Posted by Jens Velasquez, FPA Membership Director
My role and responsibilities as Membership Director involves all aspects of maintaining the database with member info for 2015.
One initiative I will be working on this year is to increase FPA membership by running Speed Flow workshops and contests at Frisbee events throughout the year beginning with the 39th Virginia State Championships in April. As a former Ultimate Player and Coach I also plan to introduce and conduct Speed Flow workshops and contests at Ultimate events as well.
My belief is that anyone who learns how to throw and catch a Frisbee with a level of confidence will continue do so the rest of their lives. Speed Flow is an easy game of throw and catch that anyone can learn and can also prove to be a natural gateway to Freestyle.
I look forward to meeting players at events this year and reporting on this blog.
Jens Velasquez
FPA Membership Director
fpamembership@freestyledisc.org
WOW!!!
This was possibly the best event yet! For the first time ever, we were sponsored by Scott Thompson at XDISC. Scott is amazingly generous and supplied the latest freestyle disc with our own YJIW logo on it (it took me 50 years, but I finally got a design on a disc).
We were able to include a new XDISC in every swag bag, along with the latest YJIW T-shirt, posters, and Got Hein buttons.
I asked around and everyone had enough: enough jamming, enough competition, enough partying — but really never enough time with the Jamily.
No blowout this year — we had just about perfect weather. The beach was perfect: flat and hard-packed. The wind was light but steady enough to get some hein co-ops going.
Weekend Highlights
We met Friday at Goleta Beach and got all warmed up for the weekend. The party was fun, and we hosted everyone we could fit into our little house.
Saturday morning greeted us with a beautiful day and a sweet light breeze. There were some truly heinous jams happening, and we all reveled in each other’s game.
I still can’t believe that I am part of this amazing group of aging athletes — we don’t plan to slow down anytime soon.
Competition Time
Brian Roberts was our “head” judge and did a great job keeping everything moving — thanks Brian!!! He even had fun judging (who would’ve guessed). Dave Lewis and Jay Hinkle stepped up and helped Brian get it done.
We had a first round of 7 co-op teams and a final round with the top 4 teams. We shuffled the deck and picked new teams for the final round and the winners were:
- 1st place – Jake Gauthier, Amy Schiller & Jan Schreck
- 2nd place – Dan Darnell, Robbie Collier (1st timer) & Jim Dodelson
- 3rd place – Billy Caplin, Gerry Geare & Char Powell
Got Hein Turboshred
We followed this with our first ever Got Hein Turboshred event. About 15 of us went out and had 3 attempts to show our best move.
Jan Schreck kicked ass with an amazing catch on his first try and then did an even better combo for the next move and won. Char came in second with Amy a close third.
We kept playing until we couldn’t stand, then we all met up at M Special Brewery for a drink and some food. We handed out this year’s trophies and thanked everyone for coming to play with our little group here in Santa Barbara one more time ????
We even had some prize money for the winners this year — thanks Jay!
We had one last trophy for the best move of the event, and we gave it to Jan for the combo he did ending in an Olivier (??). I don’t think I could figure out that move if I saw it again. Jan won all the events this year!
Sunday Brunch & Beyond
Sunday Brunch at Gus’ house is always a highlight of the event and this year was epic. Gus cooked a great meal and we chowed down and had some great time to hang out and visit. Thanks Nancy and Gus!
Because we just can’t stop — we went out for another long, amazing day of jamming.
Everyone got enough! BUT… then we had to go out again on Monday to play with those jammers that were still here and just can’t stop playing. I had 5 days in a row!
Thank You!
Thank you everyone for coming out and PLAYing with us. These connections we have with each other are special and not to be missed, and I hope you all come and play with us again.
Special thanks to Lars for taking and posting pics of the event to share with everyone and keep us connected.
Finally, and not lastly, thanks to Mike Galloupe, honorary member of the SB Windjammers, for videoing the event and for all of the help before and after the event.
We love you all and are thankful to be a part of all of this.
