First time on stilts!

Stilts was a unique experience.  In many ways it is much easier than unicycling or other balance-related sports.  However it is MUCH more nerveracking!

Like skiing, your ankle is strapped to the frame of your prop locking it in place to protect it from breaking.  Unlike skiing or any of the aforementioned sports though, the strapping goes all the way up to your knee, locking the whole of the bottom of your leg to the prop.  This means from your knee to the ground is one solid piece.

On a unicycle, if you loose your balance you can simply step off.   Chances of getting hurt are minimal.  On stilts, if you loose your balance you are going down HARD.

It is also exhausting.  Like unicycling you need to keep moving constantly or you will tip over.  Unlike unicycling though, you need to train yourself to keep moving as normally when you stand you don't have to move.

I would like to eventually own a set of stilts, but I need a set with adjustable height so I can start closer to the ground.  I also want a set with a better base.  The tennis shoes with wood inside were a constant source of unease, as it felt like they might either slip off or get caught in something.  The Skyrunner Adult Kangaroo Shoes Jumping Stilts seem much closer to what I would like, but they are like $300.

*sigh* well I have other props to learn for now!



At MONDO XXX (the annual juggling conference in St. Paul, MN).