YoYo Related News From Around The World
Guy Wright is the best Pill player in the world, hands down. He might also be one of the nicest dudes who has ever stroked a beard. Add that to the fact that Terra Kendama makes consistently amazing products, and you have the makings of something that everyone here should immediately be cool with spending $34.99 CAD to cop.
I got mine. Click here to get yours.
Guy Wright has officially joined the Terra Kendama team! Hell yeah! Congratulations to Guy and Terra…this is a perfect match-up! Guy is easily the best Pill player on the scene, and is also just a completely awesome dude to hang out and drink beverages with. If he were here, I would hug him and hand him a beverage.
Check out Guy’s crazy Pill edit, and then go get yourself a Pill. They’re really just too much fun.
The Kengarden hosts a weekly meetup at their pop-up shop in San Franpsycho every Tuesday…and when you have a bunch of top level kendama and yoyo players hanging out, things are bound to get silly.
On a related note; I want a new Guy Wright video, dammit.
San Franpsycho
505 Divisadero
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 829-7874 f: 415-896-4979
Mon-Thur 11-8 Fri 11-9 Sat. 10-9 Sun 10-7
My laptop was out of commission for four months. While saving up for a new one I thought it would be fun to film and edit a video on my old iphone4 with a broken antenna. Additional attachments used were an Olloclip, Joby SmartPhone Attachment, and Opteka Aluminum Stabilizer.
Shot around San Francisco, California and Downtown Disney Orlando.
Featuring Sonny Patrick, Sean Stuart, John Jimenez, Ryan Clark, Brandon McGinnis, Bryan Jardin, Joe Wilson, Ernest Kahn and Guy Wright.
As a huge fan of 1A, I have to say that I would be willing to defend my opinion that there is a special genre of 1A that I would refer to as “Guy Wright Tricks”. In other words, Guy Wright is a unique and awesome player that has definitely made an impression on modern 1A. Formerly sponsored by SPYY, Guy Wright is the inventor of tons of extremely creative and unique tricks and just as well known for his awesome clip videos. One of my favorite players of all time, Guy agreed to do an interview and I was immediately excited to learn more about one of my favorites.
Guy, thanks for doing this! From inventing great tricks to putting out several instant-classic clip videos, you’ve definitely left a mark on modern yoyoing. How did you get your start?
Well, the main thing that got me into yoyoing was when I first saw the Viking Tour promotional DVD that my buddy (who was/is not a yoyoer) showed me in 2005. He told me about it and I was like, “yoyos are lame” but then he showed me the video and I was like “I bet I would be really good at that!”. So, I went out that day and got a FH2 from Target, and that was it. I have always been into juggling, so yoyos seemed like a reasonable thing to get into. Also, the fact that Steve Brown made it look cool and it wasn’t just some nerdy ass little kids made me think it would be cool even though I was already 21.
I feel that way too about how yoyoing kind of can appeal to a lot of age groups and not just little kids. Did you just start throwing 1A with the FH2? How did you start learning tricks back then?
I didn’t start with 1A at first. I went right into Freehand and learned a lot of the tricks from the Viking Tour DVD (Beestings, E-fans, etc. I did 5A for about 5 months before I got into 1A). The more videos I watched online, the more I wanted to get into slack tricks and it’s kinda hard to do slack stuff while holding the die so I eventually dropped it and started exclusively doing 1A. My next yoyo after a couple Freehands was the Hspin Pyro (I also had a big fascination with grind tricks at the time, so it seemed right.)
Oh yeah, Steve had those “Walking Grinds” in that video too, and 5A definitely has a feel like juggling more so than 1A I think. What were some of your favorite 1A tricks early on?
My favorite 1A tricks when I started where suicides, whips, slack, and grinds.
I loved the idea of the suicide, because it was so simple and obvious. You know exactly what’s going on, and why it’s difficult. Clean, simple and badass.
I loved slacks because they were big, graceful and pretty (when done right).
I was also really into grinds because they had the same feel as skateboard tricks and I was a big skateboarder when I was younger, so those elements were appealing to me.
When did you start making up your own?
It’s hard to say when I started making my own tricks. I feel most of my tricks were/are just variations of other tricks. Then again, isn’t that every trick? How far away from an existing trick does a variation have to be to be considered “new”? How many existing elements do you have to put into a combo before the combo is considered a new trick in itself?
Short answer: I would always try to make my own versions of tricks ever since I started.
I totally know what you mean. For a while, I was confused between the differences of a “trick” and a “combo”. I saw people throw “combos” that looked like entirely new tricks to me and I still sometimes get confused if I’m looking at a trick, or a combo that’s so good that it looks like something entirely new.
