+++The OFFICIAL Speed BAG 2010 Thread++

[Tim]

Yes, it's off to a great start. What a day! For me it ran from 7:30 AM to 2:00 AM, probably the most bagging i've ever done in a single day. Don and Real Gymm couldn't be better hosts, letting us commandeer the place and do whatever we want, as late as we want. Seeing Alan and Skunk punch drum live to JD and BT playing was a high light for sure, as was meeting so many forum and non-forum members in person. Really can't overstate what an incredible day it was.... and it went by in a blink of the eye.

Today it will be more of the same, and that is a good thing!

[jimcaher]

Yes, it's off to a great start. What a day! For me it ran from 7:30 AM to 2:00 AM, probably the most bagging i've ever done in a single day. Don and Real Gymm couldn't be better hosts, letting us commandeer the place and do whatever we want, as late as we want. Seeing Alan and Skunk punch drum live to JD and BT playing was a high light for sure, as was meeting so many forum and non-forum members in person. Really can't overstate what an incredible day it was.... and it went by in a blink of the eye.

Today it will be more of the same, and that is a good thing!

Congratulations Tim, you've certainly worked hard to pull this off. Anxiously awaiting pics and vids. Have fun and enjoy the fruits of all your efforts.

Have any vendors shown up?
Jim

[metaldad]

Yes, it's off to a great start. What a day! For me it ran from 7:30 AM to 2:00 AM, probably the most bagging i've ever done in a single day. Don and Real Gymm couldn't be better hosts, letting us commandeer the place and do whatever we want, as late as we want. Seeing Alan and Skunk punch drum live to JD and BT playing was a high light for sure, as was meeting so many forum and non-forum members in person. Really can't overstate what an incredible day it was.... and it went by in a blink of the eye.

Today it will be more of the same, and that is a good thing!

Footage...we must have footage!!

[Speedbag]

Congratulations Tim, you've certainly worked hard to pull this off. Anxiously awaiting pics and vids. Have fun and enjoy the fruits of all your efforts.

Have any vendors shown up?
Jim

Unfortunately no vendors could make it Friday or Saturday. Balazs staff had a wedding too close this and had to scratch. But the bagging was fast and furious. Wish you were here, Jimbo. You would have appreciated the amazing atmosphere in the gymm. This brings back serious memories of our days at MSU, when the Schroeders group was ripping it in the boxing class - everyone helping everyone. I just wish you and Doc could have shared this moment.

Speed bag History was made today, Saturday, with an indescribable inpromptu vertical bag drumming by Brian "Spinsmashpop" Tichy. Tim & Skunk hung a vertical bag and Spin set up his drums by the bag and worked for about 30 minutes banging out some of the most unique and ingenious speed bag drum rthyhms ever heard. the kick drum, snare, high hat and speed bag were all jamming in syncopation and it was amazing. I'm sure video's are too follow.

[MsDeville]

Speed Bag 2010 - Some Raw Footage

I took a lot of videos... these are just a few. I filmed these on Saturday, using my older Flip camera. It's not hi-def, so it was quicker to upload these.

These are just "teasers" as you will soon see, as other members get a chance to upload some amazing stuff.

It's been a fantastic event. Getting to meet so many great people, both from the forum and others who came after seeing it advertised on the web.

Don, owner of Real Gymm, has been so accommodating to the group. He went above and beyond all expectations of hosting this event at his gym. We are indebted to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you for offering up your facilities to SpeedB.A.G. 2010!


So, here is a sampling of some of the baggers who attended:

[crapshoot]

Well, that did it! If it wasn't for World Cup I'd have to go play in traffic.

The event looks like an amazing time. It's great seeing everyone there enjoying what they love among other enthusiasts and helping each other with advancing their skills. And more importantly, having FUN, FUN, FUN!!!! Were there a lot of kids there? That's how these things keep growing especially when it is fun.

It's too bad the vendors couldn't make it, but it's their loss By next year though, there will probably be lots to show them and a lot more people to provide data from the field for product testing.

To everyone that helped put this event together, post updates, and more importantly, those that were able to make it (forum members and others) a great many thanks!

