2011 Seaside Highland Games (Ventura, California)

[eclarkhb]

Alan -

Thanks for the reply!! I had such a good time at the games, totally hooked now! And thanks for getting me (and indirectly GoodGirl) hooked up with West in OC.

Since I was in the novice category, I did indeed throw the 42lb weight for WOB & HWFD...

Here are my numbers:

Bramar Stone (22#) - 22'
Open Stone (16#) - 37' 2"

Light Weight for Distance (28#) - 47' 9.5"
Heavy Weight for Distance (42#) - 29' 4"

Light Scottish Hammer (16#) - 75' 4"
Heavy Scottish Hammer (22#) - 61' 5"

Weight Over Bar (42#) - 13'
Caber - 12:00

With HWFD I fouled the 1st 2 throws trying to double spin, so on the 3rd throw I just did a single spin to make sure I got it in. With WOB, I cleared 13' by a good foot, I could have gone higher, but since I was the only person to clear 13', we just moved on...

I also got everything on video which was GREAT because now I can see how lousy my technique is & I have TONS of room to improve! So lots to work on between now & Long Beach :-)

I'll post some vids, feel free to comment/critique here or on youtube....

[eclarkhb]

Some videos from Seaside Highland Games:

Heavy Scottish Hammer - Although I won this, my technique needs a lot of work.


Weight Over Bar (42 lb)
Everyone missed 13', this was my 3rd attempt & sealed the victory.


Open Stone (16 lb)
This was probably my best event, but man, the technique needs a bunch of work, I threw from 2' behind the trigg!

[eclarkhb]

More videos from my 1st Highland Games:

Heavy Weight for Distance (42 lb) - Needs a lot of work, fouled my 1st 2 throws:


Light Weight for Distance (28 lb)


Caber Toss - really awkward, but got lucky & got a 12:00.

[OC Richard]

Cool videos!

Here's one of our nascent band, on it's second time out (the first was Pleasanton).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0FkzMC3PPk

At 1:20 is a closeup of yours truly!

A few bobbles here and there... we have much to work on in the offseason.

[eclarkhb]

Very cool!! And nice close-up :-)

And Alan, Big Congrats on the PR!!

[GoodGirlGonePlaid]

@OCRichard I want THAT as a ringtone!
You guys look sharp in the black hose.

Yup, I figured Eric would win. One well seasoned guy at practice said, "He throws as far as I do... and he's been here 2 weeks!"
CONGRATULATIONS!

@Alan Along with smoking your competition, you also win for giving the best hugs and caber lessons. :yes:

Well my numbers are reading this over my shoulder and laughing at me, so heck no I ain't be postin' 'em.


Yes, all the emoticons wanted to be in this post, so I obliged them.

[Neil Clark]

At 1:20 is a closeup of yours truly!

A few bobbles here and there... we have much to work on in the offseason.

Richard, great stuff, fun to listen to. Best thing about the cam zooming in on you, was we could all see it wasn't YOU who made the blooter going in to the jig!

[eclarkhb]

Yup, I figured Eric would win. One well seasoned guy at practice said, "He throws as far as I do... and he's been here 2 weeks!"
CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks....now you're making me blush....

And nice use of emoticons

[justmeinsp]

Just wanted to comment that my husband and I and my parents watched some of you in the games that Sat., and we were impressed with everyone's abilities. Great job! It was my parents first time to attend (hubby & i were there last year) and I'm hoping they're able to go with us again next year (Dad'll be 82 this December, and Mom 78 in January). Looking forward to 2012's event...

jan in santa paula, ca

[Alan H]

Eclarb..in the weight over the bar STAY WITH the weight. You're hella strong, so you accelerated that thing fast. That's excellent, but you "gave up" on the weight about mid-chest height. You want to let go of that thing above your head.

You should be on your tiptoes....think "triple extension" as in the Olympic lifts. Your hand should be completely over your head.

Rock the weight to get your rhythm, and then just before you pull, wait a millisecond, let the weight drop. Then "sit" into it a bit and then RAM YOUR HIPS as hard as you possibly can, just like with an Olympic lift. Stand up like a mofo and reach for the sky. You'll go 15+ with the 42 pounder if you do that. Like my friend Bethany says...."lead with your junk!

In the weights for distance, you went through both entire throws standing up. BEND YOUR KNEES. Get into power position...essentially the same as a hang clean lift, and STAY down until the final lift to delivery. Considering that you were totally upright through the throw, and you've only practiced for two weeks, hitting 49 feet is freakin' awesome.