My favorite Guy Wright trick/combo/yoyo thing (a lot of other people’s probably too) is definitely Cupcakes. I love both repeaters and chopsticks tricks, so of course it’s perfect. A lot of your tricks are not only technically appealing but extremely visually appealing as well.
Yeah, I have always thought that the way tricks look is way more important than what’s actually being done. It’s like, yoyos are essentially a visual thing, so if it doesn’t look good, why the hell are you doing it? Granted, I have always thought I was extremely sloppy so I don’t know what that means.
Your SPYY signature yoyo was the Punchline which I’ve never thrown but featured a really cool shape that I like. What was the process like in designing your own throw?
As far as the Punchline goes, when we were coming up with it I just told Steve (of Spyy) that I wanted something bubbly, friendly, and…well….floaty. I wanted a yoyo that I would get along with, something that wouldn’t fight me and wasn’t aggressive. Like, I could say “Hey yoyo, how about we go over here now?” and it would say “Ok Guy, that seems fine” then we would hug.
I gave him personality traits and had him work his magic to make something physical out of my vague stoner descriptions. I mean, I did say I wanted it about 66 grams and a little bigger than the Pistolero. but aside from that I just gave descriptions about how I wanted it to “feel” and I have to say Steve nailed it. He sent me some CAD designs of a nice, bubbly, round yoyo with nice rounded-off rims and I was in love.
I like those kind of yoyos too. For me, it’s either that or a heavier yoyo that can also do what I want it to without being extremely heavy on the string and overall being kind of annoying to throw. In watching the “SpyyGuy Comics” clip video, that throw totally fit your yoyoing. Speaking of which, what’s your favorite clip video that you’ve put out?
It’s a tie between The Letter blue, Amplifire, More and Oh, and the first Punchline video.
The Letter Blue because I feel it has the best tricks.
Amplifire because I feel just about everything in there looks the way I wanted it to and it has the best song.
More and Oh because it was the most fun video to make and everything went well. Both me and Elliot hit our tricks within a reasonable amount of time, it was a nice sunny day, the editing was painless, and the song goes really well with it.
Finally, the first Punchline video because I have crazy hair in it.
I agree with you there, some of my favorite Guy Wright tricks appear in The Letter Blue as well as the first Punchline video.
Do you have any advice for any aspiring yoyoer out there?
The best advice I can give is simply, make it look good. That’s the only real important thing. If it doesn’t look good, why would you do it? It doesn’t matter how hard a trick is as long as you can do it with style.
I totally agree, that philosophy definitely shows in all of your tricks. Thanks Guy!
Known for their high-precision throws, SPYY was a benchmark company. Over the past decade, they continually raised the bar with their high-level precision and innovative design. Thus, it came as unfortunate news that SPYY has recently closed up shop.
In addition to their amazing yoyos, SPYY provided us with an amazing team of players that pushed creativity to the max. This video is a nod to SPYY, Steve Buffel, and the amazing team he has supported throughout SPYY’s incredible journey. Featuring SPYY’s final roster of players, this video takes a look back at the players, tricks, and yoyos that helped make SPYY a company that will never be forgotten.
Song: Hero by Family of the Year (itunes.apple.com/us/album/loma-vista/id527663303)
For past SPYY videos, check out:
Just Throwin’ 2 – YouTube
Just Throwin’ with Team SPYY – Youtube & Vimeo
Devon Jackson – Youtube
Punchline Repeater – Vimeo
Who the #%$@ is Gary Longoria? – Vimeo
Speed Freak – Vimeo
Totally Rad: SPYY Pro – Vimeo
Punchline! The Final Issue – Vimeo
Punchline! – Youtube & Vimeo
We woke up to some bad, bad news this morning. SPYY, makers of some of the most underrated but consistently awesome performance yoyos, is closing up shop.
SPYY came on the scene in 2003 with the Saturn Experiment, an attempt to produce a high-end yo-yo that can handle multiple string layers (bind-style) around the axle without stopping or returning to the hand. In 2005 the first high-end consumer yo-yo was produced, the Saturn Radian and it went on sale on eBay in early 2006. The first run sold out quickly, with a huge interest from the market. For the time, the yoyo was one of the smoothest competition throws available and players quickly became obsessed with what would be next from this small Canadian company.
From there they produced the Addict, a more rounded profile throw, that expanded their fan base considerably. As their following grew, they began acquiring a team that would eventually include Guy Wright, Ed Haponik, Alexis JV, Nate Sutter, Sebastian Brock, Gary Longoria, Lilia Markham, Joey Fleshman, and Devon Jackson. Recently produced models include the excellent TMBR x SPYY EH, Dynamo, and Amplifier.
