Training and teaching the Contenders has definitely reshaped my dancing. Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to.
The following are my battles in the BC One qualifier in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 19th 2012. I decided that if I never did a qualifier, if I never tried every route then I would simply have that regret. I’m not afraid to lose, and I’m not afraid to battle. I entered the Qualifier, through prelims,…
This weekend Contender Tuffy and I will be heading to Vegas for the BC One Cypher. There are 10 known invites and 6 open slots. The goal, for Tuffy to get one of those open spots. Based on the caliber of the event, there will be a very large amount of preliminary entries. Tuffy being an unknown, well, he’ll have to do work. Events like this are always a gamble and anything can happen.
Let’s roll the dice, Vegas.
Ricky Valo vs. Nick Abat
This battle clearly is not for everyone. It pursues the dimensions and constructs of breakin’. What constitutes a bboy? What age are we in? In fact it tests those principals indefinitely. It is a rebel yell, screaming hard work and self expression. In fact most people may hate this battle, well good. Then you are being opposed. A new world is surely possible.
They laughed at Jules Verne too.
On May 12, 2012
Contender Ricky Valo, will exhibition the young experimental rising star of CA, Nick Abat.
This will be an underdog vs underdog battle. Two younger generation bboys carrying on the vast spirit of experimental and intelligent dance. This will be an exhibition of wit, which is not to ignore the fierce and explosive nature of Nick Abat who has done wonders with his 5 year. I picked this battle for Ricky based on the momentum that Nick has gained in the last few years. It is indeed a challenge for Ricky, and in all hopes Nick may be surprised by Ricky’s stand against him. The beauty of this battle is to watch an exhibition of the diverse nature and young spirit of this dance. If and or when these dancers go on to have great acclaim in this dance it will be battles like this that will be reflected on as reference points. Turns even.
Show up this weekend to watch these young minds do battle.
The world is changing rapidly and with it, we change too. Accounting for variables, we become conduits for chance and risk. Practicing lottery methods, quick thinking, fast talking, faster walking.
Deliberate in recognizing that anything can happen, practicing the unexpected because that is how the world is formed. By surprise, intention, and specific goals. Living deliberately while knowing you can’t control everything. Putting art on payroll and working it to the bone. Expressing yourself till you fall from exhaustion. Your wins and losses can always be subject to discussion, debate. You’ll lose when you should’ve won, and vice versa. It’s an inaccurate system at times. The only certainty is progression. You’re either progressing or you’re not. Progression is the future. Winning or losing have no place in a new world.
Never missing an opportunity to reach your full potential. Put in the hours.
Long hours are where champions are made.
The following will be the Contenders training schedule for the entire month of May.
Mon 4.5hrs
Class 330-530
| Lunch |
Cypher City 7-9
Run 2 mi. 9-930
Tues 3.5hrs
Crossfit 4-5
| Lunch |
Ideas 7-9
Run 2 mi. 9-930
Wed 5.5hrs
Class 330-530
Inner Strength 6-7
Cypher City 7-9
Run 2 mi. 9-930
Thurs 3hrs
CrossFit 6-7
| Dinner |
Tricks 830-1030
Fri 5.5hrs
Class 4-6
Crossfit 6-7
Cypher City 7-9
Run 4 mi. 9-930
Sat OFF
Sun 2hrs
Class 4-6 (sets)
____________________________
= 24hrs per week.
Training the Contenders.
An introductory short by New York Times student Journalist Josh Morgan, who is also the official Journalist for the Contender Program. This last clip concludes the documentation for the first quarter of the program.
Josh currently in Africa will return next month, and continue to produce such great documentation.
I hope you enjoy this clip, as we finalize the first chapter of this story.
If you haven’t noticed yet just how fresh the Contenders are constantly dressed than I suggest you take note and follow the link.
KWOC is a company that supports the urban device, the disenfranchised, the underestimated, the rebellion. When all hell breaks loose, this will be your ski mask. Stop shopping like an asshole and wear your culture.
Also check the new writing on the front page done by yours truly.
Check the newness, it’s spring.
This week is officially ‘Black Out’ week for the Contenders.
Which means that they have completed over 240 hours of training in the first Quarter that started January 1st. So yeah, they earned a week off.
Usually training around 20 hours a week, the Contenders are pushing a pace of somewhere around 1,000 hours per year.
The average bboy does about 8-10 hrs. per week. That’s if they’re actually training and not just counting the hours they go to practice, sit there for 1.5 hrs and try ‘stuff’ for 30 min. Which (Again, if they’re actually training) averages out to somewhere between 400-500 hrs. per year.
The common bboy, or recreational bboy, does any where from 5-7 hrs. per week, of potentially crappy training. That’s averaging somewhere between 260-360 hrs. per year.
This means at the rate we’re going The Contenders will pass the “common bboy” at least 3x as fast, and pass the “average bboy” 2x as fast. This of course is in theory, and the obvious goal of the program. If you’re wondering how great bboys become great, it’s usually because they’re putting in long hours of quality work. Not because they’re ‘naturally’ gifted but because they work their asses off to look so natural.
People constantly ask me for advice, suggestions, shortcuts, and tips. All of these questions can be answered with the same response, put in the hours, and train hard.
It’s simple, just do the math.
How many hours are you pushing?
No excuses.
In light of training the Contenders, my teaching style has become very aggressive. I waste little time with people who aren’t will to give 100% and I have very little tolerance for excuses. From all my travels and experiences I have seen greatness come from poverty, disabilities, family problems, school problems, you name it. If you want something bad enough then you figure it out. You wake up tomorrow and you quit making fucking excuses.
Otherwise you’re just taking up space.
