James Retarides Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 Next week we have the opportunity to practice at a new venue in Indian Trail, NC (very close to Charlotte off of 74/Independence Blvd.). The owners are the Legano family (Joey Legano is a Nascar driver with the Joe Gibbs Racing Team). They own Extreme Ice, a family oriented sports venue with two full sized hockey/skating rinks, a fitness center and a tavern. We were able to discuss a potential tournament for the weekend of June 13. Next Saturday, March 21, we are going to hold a practice/grip training there. The GM wants to know what kind of support our sport can field locally. From there, we would like to hold an NAA-style tournament complete with supermatches and the whole nine. All we are asking is that you come out, pull (or not) have a beer (or soda) or two and and a burger. The GM is well aware that a practice turn-out is not indicative of what a tournament would draw, but he would like to get a feel for the tournament and seems very interested in establishing a lasting relationship with the sport. So if you can, bring a friend or ten, a brother, a sister, your neighbor, whoever. We would greatly appreciate your attendance. Below is the address of the facility. The Center Ice Tavern is upstairs. We will be starting at 2pm and will also have a few grip toys there as well (ie, a blob, grippers, a 28-pound shot put etc...). Thanks mucho! 4705 Indian Trail Fairview Rd Indian Trail, NC 28079 (704) 882-1830 Quote
odin Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) James, I'm planning on going unless we have a work emergency or something. I'm thinking of doing a Grip Gauntlet-like setup (50 lb. Blob, seasoned Rolling Thunder with 180+ in plates, some type of gripper and the 28 lb. shot) there for people to try. I think this would be a good way to promote grip strength during an arm-wrestling tournament. Hopefully, it is not too tough of a crowd or I might need a bodyguard for any drunks who'll want to kick my ass if they can't replicate what i can do. On second thought, I don't know if mixing drinking and gripping is a great idea anyway (DFW gripsters notwithstanding ), but if it's the only game in town... James Otto, I think your new 2.5 might be a nice gripper to use for when we do a real tournament. I don't have any that look so nice and shiny. It felt like a real nice gripper. Edited March 15, 2009 by odin Quote Spoiler Bob Sundin 5'11 and 162 lbs. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7AZdUkf0aEDB3ET4UhU3Bg/videos
odin Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 Sorry, meant to write Jason Otto. I've been even worse with names than usual lately. Quote Spoiler Bob Sundin 5'11 and 162 lbs. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7AZdUkf0aEDB3ET4UhU3Bg/videos
James Retarides Posted March 15, 2009 Author Posted March 15, 2009 I really didn't give too much thought to the Rolling Thunder, but my concern is that the place is 6 weeks old and they might not want that much action on their floors. LOL I hope you can make it out...and Scott as well. Quote
odin Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) I really didn't give too much thought to the Rolling Thunder, but my concern is that the place is 6 weeks old and they might not want that much action on their floors. LOL I hope you can make it out...and Scott as well. Maybe we can bring a couple rubber mats and perhaps some plywood to put between them, can't do too much grip stuff other than grippers if they have pretty floors. Maybe they have a patio or other outdoor/ less formal area? Edited March 15, 2009 by odin Quote Spoiler Bob Sundin 5'11 and 162 lbs. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7AZdUkf0aEDB3ET4UhU3Bg/videos
James Retarides Posted March 15, 2009 Author Posted March 15, 2009 Well they said they didn't mind an armwrestling table and chalk, so if I bring my two mats to put down maybe we can work out the RT. Let me talk to the owners and get back to you. I think they will be okay with it. Quote
jasonotto Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 I will definitely be there. I like the grip gauntlet idea a lot. It should be a good time, all around. Quote
odin Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) Well they said they didn't mind an armwrestling table and chalk, so if I bring my two mats to put down maybe we can work out the RT. Let me talk to the owners and get back to you. I think they will be okay with it. James, I won't be doing any of my maniacal repping out; I'll just load it up with something I can lift easily and set down gently. I will definitely be there. I like the grip gauntlet idea a lot. It should be a good time, all around. Jason, I'd imagine it would draw a lot of interest from the same people who like AW or strength sports in general, so it should be fun. Edited March 15, 2009 by odin Quote Spoiler Bob Sundin 5'11 and 162 lbs. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7AZdUkf0aEDB3ET4UhU3Bg/videos
James Retarides Posted March 15, 2009 Author Posted March 15, 2009 The GM said it shouldn't be a problem. He will ask the owners and get back to me but said we'll be okay as long as the floor is covered. Quote
odin Posted March 22, 2009 Posted March 22, 2009 I put a writeup of the grip/AW with a few AW pictures in my blog. It is worth a look to see Paul Walther's forearm (he looks like Eaton's in-shape twin). Scott George is also shown pulling, he will likely soon be as well known in AW as he is in grip. Quote Spoiler Bob Sundin 5'11 and 162 lbs. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7AZdUkf0aEDB3ET4UhU3Bg/videos
