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Competition damas

Discussion in 'The Sesh' started by ttocsic, Apr 15, 2018.

  1. ttocsic

    ttocsic Slayer

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    I'm curious what damas people use for competitions. I've never been to one, and if I did, I don't think I would have a good dama because they have to be honed for everything! So I'm curious, what damas have you used for competitions in the past? Is there a specific wood/ ken shape/ size/ paint/ clear type that you prefer to have for competitions?
     
    Apr 15, 2018
  2. Jasper B.

    Jasper B. Slayer

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2016
    Location:
    San Diego
    I have had my share of competitions.
    My first comp was Murrieta kendama fest, and I used a TJ Kolesnik mod. (First place Beginner)
    Next comp was the Yatta x Dave ladder event, I used a craft ash slim x bray kwc (5th place intermediate)
    OJO 2017 I used a Bamboo Bray mod (1st place intermediate)
    Weekend in the Woods 2017 I used a full maple Aynedter mod (Open but didn't place)
    Summer Squeeze 2017 I used full maple Aynedter mod (Open but didn't place)
    OJO 2018 I used a Sourmash painted Aynedter mod (Open but didn't place)
    (Future events) Weekend in the Woods 2018 probably gonna use a GT-E1

    From my experiences, I really like using whatever is new at the time. Slowly I have developed to favor maple setups, natties, and sticky paint.
     
    Apr 16, 2018
    ttocsic likes this.
  3. ttocsic

    ttocsic Slayer

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    sweet! Thanks for the input.
     
    Apr 16, 2018
  4. Jasper B.

    Jasper B. Slayer

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2016
    Location:
    San Diego
    You should try and make it out to a competition! Even if you dont win, it will be one of your best experiences meeting all of the other dama players
     
    Apr 16, 2018
  5. ttocsic

    ttocsic Slayer

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Yeah man it's definitely on the bucket list, but the main problem is being 15 and not being able to travel independentaly. If we have a local one, I'll totally make every effort to get to it, but right now flying somewhere for a competition is out of the question.
     
    Apr 16, 2018
  6. Jasper B.

    Jasper B. Slayer

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2016
    Location:
    San Diego
    Yo, I am a similar age, I still got school going on, but I can generally find friends to carpool with, or make time for my family to drive up. Most events you can be dropped off or picked up, and it makes it easier for parents or guardians to drive you down. Also kendama camps like Weekend in the Woods and Camp kendama are cool if you are able to get a ticket, because they are a super nice atmosphere, you are with kendama players in the middle of the woods, and one with nature. Weekend in the woods provides food every day, and cabins to stay at, and they even have their own shuttle that picks up dama homies from the airport. Once in a lifetime experience
     
    Apr 16, 2018
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  7. ttocsic

    ttocsic Slayer

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Yeah that sounds awesome. One other problem is that my parents aren't very supportive of dama, and if I told them I wanted to go to a kendama camp they would laugh it off and probably think it's a joke. Maybe once I've played a little longer, they may consider it, but as of now, local jams are probably my best bet. It will be nice when I get my driver's license next year.
     
    Apr 16, 2018
  8. Jasper B.

    Jasper B. Slayer

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2016
    Location:
    San Diego
    I am very lucky to have supportive parents of my various hobbies. If you have an instagram, there are always posts of local jams, and there may be one near you. I have no idea what area you reside, but I can bet there are some other kendama players not too far, and most likely kendama jams with them. If not, you could even make your own ken clubs with some social media advertising, and some friends to help you put it together. There are always companies willing to provide prizes too!
     
    Apr 16, 2018
    ttocsic likes this.
  9. Aric Bukiri

    Aric Bukiri Honed Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2017
    Location:
    Illinois
    I’d say its just whichever kendama you feel the most honed with! Ive used a 6 year bday slaydawg before for a competition it was just my favorite dama to play with at the time and i did awesome with it!
     
    Apr 16, 2018
    KeeganS and ttocsic like this.
  10. ttocsic

    ttocsic Slayer

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    There are a good amount of GA dama jams near me, but I haven't been able to make it out to one yet. And I don't have social media. At one point, I had 5-6 friends playing kendama, but they all quit unfortunetely. I'm trying to re-spread the love at my school today, though. It's before school right now, and today I'm givng a dama to a girl how seems pretty stoked on it, so hopefully she stays with it.
     
    Apr 17, 2018
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  11. Emil Apostol

    Emil Apostol DS Legend

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Location:
    Philippines
    Hmm... personally, it's either a really honed natty kendama, or a kendama with a broken in "sticky" clear. I've only ever joined one comp, but I used a KROM bamboo kendama that was extremely honed (all the blood, sweat, and tears I put into that dama made it able to do anything).
     
    Apr 17, 2018
    ttocsic and Jasper B. like this.
  12. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    Be careful, in some cultures giving a dama to a girl is like proposing marriage but without the glittery bits of a ring. :p
     
    Apr 17, 2018
    Dantama and ttocsic like this.
  13. Aaron Gallegos

    Aaron Gallegos Slayer

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2017
    Location:
    California
    My rule of thumb is to use your current main jammer. It’s the most honed because you’re used to it and it’s more likely broken in to land everything. It also depends on the trick list. If there’s a lot of lunars and stalls, don’t use a fresh dama with glossy paint; if there are juggles, don’t use a dama with too short of a string; if there are axes and underbirds, use a dama that locks them in between the cup and the ring (like a Sweets prime); etc. You know yourself best when it comes to what setup you’re comfortable with.
     
    Apr 18, 2018
    ttocsic likes this.
  14. Matteo Schulz

    Matteo Schulz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2017
    Location:
    Washington
    Can totally relate, lol; Even at 16, my travel to events (I.e Tacoma Takeover 4, which I live roughy an hour away from) is still extremely limited
     
    Apr 19, 2018
    ttocsic likes this.