Enjoy!

Song: Architecture in Helsinki – Frenchy I’m Faking

As the game has evolved, so have I had to evolve with it. There’s just too much history for me to turn back from kendama now. ‘Colin Sander – Practicing Kendama’ sees me working on some of the harder, ‘new-school’ style tricks. I can honestly say I’ve challenged myself physically and mentally to come through with this jam edit. I’m in better shape than I have been in years and have improved flexibility, and a knee that’s finally healed from surgery. These factors all helped me lay down some heavy hitting tricks that I present to you here.

There is some riding funk thrown in for fun to break up the madness. Sorry for not sessioning outside, but these were cold, calculated, introspective learning experiences. Special thanks to Matt Ballard and Kristian Aynedter who really helped me learn in the early stages. Good luck to everyone at the Kendama World Cup, It amazes me the level of play that is out there now, and I’m thankful to be involved in it.

New inventions for this edit:
cork kenflip. (3 twist 1 flip)
double-kenflipping juggles.
nollie tre flip (sara grip)
‘sh*t stained juggalo’ (credit: Andrew McIntyre)
aka double-kenflip juggling around the world
‘traveling’ (trip 2 trip [whirlie])

Track: Kixxie Siete – Kixxie 7

Just so you all know, this is not my tenth edit… My tenth edit, ‘Kendama X’, is going to be an immersive kendama experience that reaches and takes place in far flung corners of the globe, harnessing the talents of many people both in front-of and behind the camera. When Kendama X finally reaches fruition, You will all have the chance to own it and experience it, and it will be the first of it’s kind in the juggling community. Patience, young grasshoppas.

-Colin

The homies over at Sac Kendama got a spot on Good Day Sacramento today. It\’s fun checking out the skills of news hosts during these reports in different parts of the country. This guy got pretty dialed for on-air! Huge thanks for the shout outs to Kendama USA, Metropolis Comix, and for rocking the Tribute shirts and hoodies!

Published on Dec 16, 2012

Kendama is more than just a toy. It is the focal point of a community of people brought together by a common passion. From their hometown of Wenatchee, WA to the impoverished streets of Burundi, Africa, Where We Are follows Wenatchee Kendama Team as they take part in different communities around the globe.

Visit us at- Facebook.com/WenatcheeKendamaTeam
Buy your kendamas at- KendamaUSA.com

Starring WKT- Alex Loomer, Alex Winters, Chris Ringering, Chris Rodrigues, Conner Walsh, Greg Ringering, Jacob Resler, Keith Matsumura, Matthew Ballard, Nick Mayo, Scott Paine, Will Burwell, Zack Winters

Friends- Turner Thorne, Alex Smith, Jake Wiens, Dave Mateo, TJ Kolesnik, Hunter Bailey, Dana Fenster, Kristian Aynedter, Adam Kingman, Thomas Holzer, Daniela Von Rohr, Daniel Perez, Marta Queralt, Dan Robinson

Sponsors- Kendama USA

Directed, Filmed, and Edited by- Matthew Ballard

Shot On Location- Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, Switzerland, Spain, Burundi

Final finished Plenty of bangers plus some quick-shots from my trip to California and around Canton. I wanted to create a higher energy kendama edit and took inspiration from the music video for the song DIE SLOW by HEALTH. All rights to HEALTH

In this powerful, long-form showcase- one day of Japanese kendama-play is documented. Top performers from across the globe spend quality time with one another in the land o’ the dama. This was just one of many days during a blessed summer trip for WKF2012. I photographed so much, but had such little time upon my return I have only now begun to reach the footage. The longer-yet piece, ‘Peak Performance Kendama’ is in the works, including the whole of this trip, as well as the KG Roots tour, and more. One Day In Japan shows the joys of veteran-form… we didn’t set out after stunts. … this time.

Featuring:
Alex Ruisch
Jeffrey Van Reeven
Kenta Sakamoto
Tomoya Mukai
Rodnel Ansell
Tamotsu Kubota
Tajima Akira
Katsuaki Shimadera
Colin Sander

Musc by:
Beck
Phillip Glass
Rocket Juice & The Moon

www.KendamaUSA.com
www.colinsander.com

Zack Yourd has always been a stylish and innovative Kendama player. This 5 trick fix showcases some unbelievably difficult, technical, and progressive tricks.
Zack\’s new Kendama USA Pro Model was just released earlier this year. Check his and others out here

All tricks performed on Tribute Kendamas, except for one performed on an OG green Oozora.
Filmed by Kristin Olinyk and Alex Smith, Edited by Alex Smith.

Alex\’s pro model is available now in the STORE.

The 2012 Pro Models are now available!!!

The Kendama USA Pro Team is made up of a distinguished, talented, and positive group of Kendama players. These seasoned veterans have been true innovators, pioneers, and inspirations to the growing number of Kendama players around the world. Each team member has chosen his own unique engraving and tama color for this very special product release.

The 2012 Pro Models use a dense, high quality dark cherry wood for the Tama. This extra weight gives your Kendama a unique feel, sound, and control while playing. Each Pro Team member has his signature laser engraved into the handle. Inside our brand new packaging, you’ll find an envelope stuffed with a handful of fresh stickers, and instruction guide, and and extra string and bead. A portion of every purchase goes directly to that player. Help support your favorite Pro!!!

