in the balls and catcher set are just too gelatinous to make any real meal out of. Considering that Chinatown sells croquettes for a rate of $1.70, that's some tough chewing. Of course, there may be cheaper croquettes to be had, but thems paths be crossed by other people.

Add to this the paralysed state of the Spider-Man doll and the locked in string of the super light weight yoyo, and there really isn't much to get out of this. The footsack and the bounceball are perhaps the only two redeeming features of the entire showbag from an entertainment stand point.

Still, the look of Spider-Man frozen in that one pose does look good despite not being good to play with. Much like the state of action figures from McFarlane Toys actually.

 

For that desktop wallpaper pleasure and all the ladies and gents out there who love watching a man play with his yoyo.

(For those that are keeping track, the player is Tom.)