I went out pogoing for the first time in a few months today. My wife and I had our first child in November, and then shortly after, the Covid-19 pandemic started taking full effect, so I haven’t had much free time aside from work. Luckily, my day job as a Land Surveyor is considered an essential job, so I still have income, but I haven’t had any time for my passion: Pogoing. To get back out and jump today felt so nice, even without crazy tricks and flips. Just the feeling of bouncing brought back the original joy that glued me to this sport in the first place. For ten minutes, in between loads of laundry drying, I was able to bring back feelings I had missed for a long time. It got me thinking about my history and the many different opportunities pogoing has given me.
My first ever pogo gig was a set of parades in New York, which had been organized by Nick Ryan, who would go on to lead Xpogo through its massive growth. He created a team known as the Pogo Guys, which consisted of myself, Tone Staubs, Jake Fagliarone, Silas Newcomb, and a few others from Silas’ crew to showcase our various styles to the audience. It was an eye-opening experience, and I knew I wanted to make a living doing what I loved.
After that first gig, I worked at Universal Studios, in Orlando Florida, as a pogoing parade performer on an Easter themed float. I was fresh out of high school when I was offered a chance to pogo for the president and CEO of Universal Orlando. I took the chance, and a few weeks later, moved two hours from Bradenton to Orlando. Although the choreography was a bit monotonous, myself and the other performers had a blast every day, just pogoing for hours and trying new tricks. I was surrounded by 15 new pogoers who constantly wanted to learn, so I was always bouncing with them. It was during this time that I expanded my signature style, and released my favorite of all my videos, my 5th solo.
1. My first Hometown gig, the Bradenton Regatta
2. No Handed Peg Grab during a school show in PA at 7am.
3. Minutes before Xpogo’s first Football performance for the Canadian Football League.
4. Warming up for a college basketball halftime show.
(Second from right, next to Fred)
Shortly after that, I joined up with the Xpogo Stunt Team to take my performances to the next level. I traveled all over the world doing so many different types of gigs with my friends, all expenses paid. It was my dream come true. Pogoing with the Stunt Team required a lot of flexibility though. Sometimes we would be on stage for a total of 4 minutes, other times we lead an entire show, emceeing as we go. I would perform a Halftime show for the NBA, and then the next morning wake up at 6am to drive to an elementary school for a school fundraiser show. One time I even performed alongside (not for, but WITH) Google creator Sergey Brin. That was crazy. He’s worth millions. But he respected our sport and enjoyed our show, and decided two jump in with some acro-yoga.
Before I slowed down and got a “real job,” I was traveling and performing every day for years. Now, just a few short years later, I hardly have time to pogo. But I have began to realize that that’s okay. Pogoing will forever be with me, and all of us. So basically what I’m saying is this: Whatever way you are able to pogo, whatever form that takes, whether it’s for hours in front of an audience or alone in a field for a few minutes, cherish it. Even if you are dressed in a candy themed clown outfit.