The Pro Models have been our fastest selling Kendamas to date. Act fast to be sure and get your piece of history! If your local store does not carry Kendama USA products, let them know you want them before they’re gone. You can also order the Pro Models online in our web store HERE.

We have been receiving questions in our inbox daily. We will address some of those specific questions here:

When will the Pro models be out?
NOW!!! Check them out in the store.

What color is Alex Smith’s Pro Model?
This is Alex’s first Pro Model from Kendama USA. He has chose Sage Green as his color. Great pick!

Why did the rest of the team choose the same colors as last year?
We wanted to improve on the Pro Models we produced last year. There have been huge improvements to our manufacturing process, materials, and overall product design. We wanted to re-release the original colors along with Alex’s pro model for our supporters to have a higher quality version of our classic Pro Model.

Will you ever pick new colors for the Pro Models?
Yes. The next version of Pro Models (2013) will have all new colors.

What else is different about this Pro Model series?
We have been tweaking the dimensions of our Ken on each production. Compared to the most recent batch of Tributes (spring/summer 2012), the Pro Model kens have slimmed down just a bit where you grip the ken, and have also thinned down the spike for a precision spiking experience. The Tributes have always been noted for their excellent balance and weight distribution, and the Pro Models are our newest tweak to an already superior Ken.

Will you keep making this version of Pro Models?
We don’t plan to. After this production is gone, we plan to move forward with some of our new ideas for 2013.

Who is the next Pro?
We’ll find out in 2013!!!

So here it is, our top 3 Winners!!

3rd Place

Daniella Rohr and Thomas Holzer

Click HERE to watch

2nd Place

Jimmy Jacobson and Mikey Vrana

1st Place

Li ho Cheung & Smore Chan

Li ho and Smore will be the proud new owners of :

– 2 new Sakura style Kendamas, new from Ozora
– 2 Tribute Kendamas of choice (non custom)
– 2 T-shirts of choice
– 2 New Color String Packs
– 2 Sticker packs and poster packs

Congratulations Guys!

To all our winners, please let us know which Tribute Kendamas you choose, your shirt sizes, and your color preferences.

THATS NOT ALL!!!

Because we enjoyed the entries so much, we have decided to give away even more prizes. These judges selections will all be receiving 2 New Color String and Bead Packs and some of our brand new stickers!!!

Drumroll please….

Best Battle Award

Marcus Villagran & Joseph Quintos
Watch Full Video Here

Favorite Flip award

Samuel & Albert
Watch Full Video Here

Long Distance Space Walk award

Chaz Edwards & Hesse Hensley
Watch Full Video Here

Maximum Stoke Award

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Jordan & Jerimiah
Watch Full Video Here

Sly Camera Tricks award

Chad & Brad Covington
Watch Full Video Here

Girl Power Award

Delilah & Selina
Watch Full Video Here

Most Intense Unboxing Award

Thomas Page & Pat Metcalf
Watch Full Video Here

Switch Grip Swag award

Alex & Isaiah
Watch Full Video Here

Steezy Syncro award

Chris Ruaboro & Steven Braun
Watch Full Video Here

Funnest, Friendliest Humans award

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Terry & JiJan from SuperFriends Kendy
Watch Full Video Here

Stay Tuned to the website for our next awesome contest!!! Thanks everybody.

It\’s time for another awesome Kendama USA contest!  In the Doubles competition you will have to choose wisely, as you\’ll be working with a friend.  You will both play simultaneously, and as always, we encourage you to get as creative as possible.  You will be judged on synchronization, creativity, difficulty of tricks, location choice and the overall quality of the edit.  Remember the whole point of the competition is to get together with your buds and have FUN!  Lets get stoked on Kendama again before summer is over.

Contest Rules:

•  You must choose one teammate in your edit. You cannot submit another edit with a different Teammate.
•  Creativity and new tricks is a major plus.
•  The more synchronized you and your teammate are on each trick, the better.
•  The tricks must actually be filmed simultaneously.  No editing cheats!
•  Your edit MUST be 1:30 or less. If you go over the time limit, it is automatically disqualified, and we will be sad with you.
•  Deadline is Sunday, August 5th, at 11:59 pm PDT (pacific daylight time, westside!!).   Any edit submitted after the deadline will not be accepted, and great sadness will be felt.

How to enter:
•  Upload your edit to YouTube or Vimeo.  You must include \”Kendama USA Doubles Contest\” in the title.
•  Send an email to Contest@KendamaUSA.com  with the edit URL link, names of both players, contact info, and a mailing address for prizes.

Prizes:
• 1st place winner
– 2 new Sakura style Kendamas, new from Ozora
– 2 Tribute Kendamas of choice  (non custom)
– 2 T-shirts of choice
– 2 New Color String Packs
– 2 Sticker packs and poster packs

•2nd place winner
– 1 new Sakura style Kendama, new from Ozora
– 1 Tribute Kendama of choice (non custom)
– 2 Tribute T-shirts
– 2 Kendama Wooden Stencils
– 2 New Color String Packs
– 2 Sticker packs and 2 poster packs

•3rd place winner
– 2 Tribute Kendamas of choice (non custom)
– 1 KendamaUSA T-shirt
– 1 Sticker Pack
– 1 New Color String Packs

There are some other special prizes being given away for runner up edits, but you have to enter to find out!!!

Grab a friend and start filming.  Have fun!!!

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UPDATE. WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!!!
See the winners HERE
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