P.S. Tim, the racks look great and rock solid! Looks like they are going to last for years to come

[paranday]

...
The event looks like an amazing time. It's great seeing everyone there enjoying what they love among other enthusiasts and helping each other with advancing their skills. And more importantly, having FUN, FUN, FUN!!!! Were there a lot of kids there? That's how these things keep growing especially when it is fun.

It looks like this would be a natural event for attracting walk-up interest. People who moments ago had no idea they were interested. Future addicts. Step right up, ladies and gents, put a smile on your face !

[SpeedBagScissorhands]

i just want to say it was an honor and a pleasure meeting and bagging w/ everyone in this forum- great baggers but much more important really great people.i am glad we all had the opportunity to meet. this was way too cool.
stay scissored everyone! "X"

[Speedbag]

I've had a few "high's" in my speed bag career, attending sport manufacturing shows and teaching seminars, going to the Olympics etc., but NONE as rewarding and just plain fun as SpeedBAG 2010. This was baggers heaven, made possible because everything thing came together "EL PRIMO!". The location was Awesome, and the owner of Real Gymm (DONNIE) is a guy that will restore your faith in humanity. They broke the mold when they made him. The surroundings, town, shops and restaurants were close and very accessible, friendly etc. The attendees, from forum members to walk in guests were simply great. All seemed to truly love the speed bag AND being part of the bagging community. Everybody hung together, bagging, eating and just hanging out. Skunk was on fire, Scissorhands was cutting, TIM and Biff were the steady organizers behind the scenes, covering all the details, and SpinSmashPop showed why he is one of the most talented and innovative drummers on the planet, while also being a genuinely great human being. It was great meeting MsDeville, TommyT, 88 and a host of others. I was also very honored to receive the plaque presented to me and felt the genuine appreciation for what efforts I have put forth to promote speed bagging over the years. I guess SpeedBAG 2010 can be seen as a culmination of some of that, but let's face it, without TIM and this forum, There would have been no awards for any of us given, for this event would not have happened. Anyway, thanks to all who had to a part in that.

And After all that, Deano and his Dad, Ted. Coming all the way from Australia to join us Yanks under the board. What can you say about them??? Meeting them was simply the greatest. They are two of the most open, friendly and genuinely interesting people you could ever hope to meet, and Seeing Deano punch the bag lIVE in person is an incrediblely unique experience you just won't get anywhere else. His has THE most original style of anyone I have ever seen. It's spell binding to watch. It is simply unbelievable how he works his magic on the bag. And his amazing Dad TED, who taught Deano years ago, is also very good on the bag, mixing doubles and triples non-stop from the side. The only thing more powerful than their unique punching style is the million dollar smiles they give to all who got to meet them. It was indeed an honor to have them come to this event, and spending our time together will be one of the highlights of my speed bag career.

I hated it had to end, and didn't want to leave. I suspect will all felt that way. Start planning now for 2011!!

[spinsmashpop]

My story on SPEED BAG 2010 pt I

Ok... first and foremost...
Thanks to Tim Platt and Donnie and his Real Gymm!!!!

Seriously! Those 2 elements coming together made this weekend too COOL!!!!
Tim put so much work into this and think about it.... the same dude who put this forum together is the same dude who spearheaded this event AND built the cages that we bagged on all weekend! Plus, he and his family drove it all up in a uhaul trailer from Florida!!!! And then.... assembled it when he got there!!!! And that is the icing on the cake! He put countless hours into calling companies, communicating with other baggers, looking for a place to do this... all while remaining calm cand collected! Tim shows nothing but traits of a person you WANT on your side! He is the reason that things in life go smoothly..... Cuz most people can't handle the amount of work Tim just took on!
Because of Tim, others get longer breaks in life and take easy ways out! They know there are cats like Tim out there that ALWAYS GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR WHAT THEY LOVE AND BELIEVE IN! And that's that!!!!!
**Then there is Donnie at the Real Gymm. To see him on the street, in a gym, a bar, etc..., not a guy you want to make angry! But to hang with him at his gym all weekend showed a guy that started out a genuinely cool, nice guy, but over the course of 48 hours, became a man with a big heart that WANTS to give and has qualities, like Tim, that show a go-getter, with tons of drive, ambition and kindness that goes with his instinct and feel! Speed BAG 2010 COULD NOT have found a better place and host to get this going!
I am so happy it ended up how it did! Donnie was as cool as you could imagine. There was zero stress, everyone was respectful and I don't think there are many groups of people getting together that have such a good time and have nothing but great intentions! Seriously, I've been in loads of bands and you always want to end up with a gang mentality as you have to live with each other for months on end and kick ass on stage together. But when we all came together, under Real Gymm's roof, it was like a guaranteed unspoken positive vibe was there.
We, as a group, make each other comfortable. But without Donnie offering his place, it wouldn't have been as fun!
I honestly hope it's there again!