jad Posted March 22, 2009 Posted March 22, 2009 Great pics Odin! Paul's forearm is sic Quote Proud member of the Feat Cheaters Club! Captain of Crush 2003-2011 Josh Dale Wentzville, MO
jasonotto Posted March 22, 2009 Posted March 22, 2009 Bob, I think everyone enjoyed learning all of those grip exercises at practice yesterday. It was a great grip workout/armwrestling practice. I'm looking forward to more grip work on Wednesdays. Quote
odin Posted March 23, 2009 Posted March 23, 2009 Great pics Odin! Paul's forearm is sic Thanks Josh! I'll try to get some of James R. and Paul AW together if you want to see two really huge forearms. Bob, I think everyone enjoyed learning all of those grip exercises at practice yesterday. It was a great grip workout/armwrestling practice. I'm looking forward to more grip work on Wednesdays. Thanks Jason, I had a great time, picking up the Blob on demand is always fun. I think it will be cool for you to come over and try the Inch and the rack-mounted wrist-roller. Eaton will be happy, because you'll encourage me to pick up a gripper more than once every 6 months or so (I like your #2.5 and #3). Quote Spoiler Bob Sundin 5'11 and 162 lbs. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7AZdUkf0aEDB3ET4UhU3Bg/videos
jad Posted March 23, 2009 Posted March 23, 2009 Great pics Odin! Paul's forearm is sic Thanks Josh! I'll try to get some of James R. and Paul AW together if you want to see two really huge forearms. Bob, I think everyone enjoyed learning all of those grip exercises at practice yesterday. It was a great grip workout/armwrestling practice. I'm looking forward to more grip work on Wednesdays. Thanks Jason, I had a great time, picking up the Blob on demand is always fun. I think it will be cool for you to come over and try the Inch and the rack-mounted wrist-roller. Eaton will be happy, because you'll encourage me to pick up a gripper more than once every 6 months or so (I like your #2.5 and #3). Yeah, James posted some pics over on the NE board and his forearm is huge too Anyone else think Scott looks a lot like Ron Bath? Quote Proud member of the Feat Cheaters Club! Captain of Crush 2003-2011 Josh Dale Wentzville, MO
James Retarides Posted March 24, 2009 Author Posted March 24, 2009 Correction, trying to lift the blob is never fun...not to me It was a great time, back to work this week. I want my hands to get the workout they got two weeks ago. I hope I do as well in grip as I know Scott will do in armwrestling. And Josh, don't listen to them, they all say my forearm is bigger than Paul's but when I look at Paul's forearm, I just don't see how that's possible. Quote
odin Posted March 24, 2009 Posted March 24, 2009 Correction, trying to lift the blob is never fun...not to me It was a great time, back to work this week. I want my hands to get the workout they got two weeks ago. I hope I do as well in grip as I know Scott will do in armwrestling. And Josh, don't listen to them, they all say my forearm is bigger than Paul's but when I look at Paul's forearm, I just don't see how that's possible. James, once you really get into training the Blob, I think you will lift it in a couple months. Once you lift it for the first time, it will be hit or miss for a while and eventually you will be able to do it on most days and it will become more fun for you. Your forearm is one of the sickest I've seen and your hand may be one of the thickest as well. You will do very well in grip. Quote Spoiler Bob Sundin 5'11 and 162 lbs. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7AZdUkf0aEDB3ET4UhU3Bg/videos
James Retarides Posted March 24, 2009 Author Posted March 24, 2009 Bob, my problem is the thumb pain I get from wide pinch. But I can't wait until the day I lift it. I want to read your blog now but have to wait until I get in front of a computer. Quote
odin Posted March 24, 2009 Posted March 24, 2009 Bob, my problem is the thumb pain I get from wide pinch. But I can't wait until the day I lift it. I want to read your blog now but have to wait until I get in front of a computer. We'll have to ask Jedd about that, he has some good ideas about thumb rehab. I think he posted something on his blog recently about it. Quote Spoiler Bob Sundin 5'11 and 162 lbs. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7AZdUkf0aEDB3ET4UhU3Bg/videos
nostyle126 Posted March 26, 2009 Posted March 26, 2009 I was at the practice. Nobody impressed me. Paul and James are scrawny in person. Know that one guy that impressed me? Erick Szczap. That guy dominates the table. Quote Erick Szczap
nostyle126 Posted March 28, 2009 Posted March 28, 2009 Hi Erick What gave me away??? Quote Erick Szczap
James Retarides Posted March 28, 2009 Author Posted March 28, 2009 The fact that you have no style. LOL Not that I'm exactly Ralph Lauren Quote
madss Posted March 28, 2009 Posted March 28, 2009 I was at the practice. Nobody impressed me. Paul and James are scrawny in person. Know that one guy that impressed me? Erick Szczap. That guy dominates the table. Man that guy was great, I'll let him know he has a stalker on the gripboard. Is this that big hairy lady that was pounding buds in the corner the whole night? Oh I just read down a few lines, its you Erick, welcome aboard!! Quote Scott George
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