From falls & poppers to plaiting & cracking technique, this section is dedicated in memory of Sergei, IndyGear Staff Member and Whip Guru. Always remember to keep "Celebratin' Life!"
For those missing the Whip Enthusiast Whip Weekend here in Dallas this weekend, you missed alot...It's been just awesome meeting various whip makers and crackers. Robert Duke and Jerry Rasmussen both came up for it, so maybe they'll chime in.
When our cracking sessions were over at the park, about 8 of us went to dinner. The real dessert came when we went back out to the park after dinner. Two guys from Florida were in for the gathering. Well, their specialty is fire whips. Yes, cracking whips that are on fire. And boy did they put on a show for us! The whips are braided out of Kevlar, then dipped into a can of flammable liquid and then lit. To top it off, they let several of us crack the whip (with fire). Just unbelievable! I think I shrieked like Willie for the first time in my life when the whip was first lit. I am sitll smiling from the fun I had. See...
The cracking action make the flames burst a bit. Flames actually go flying when you're twirling and cracking it. We were by a lake...no worries. But the guys had a flame retardent blanket. I got it on video, but I'm not sure how well it came out because it was so dark. I'll probably watch the tape tomorrow to see how it turned out.
Oh something you guys/gals might appreciate. About 8 of us went to eat last night at Outback Steakhouse. When I got there I told Hostess A that I was here to meet a group, but that I didn't see them yet. She asked if I was with the Whip Enthusiasts. I said "Yes." She said they thought maybe it was a prank call, they weren't sure. Well, she gave me one of the beeper/lighter up things that goes off when they are ready to seat you. A few moments later Hostess B, a brunette, comes up to her podium greeting spot, and our conversation went something like this:
Hostess B: What are the Whip Enthusiasts? ITG: We're a group that gets together to crack whips for sport. Tomorrow we're having our competition. Hostess B: So are you a poet or a writer? ITG: Huh? Hostess B: Are you a poet or a writer? (At this point I get up and walk up to her just in case she's having trouble hearing.) ITG: Umm, we crack whips. Hostess B: I don't get it. ITG: We crack whips, you know like Indiana Jones. Hostess B: OH! I just learned to drive a stick shift. ITG (in her mind): Oh this is scary, but I'll be nice and respond politely ITG: That's cool, I don't even know how to drive a stick shift. Hostess B: That's about the only thing I know how to do. ITG: That's cool. (I wasn't quite sure how to respond at that point.)
Indiana Texas-girl wrote:The real dessert came when we went back out to the park after dinner. Two guys from Florida were in for the gathering. Well, their specialty is fire whips. Yes, cracking whips that are on fire. And boy did they put on a show for us! The whips are braided out of Kevlar, then dipped into a can of flammable liquid and then lit. To top it off, they let several of us crack the whip (with fire). Just unbelievable! I think I shrieked like Willie for the first time in my life when the whip was first lit. I am sitll smiling from the fun I had.
So that's what they got Gandalf with at toward the end of Fellowship of the Ring! I've wondered since I first saw that film how they did that! That firewhip must've been even longer than the cable-core one Indy swung on in Last Crusade. OK. Enough.
Wow, ITG...I don't see at all where this gal could have gotten the idea that writers, poets, or driving a stick shift has anything to do with cracking a whip like Indiana Jones. Hmmmm....I'm completely lost on that one. Good story though!!!
Regards--Maryon
The one I cracked I think was like 5 or 6 feet long maybe. It wasn't as long as the one you see in the link. The guys that came with the whips said that the Kevlar whips last about 1.5 to 2 years. Right after they performed, I got to touch it the whip, thinking it would be hot, but it wasn't AT ALL.
ITG, sounds like your waitress may have been related to the gal I 'told' you about that thought Jessie was a blind pool player. (grins) They're EVERYWHERE!!!!! Regards. Michaelson