So .... here's my breakdown of it all .... real quick...

I get there Friday afternoon,,,, non stop bagging going down outside and upstairs... Everyone is there, everyone is bagging, laughing and smiling... we are all learning, practicing, bs-ing, etc.
My bud, bassist JD shows up with me and we bring a small drumset and his bass and amp upstairs. We jam a bit as Alan punch drums. Alan shows everyone why he is the King! Bif presents Alan with a Lifetime King of the Bag type award! This is the least we can do for Alan as he influenced us, kicked our butts, still does and is the perfect person to bring the bag to the masses in a knowledged skilled beyond most kind of way....
We eat, come back and bag into the night... Skunk has been killin' everybody.... He shows up with a "reverse fist roll...from the front" pattern that blows us away! Scissorhands is flying faster than I've ever seen him on a Ubolt all day! Deano is blowing minds with his "Windshield Wiper-Rainbow style"! Like Alan said, it is unlike any other bagger! His dad too! And they both are super cool!
The cops come after we drum some more, crank AC/DC, James Brown, Michael Jackson and others, and we wrap it up... then we close McDonaugh's bar next door.
SKunk and I have room options but choose to get our own at another hotel.
I mention that we could drive up my mom's house and crash all mellow in our own rooms... wake up, meet my kids and my parents and ...when else would we get this chance.... so we go for it... but first Skunk needs to pull over and puke out of my mom's car! Yes! Now this is a true Speed Bag Convention!!!!
SKunk and I cruise back down and it all continues.... SKunk breaks a swivel after baggin' TOO FAST! Deano continues to blow people away! Baggers are everywhere! Donnie's wife busts out a Speed BAG birthday cake!! Donnie has awesome Speed Bag 2010 t shirts for sale (you should order them up, they are killer!)....Ted (TJ) continues to impress me with his advanced skills after baggin for only 6 months! Spdy TommyT shows us his Psycho Swivel with ball bearings in it and leather around the hook! Very cool and smooth!
Skunk continues to shred and slice and dice and floor all of us! EVeryone keeps laughing and learning .....
SKunk hooks up a vertical bag and platform. This has us attempting vertical bagging, upside down vertical bagging, and vertical bag punch drumming. I put the kick, snare and hat next to it and tried to go for stuff I've never tried in my life, but visualized it in my head for years now.. even before I could bag ... I could see and hear these rhythms... I've never tried it out of laziness and the desire to basically "bag" instead of set up drum/speed bag kits... Well, this whole vert thing at a lower height made it an easy thing to get into..
I guess it looks pretty cool and sounds it while looking somewhat difficult... it's not as the bag and drums are all about rhythm...
That was cool... I hope the vid gets some cool attention.... and outside of all this... I just joined Whitesnake...they do full on drum solos so I should have no reason to incorporate a bag into the solo next year... unless of course, it doesn't get approved by the band..
Anyhow... I had to leave a bit early .... and came back the next day to more baggin and hangin and having fun!
I love the Title Atomic bags! 2 sizes... the Xs is great.. and the XXs is a bit more of a novelty albeit totally cool too!
Donnie and Skunk gave us some boxer/fighter pointers a la Freddie Roach on bag punching power and utilizing the hook and it is very clear to see why the Speed Bag is a great tool for boxers/fighters. When you land on it just right with proper attack, there is a sound and bag reaction that clearly shows you nailed it just right... very cool stuff....
So, awards, cakes, psycho swivels, drums, bass, cops, bars, pukin' out mom's car, Skunk breaking swivs, inventing new moves (The Reverse Fist roll from the front AND The GLobetrotter!!), late nights, loud music, vertical baggin, veritcal bag drumming!, laughter, education, a unified brolike connection with each other, and non stop bagging with some great people! What more could ya want!!!!
And thanks Dee (Ms. Deville) for filming so much stuff.... I'm glad there were people getting this stuff on film to pump this all up and increase the awareness of the art of speed bagging !!!!
I know there were others there and they were all too many to name, and it's real late and I'm burnt....
But.... I am sad to see it end but glad that it actually happened!
BAG ON And ON!!!!!

