YoYo Related News From Around The World
YoYoJam had one more surprise hiding up their sleeve since after closing their doors. They just announced on Facebook that they filmed a spot for Science Channel’s Machines: How They Work television show. Be sure to check it out tonight at 10:00 pm EST. They honestly couldn’t have picked a better fitting yoyo to showcase in the promotional picture.
We are sad to announce that YoYoJam is officially closing their doors on December 30th, 2015. And while they certainly slowed down tremendously in recent years, I’m still really sad to see them go. I’ve always been a huge fan of the risks they’ve taken on design (even if I’ve never been a fan of their art and packaging, ha ha), and it can truly be said that YoYoJam was one-of-a-kind, in an industry that almost prides itself on recycling ideas. From the SpinFaktor (hybrid metal/plastic) to the MiniJam; from the Ben Jammin’ (rubber bodied loopers!) to the Aquarius (first truly popular offstring yoyo), YoYoJam has always either been at the forefront of yoyo design or failed spectacularly on their way there, and I’ve loved watching every minute of it. YoYoJam owner and founder Dale Bell is truly a tinkerer of the first order, someone who is never more at peace than when he’s chasing a new idea. He’s a good guy, he’s always been terribly kind to me (even when I was unbearable), and I’m damn sad to see him go.
But hey…it was one hell of a run. To Dale, Valerie, and everyone else who helped make YoYoJam the company that it was, I would like to thank you on behalf of the entire yoyo industry and community. You folks sure kept it interesting, and we were better off for your contributions.
Check out the official company press release below, and if you were on the fence about picking up anything from their current product line…now is the time.
For nearly 17 years YoYoJam has provided patents that revolutionized the industry, designs that changed the direction of modern yoyo play, products used by multiple World Champions and National Champions from all across the globe, and a team that has included some of the most incredible players and innovators in the industry.
But on December 31, 2015 YoYoJam® will officially close it doors forever bringing an end to a legendary brand, a legendary team, and perhaps one of the most influential companies in modern yo-yoing.
The decision did not come easily. However, company owner and chief design engineer Dale Bell has suffered from very poor health over the last several years. Doctors have advised him to avoid stress as much as possible. So Dale has made the difficult decision to close the company that he has put his whole heart into building. He is looking forward to just relaxing and enjoying retirement with his dog, Billy.
Dale’s daughter, Valerie Aaron (Vice President of the company) stated “This decision has not come easily – it is truly the end of an era for our family and for the team that has become part of our family. We thank everyone who has been a part the brand – we appreciate you and will miss you all.”
YoYoJam will be liquidating inventory for the remainder of the month. The official last day of business will be December 30, 2015.
Word quietly came down from YoYoJam last week that 6x National Champion Bryan Figueroa was stepping down from the YoYoJam Team. Here is YoYoJam’s official statement:
Like all great players, Bryan is constantly searching for growth. After being on the team for 8 years, winning 6 National titles, developing 3 signature Off-string yo-yos and the Lock and Bolt Axle System, let alone all the behind the scenes work he has done for us, he has chosen to depart from YYJ in search for change and further growth.
We respect his decision and look forward to remaining connected with Bryan as a YoYoJam Legend and to the possibility of working on future projects with him.
Like Bryan, YoYoJam also is undergoing a lot of organizational change. We are taking our time to best serve this community and appreciate everyone’s patience!
Bryan also posted an official statement on his personal Facebook page:
I joined Team YoYoJam in 2007; after being on the team for over 8 years, winning 6 National titles and developing 3 signature offstring yo-yos, I believe its time for a change. I wanted to personally thank YoYoJam for all the help and memories over many years of working together. Change is sometimes scary but with change also comes new opportunities and an even better future. Let the Fiesta never End!
YoYoJam has been very quiet lately, with a few team members leaving and not much in the way of promotion or new releases coming from this legendary brand. I reached out to YoYoJam team member and Team Manager Ben Conde to talk about this, and got more than I bargained for.
Notice the last line of YoYoJam’s official statement?
Like Bryan, YoYoJam also is undergoing a lot of organizational change. We are taking our time to best serve this community and appreciate everyone’s patience!
Sure you did. It caught my eye, too. I chatted with Ben a bit about what that means and while I can’t share any details with you yet, it sounds like YoYoJam is going to emerge from this lull period with a renewed energy, bigger and badder than before. I have to admit, I’ve always loved YoYoJam. They have been consistently the most creative, risk-taking company in they industry. I mean hell, they released soft, almost plush loopers for cryin’ out loud. Metal rims on plastic yoyos pretty much set the tone for competition play of the early 2000s, and good luck finding any player from that time period that didn’t own a Hitman and a Dark Magic. YoYoJam has always been fearlessly creative, and we need more of that in an industry that spends so much time eating itself alive.
Ben and YoYoJam are working on some neat stuff. Keep your eyes peeled…I think we can expect some really excellent things from this industry legend very, very soon.
The YoYoJam Diamondback II is a revised version of the Diamondback, re-imagined to meet the more demanding needs of today’s players. While the original Diamondback was an excellent competition yoyo, the Diamondback II revisits the weight distribution to put even more power in the player’s hands.
