ThrowHeat
eXtreme
(If this is posted in the wrong area, I apologize. I looked through all of the sections, and none of them seemed like an ideal fit for this topic. If any mods feel it belongs elsewhere, feel free to move it.)
Now considering that this is a chili head forum, instead of a yo-yo forum, this idea might seem completely off the wall. Then again, I'm sure there are plenty of yo-yo players who think I'm crazy for wanting to do this too. But before you chalk this off as just some stupid idea, please hear me out. You might like what I'm envisioning after you know a little bit more about the yo-yo world.
First, you need to see a really good example of what modern yo-yoing is all about, and here is the perfect candidate:
Granted, the video is from 2010. So it isn't exactly "current". It still gives you an idea of what people are capable of doing with yo-yos though at least. Simply put, this isn't the yo-yoing of yesteryear. The sport has become very fast paced, highly technical, and downright mesmerizing. But I'm biased in that regard since I am a thrower myself.
Next, you should know a little bit more about the makeup of the yo-yo sub-culture. As I'm sure you already suspect, the overwhelming majority of yo-yo players are kids. It is a kids' toy, after all. However, there is a growing contingent of adult yo-yo enthusiasts as well. Some people start doing it as adults (I'm in this category), and some who yo-yoed as kids continue throwing once they become adults. Unfortunately for us though, there aren't very many yo-yo events that cater to the older crowd. Because the kids are the majority, then that is who the industry and the sport will revolve around. It only makes sense, right?
Last, the sport itself. Now I really wish I had a nice way to put this, but really, I can't water my words down here. Competitive yo-yoing is boring. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love to yo-yo, and I don't plan on quitting, EVER. Because no matter how many new tricks I learn, there will always be something that I don't know yet. The challenge of it is endless. But simply because I am captivated by yo-yoing, I'm not deluded enough to think that the rest of the world is too. Just because I have fun at yo-yo contests -- which is mainly due to the social aspect and not the contests themselves -- that doesn't mean that non-throwers will have fun as well. To people who aren't knowledgeable when it comes to yo-yoing, it all looks the same after about 30 seconds. There really just isn't anything about the sport of competitive yo-yoing that appeals to people who don't yo-yo.
From my perspective, what the sport really needs is a gimmick; something to make it more interesting to the general public; something to spice things up (pun intended). Which brings me to the entire point of this post (and if you are still reading, I thank you)...
I want to throw a yo-yo contest, one that is either 18+ or 21+. 21+ would be preferred though, since that would make room for potential beer sponsors. The event itself should be open to people of all ages, however. The competitors would be the only ones required to be 18+ or 21+.
Now for the contest, entrants would be required to consume a certain amount of hot sauce, preferably a super hot, and then immediately perform a 3 minute yo-yo freestyle (the video above is an example of a "freestyle"). There would be a panel of judges who would score competitors on string hits, accuracy, elements, flow, originality, etc. And if a player stops to drink or eat anything before the end of their freestyle, that would result in a major deduction on their score, or possibly even a DQ. The highest scoring player at the end would be declared the winner.
Done right, I feel that a competition like this could be highly entertaining. Knowing the reaction people have to certain hot sauces -- watery eyes, runny nose, drooling, sweating, etc. -- there would be plenty of potential for comedy with this format. It could even be used as an added attraction at an already existing chili head event.
What are your thoughts on this idea though? I've talked with plenty of yo-yo players, and there were a few who are receptive to the idea. But what about the chili heads? Does a yo-yo contest like this sound like something you'd like to watch???
Now considering that this is a chili head forum, instead of a yo-yo forum, this idea might seem completely off the wall. Then again, I'm sure there are plenty of yo-yo players who think I'm crazy for wanting to do this too. But before you chalk this off as just some stupid idea, please hear me out. You might like what I'm envisioning after you know a little bit more about the yo-yo world.
First, you need to see a really good example of what modern yo-yoing is all about, and here is the perfect candidate:
Granted, the video is from 2010. So it isn't exactly "current". It still gives you an idea of what people are capable of doing with yo-yos though at least. Simply put, this isn't the yo-yoing of yesteryear. The sport has become very fast paced, highly technical, and downright mesmerizing. But I'm biased in that regard since I am a thrower myself.
Next, you should know a little bit more about the makeup of the yo-yo sub-culture. As I'm sure you already suspect, the overwhelming majority of yo-yo players are kids. It is a kids' toy, after all. However, there is a growing contingent of adult yo-yo enthusiasts as well. Some people start doing it as adults (I'm in this category), and some who yo-yoed as kids continue throwing once they become adults. Unfortunately for us though, there aren't very many yo-yo events that cater to the older crowd. Because the kids are the majority, then that is who the industry and the sport will revolve around. It only makes sense, right?
Last, the sport itself. Now I really wish I had a nice way to put this, but really, I can't water my words down here. Competitive yo-yoing is boring. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love to yo-yo, and I don't plan on quitting, EVER. Because no matter how many new tricks I learn, there will always be something that I don't know yet. The challenge of it is endless. But simply because I am captivated by yo-yoing, I'm not deluded enough to think that the rest of the world is too. Just because I have fun at yo-yo contests -- which is mainly due to the social aspect and not the contests themselves -- that doesn't mean that non-throwers will have fun as well. To people who aren't knowledgeable when it comes to yo-yoing, it all looks the same after about 30 seconds. There really just isn't anything about the sport of competitive yo-yoing that appeals to people who don't yo-yo.
From my perspective, what the sport really needs is a gimmick; something to make it more interesting to the general public; something to spice things up (pun intended). Which brings me to the entire point of this post (and if you are still reading, I thank you)...
I want to throw a yo-yo contest, one that is either 18+ or 21+. 21+ would be preferred though, since that would make room for potential beer sponsors. The event itself should be open to people of all ages, however. The competitors would be the only ones required to be 18+ or 21+.
Now for the contest, entrants would be required to consume a certain amount of hot sauce, preferably a super hot, and then immediately perform a 3 minute yo-yo freestyle (the video above is an example of a "freestyle"). There would be a panel of judges who would score competitors on string hits, accuracy, elements, flow, originality, etc. And if a player stops to drink or eat anything before the end of their freestyle, that would result in a major deduction on their score, or possibly even a DQ. The highest scoring player at the end would be declared the winner.
Done right, I feel that a competition like this could be highly entertaining. Knowing the reaction people have to certain hot sauces -- watery eyes, runny nose, drooling, sweating, etc. -- there would be plenty of potential for comedy with this format. It could even be used as an added attraction at an already existing chili head event.
What are your thoughts on this idea though? I've talked with plenty of yo-yo players, and there were a few who are receptive to the idea. But what about the chili heads? Does a yo-yo contest like this sound like something you'd like to watch???
. Being a thrower and a lover of super hots, I personally think it would make a very entertaining addition to a contest....although the watery eyes may call in the need for protective head gear 
.