SPYY’s remaining stock has been shipped off to YoYoExpert, and if you were ever on the fence about picking one of their models up we recommend you grab one now. Below is an excerpt from the email that SPYY sent out to their team and a few friends…and we’d like to personally thank Steve Buffel and his wife Suzanne for everything they’ve done for the industry and the community. You couldn’t possibly imagine a pair of more wonderful people, and while we’re sad to see SPYY go away it’s reassuring to know that at least we’re just losing some yoyos, and not some friends. Thanks for everything, SPYY!
—–
Thanks for taking a chance on us and our little yoyo company. Suzanne and I tried to push it to a full time carrier a while back, but I melted my soul in the process.
I think it’s time to call it a day. 10,000 yoyos sold to date. I guess we can all be proud of that. It’s been a fun ride with crazy ups and downs, just like this hobby of ours 🙂
I wish you all the best and you have our blessings and full support to pursue yoyoing however you feel it suits you best.
Thanks and please stay in touch. We’ll see you around.
Hugs and tears,
Steve & Suzanne
SPYY
Guy Wright might actually be the best Pill player out there right now.
We are not surprised by this.
Alright, Guy, we get it. You’re good at everything, and you’re handsome. No need to keep rubbing it in everyone’s face, man.
This guy.
This video is recommended for audiences 18 years and older.
Youtube version here.
Because it is my regional contest, The Bay Area Classic is dear to my heart. Currently held in San Francisco, CA, the BAC always manages to bring together many of the world’s greatest players.
Since I personally never compete, I am always a spectator on the sidelines. I don’t mind this. In fact, I embrace it. Very rarely do you see me without my trusty camera. Since 1998, I have shot video at pretty much every yoyo event I’ve gone to. Some people have said that my work has documented the growth and change of yoyoing over the past 15 years. While I don’t feel I’m worthy of such high praise, I do feel that my videos have made a large impact in the yoyo community. That is why when the BAC committee asked me if I was willing to help shoot freestyles for the event, I gladly accepted. This acceptance, however, came with a downside.
This year, BAC ran freestyles throughout the day (as opposed to the end of the day). While this made everything run much smoother, it meant that I was unable to film tricks for a clip video since I would be busy with freestyles all day. I was pretty bummed, as I really enjoy making clip videos. So, to get my “documenting fix” in, I decided to shoot photographs and maybe hope that I could grab some good video footage at the Official BAC BBQ on Sunday.
My initial video plan was to make a video that showed people hanging out at the BAC BBQ. I wanted to make a sequel to last year’s BAC video, but this time focus on the players themselves, instead of their tricks. I wanted to show all of us hanging out, laughing, having a good time, making up and sharing tricks, and relaxing after a tough competition. This was the plan until I got home and realized that the photos I had taken all weekend showed a much more interesting story.
Over the course of the weekend, I shot approximately 2000 photos using a combination of my iPhone, Lumix LX7, and Sony NEX-5N using (primarily) a 8mm fisheye. If you were in my vicinity at any point this weekend, odds are I took your picture.
Inspired by Kohta’s EYYC 2012 video, this BAC 2013 video shows a different side of the contest filled with friends, family, spirits, camaraderie, yoyoing, and kendama.
Guy Wright is getting pretty damn good with that kendama! Which is especially amazing, considering that he’s been practicing hard for the Bay Area Classic. But, of course, Guy Wright is at least 1/8th superhero, so really…what did we expect?
It’s pretty hard to discuss Guy Wright’s yoyoing without launching into an endless parade of hyperbole. Actually, maybe that’s exactly how we should describe it….an endless parade of hyperbole. Because with every single movement, segment, and transition I’m pretty sure I can hear the entire yoyo community collectively jumping out of their seats and yelling “THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!”
Using the new Amplifier yoyo from his sponsor company, SPYY, Guy Wright once again reminds us that tricks should be pretty, yoyoing should be fun, if it doesn’t repeat then you probably don’t need it.
Guy Wright busted out this kendama trick, and coincidentally I spent about an hour today working on juggling/body moves with a kendama. But frankly, this trick is cooler than pretty much everything I was working on.
Two of the “fluidest” 1A players on Earth, Guy Wright and Nate Sutter are having a battle!
The war between the SPYY players will be fought on the field where their unique styles meet: repeaters. While not the most common in competition play, repeaters like this are a joy to watch!
Check out the videos and head on to SPYY.ca to vote! Voting ends on Christmas eve!