The Diamondback II has a truly distinctive feel in the hand and on the string. The body thickness and profile give this yoyo an amazing ringing sound during play that we’ve never heard from any other yoyo. The result is an absolutely unique playing experience, something that YoYoJam has delivered time and time again over the history of their company. Redesigned by YoYoJam to be the signature model for team member Tylor McCallumore, the weight distribution on the Diamondback II gives the player an incredible amount of spin and stability, making this a top choice for long, involved combos that push your equipment to its limits.
Available only in black or light blue, the Diamondback two is a visually simplistic yoyo. The heavy decoration of the first model is gone, with the Diamondback II only showing off a simple “TM” logo on the hub for Tylor McCallumore, and some text on a flat wall inside the cup. The contrast of the wide nickel-bronze weight ring against the black anodized body looks fantastic, and the light blue version will be perfect for stage work.
The YoYoJam Diamondback II retails for $136, which is average for a high-quality bi-metal yoyo. Not a casual purchase, but if you’re a YoYoJam fan looking for your next contest killer, or just an aspiring contest player looking for something different to get the job done, the Diamondback II is a great choice.
The YoYoJam Diamondback II is available now at YoYoExpert.com.
YoYoJam is releasing a new version of their “Next Level” yoyo, this one as a special edition for team member Sora Ishikawa. The beautifully animated video above shows off the various changes and improvements made to Ishikawa-san’s specs, including a flat inner wall, the ability to add YoYoJam’s Lateral caps, and some adjustments to the profile and weight distribution. The new Next Level looks great, can’t wait to try one out!
This post first appeared on YoYoNews.jp.
Misaki Yokogawa tears it up with the YoYoJam Fiesta in this new video from Ghengis Khan Drops. Seriously, those “stall snags” are just amazing to watch. I’m not much of an offstring player, but I can tell how flippin’ hard that is….amazing!
Yoyo used is the YoYoJam Fiesta.
2014 World Champion Rei Iwakura has announced his departure from Team YoYoJam. See his statement below….best of luck, Rei!
Today, I want to announce that I quit Team YoYoJam.
After joined the team at 2007, I’ve got 3*Japan Champion, 1*Asia Champion, and 4*World champion titles.
Without such a great support from YoYoJam, I could NOT get these titles.
I can’t say enough thank you to YoYoJam.Inc and my team mates who gave me great support.
I was so proud of it.
YoYoJam is great yoyo company, and Team YoYoJam is one of the best yoyo team in the world. They are still my best friends.
The new team Japan leader is Toshiaki Onuma.
Please support him and Team YoYoJam in the future.And of course, I will never quit yoyoing.
I want to improve my technique and performance more.
Thank you for your continued support for me.
See you in TOKYO, Worlds 2015.Rei
YoYoJam announced a new member of their contest team….2014 EYYC Offstring Champion Quentin Godet from France! Congratulations to Quentin and YoYoJam…we’re looking forward to seeing what Quentin brings to Worlds.
YoYoJam has released the first full video for Grant Johnson’s new signature model, the Revival, and it’s full of what is easily some of the best 1A of the year. With this video, Grant is officially a top contender for the 1A Division at the World YoYo Contest in Prague, and I cannot wait to see what he brings to the stage. Absolutely amazing work from one of the most innovative and professional players in the industry!
Yoyo used is the Revival by YoYoJam.
Introducing Revival — a breakthrough hybrid from YoYoJam®! The Revival is Grant Johnson’s newest signature 1A model. For the first time ever YoYoJam® is introducing a fusion of durable celcon plastic with precision machined aluminum rings that literally “wrap” around from its exterior to its interior. It’s the most advanced hybrid YoYoJam® has ever produced. Grant visualized every fine detail of the unique shape of Revival to allow for maximum spin time and true control.
From the first time you throw Revival you will discover a truly solid and satisfying experience – especially when you bind it. Its powerful focus on rim weight and emphasis on precision balance results in a truly one-of-a-kind throw. Every bind and return is surprisingly strong and forceful. Set up out of the box with YoYoJam’s® Solid Spin Axle, silicone response, and their premium stainless steel 10-ball Speed Bearing, the Revival plays like a full metal but for a fraction of the cost. And like all YoYoJam® products, it is proudly made in the U.S.A!
Revival’s celcon interior combined with its unique finish on the aluminum rings make grinds easier to learn. Its wide, yet slimmed shape makes a great yo-yo for 3A and 5A as well. Horizontal play in any style is stable and impressive.
The Revival is ready for the most complex of tricks, so be prepared to experiment and have fun with this exceptionally refreshing yo-yo. YoYoJam® has taken the hybrid line and once again reinvented it for modern play!
YoYoJam has posted the first teaser video for their upcoming release, the Revival. We’ve already gotten a good look at it, and this new signature model for Grant Johnson looks like it’s going to be a huge hit!
More info coming soon…
Adam Brewster and Alec Campbell from CLYW put together a video with Ben Conde and Shakeem Anderson from YoYoJam, and the result is three golden minutes of great tricks and good times.
Backspin put together a great video of the European YoYoJam team members, filmed during the 2014 European YoYo Championship. As we’ve come to expect from Backspin, the video is epic and magnificient; as we’ve come to expect from Team YoYoJam members, the tricks are fantastic.
Alexis JV has joined the YoYoJam team! Congrats to this former SPYY player for picking up a new sponsor. Alexis recently won the Eastern Canada Regional, using the YoYoJam Phenom.