[Eighty-Eight]

What can I say? Attending Speed B.A.G. 2010 was an awesome experience. Actually meeting all those people who you’ve seen videos of and corresponded with on the forum-- it’s kind of like meeting celebrities. It’s like “there they are.” But at the same time, there were no awkward “ice-breaking” moments because we all kind of knew each other thru the forum [thanks, Tim]. Those who have posted videos or have their photos as an avatar were instantly recognizable. I hope that others who I met for the first time will be posting in the future (are you out there G-Town and Greg?)

And the punch drumming lessons from Alan: I’ll always remember his unwavering patience in laying down a steady beat and counting out time on two drum sticks while I was trying to learn and integrate “3 and 3”, “5 and 1” and other syncopated rhythms on the bag. Thanks to his guidance, I finally got it. He’s the best. I can’t forget to mention two more of my teachers: Deano for showing me the just the very basics of the Australian style of bagging; and Tim for showing me that rebounding thing off the elbow. Very hip. Practicing that will keep me out of trouble for a while. Thanks to you both.

I got to view live and in person demonstrations from the best baggers in the world. As good as they are, I sensed no signs of egotism there. They’re just regular people who, through countless hours of practice, have become bag masters. I heard Skunk say in passing that he still considers himself to be a student. Wow. Makes you realize that we’re all just at different points along the same road.

On a personal level, I really got a lot out of going to Speed B.A.G. 2010. There’s one thing that I didn’t mention: I consider it a privilege to be a part of the speed bagging community and to hang with such a great bunch of people. Never forget lunch by the water and dinner at Johnny Tomatoes. Thanks to everyone. Hope to see you all again at Speed B.A.G. 2011. (Did I hear maybe Oakland, CA?)

Jack

[MsDeville]

Ms D's Exploits at SB2010

Well, I'm back home, safe and sound, in Washington state. Trainer Raul picked me up at the Sea-Tac Airport at 11:30 Sunday night. He barely got a word in edge-wise during the hour-long drive home while I rambled on and on, sometimes bursting in to tears of (Happy) emotion... that's how incredible this experience was for me... I think the others will agree, we didn't want to miss a single minute away from Real Gymm bagging, talking, sharing, and, simply standing around watching fellow Forum baggers, up close and personal!!!! Words can't describe it... (I think most of us were averaging only a few hours of sleep each night!)

I have so much to share with all of you regarding my SB 2010 experience... this forum thread will probably see several multi-part comments from those who attended, as we recall our whirlwind weekend in Keyport, NJ.

Never, in all my life, have I felt the way I do right now. I'm high, so high on the good times I had in Keyport at Don's Real Gymm. I had no idea that something like this would fill me with such emotion. (I think Bif can relate!)

I was in utter awe throughout the weekend. I felt as though I were hangin' with celebrities. And yet, as Jack (Eighty-eight) said, there were NO EGOS... just REAL PEOPLE sharing in this passion of a crazy sport – that only fellow baggers can relate to.

And, let me say this, also. As the "lone female bagger" at SB2010, I can honestly say, that never – NEVER – not for one moment did I feel out of place, awkward, or unwelcome.

The camaraderie at SB2010 was truly amazing. I felt such a connection with each and every person there... like nothing I've ever experienced in my lifetime. So, so incredible...

More observations to come. (And, lots and lots of video!)

[Mrs Mitts]

It's wonderful to hear all these amazing reports, thanks so much to everyone for posting. Thanks Ms Deville for all those clips - wow, no wonder all of you have come home on such a high.

It all sounds fantastic, and what a brilliant job Tim has done, largely unseen in the background to make it all a success.

Well, some of us will have to start saving our pennies for next year eh?

[fingers]

I have read every post on this thread and i am so glad you all had such a great time i am disappointed i could not get there and hope i can make it to future meetings The one thing that stands out on all these posts is RESPECT!! the people on this forum have it in abundance and you all have mine!!

[The Baggist]

I ditto what Fingers just said and would also like to thank Dee for her great video coverage of the event!!!!!