What is the best training source?

[AZIndy]

Hey guys, I have had a whip for awhile (nothing incredibly special), and want tog et to know how to use it. There are no known whip enthusiat clubs int he area, so I was wondering what the ebst learning sources are? Videos would be helpful. Thanks
!
D

[BullWhipBorton]

There are quite a few videos and DVDs that in my opinion are all worth checking out. They are available thought the various whip suppliers mentioned on this site. I would recommend searching though the past posts, more specifically this past thread on whip cracking videos. It contains some good information on which videos are available, some favorites and what sort of material they cover.

http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic ... afb699198e

There are many online resources as well including websites, photos and video clips that may be of help to you. The Bullwhip FAQ at www.bullwhip.org comes to mind as a good source. These sites can at give you some ideas and introduce you to some of the fundamental and the more advanced techniques. Most of the whip enthusiasts I’ve encountered online are friendly and more than willing to share their knowledge so feel free to ask questions. There are a couple books that might be helpful as well. "The BullwhipBook" and "Whips and WhipMaking" are two i could recommend, However; I would consider those more of a supplementary material to go with the videos.

I can not stress safety enough, so when you do get started don’t forget to take some precautions to ensure you don’t hurt yourself or others, or at least minimize any pain and damage that might occur. Its probably common sense, but try to practice in a wide-open area free of concrete, gravel, sand, power lines and tree branches. Make sure no one else is in your general vicinity when practicing. Shatterproof safety glasses are a must. A wide brim hat or a long pants & long sleeve shirt are all wise. A motorcycle helmet, leather jacket and earplugs are not bad ideas either. Of course make sure no one else is in your general vicinity when practicing. Good luck and hope this helps

Dan

[Whipcrack]

I have a copy of the Mark Allen tape, if you want to borrow it IM with your address and I will let you borrow it.

As Dan points out very well there is a great deal of online info available and it is important to protect yourself. All that said the only real way to learn the whip is to get cracking. Whipping is like dancing you can read all about it, and watch it, but you don’t really know what it is about until you get our on the floor and try it.

I get newbees to start out by circling the whip over their heads until they get the feel of it. Then I have them go up and back until they get comfortable with that action. Then I have them reverse at the end of the cycle and the snap produces the crack.

With this process I have had about 70% of people cracking within 15 minutes of starting. I have never had anyone hurt and they feel the satisfaction of cracking for the first time.

The 30% who can’t get it to crack are usually trying too hard. If I can get them to relax and let the whip do the work they will get cracking too. I almost always use a 8 foot whip, nothing longer, If they are short a 6 works better.

Good luck and let me know if you want to borrow the tape.

Bill Walton

[Henry Jones Sr.]

Hey guys, I have had a whip for awhile (nothing incredibly special), and want tog et to know how to use it. There are no known whip enthusiat clubs int he area, so I was wondering what the ebst learning sources are? Videos would be helpful. Thanks
!
D

Hey, AZ!

Greetings from two fellow Gearhead Tucsonans! While we're by no means whip experts (enthusiastic novices at best), we do have both the Mark Allen "Whip Cracking Made Easy" video (a surprise drawing gift from last summer's Queen Mary Summit), as well as a copy of Paul Stenhouse's "Whip Handling and Maintenance". We like to get out to work on our cracking skills now and again; maybe we can get together to watch the tapes and crack sometime. Maryon (my fiancee) has a wonderful 6' Joe Strain; I am the proud owner of a beautiful 9' Stenhouse creation (a birthday/holiday gift from Maryon I shall never forget!).

Who knows? This could signal the seeds of an Arizona or Southwest Mini-Summit! Let us know if you're interested.... Post here or PM me or Maryon Ravenwood. It's been great to meet you here; we look forward to the possibility of meeting you in person!

Sincere regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.

[Indiana Joe]

All that said the only real way to learn the whip is to get cracking. Whipping is like dancing you can read all about it, and watch it, but you don’t really know what it is about until you get our on the floor and try it.

Bill, I like the way you articulated that. Well said.

I.J.

[Whipcrack]

Thanks I.J. and I'm still a lousy dancer.

Bill