Amazing Kids

You may love the Pogo Stick, but were you ever brave (or crazy) enough to do more than jump up and down? For those us, who played it safe when it came to Pogo Sticks, take a good look at the Guinness World Record holder who took jumping sky high to new heights!

Jumping enthusiast Fred Grzybowski shattered the previous Pogo Stick jumping record of 6 feet by bouncing over 7 feet, 6 inches on a Flybar 1200 at Pogopalooza IV. Here’s a video of his amazing record breaking jump:

But if, like me, you lacked the coordination or the courage to test the limits of such a bouncy toy, let me introduce you to a whole new world of extreme Pogo Stick stunts – because when it comes to extreme stunts, flying sky high takes on a whole new meaning!

What do you get when you combine a traditional Pogo Stick and a dedicated and slightly reckless kid? Why, you ask? Here’s why … Drum roll, please!

(We don’t recommend trying this at home – ever).

Can you believe this amazing kid just completed a backflip? On a Pogo Stick?! I’ve never seen anything so unexpected in my life, so I have to ask: how does one decide to attempt flipping through the air and landing on a 2-inch metal pole? Regardless of his motivation, Conor – this young daredevil – joins an elite list of people (3 to be exact that we were able to research) who have successfully completed such a dangerous stunt!

I’ve played the piano for years, and though I can belt out a pretty tune after weeks of pain-staking practice, I can’t compare to 11-year-old Edwin – the oldest jazz soul in a little boy body that I’ve ever seen. Plus, he is completely self-taught!

One of the most enthusiastic commanders of the ivory keys, Edwin had my body bouncing to the beat (and the song consequently stuck in my head) with the first note! – There is no doubt that this little boy has a lot of talent, but he is so entertaining that it leaves me with one question: Is he available for parties? Check out this boy boogie wonder:

Edwin can really keep the beat rocking, but if you want to bring the music down a notch, he’ll crank out a 1940’s classic – “Blueberry Hill.” Perfect for that “way back when” jazz feel, when you add Edwin’s swagger into the mix, you know it’s going to be entertaining. Enjoy!

What do stacking plastic cups in pyramids and eggs have in common? Fourteen year old, speed-stacking sensation Luke Myers! Myers, an Eden Prairie, MN native, is ranked second in the world at the lightening-fast sport known as speed-stacking – a title earned after years of non-stop practice and competitive competition. After receiving world-wide recognition for his quick wit and fast fingers, one of Luke’s YouTube videos caught the attention of the American Egg Board, who was so “blown away” by Luke’s talent that they signed him up as a spokesperson for their national ad campaign on incredible people! How many kids can boast such an honor?

For those of us unfamiliar with this up-and-coming sport, speed-stacking (also known as sport stacking) is a growing phenomenon among adolescents that challenges kids to stack and un-stack plastic cups in a series of pyramids – of course, in the shortest amount of time possible. It may seem that simple, but it’s not that easy! According to the World Sport Stacking Association, there are 3 different types of speed-stacking competitions – the 3-3-3, the 3-6-3, and the cycle. Amazingly enough, Luke Myers holds the record in his age group for each of these categories – impressed? I am!

Luke has become such an online sensation among young kids and adults alike, that many of his biggest fans have created tribute videos to showcase his talent and show they appreciate what he can do.  Here’s a YouTube tribute video created for Luke:

So, why was the American Egg Board interested in using this talented kid in their national campaign? The goal of the American Egg Board is “to increase demand for egg and egg products on behalf of the U.S. egg producers (http://www.aeb.org/about_aeb/mission.html).” Who better to promote a product that boosts energy for both body and mind than the world’s second-fastest speed machine? Let’s take a look at Luke’s incredible egg commercial:

Now, the recognized face of a major ad campaign, Luke Myers has come a long way. He may have started out as an average 11-year-old boy, who was introduced to a new game by his aunt, but now he’s an unstoppable speed machine!

Note: To keep up his speed, Luke practices for at least an hour a day. Want to beat Luke’s score? Grab some cups and start stacking!

For more information about Luke Myers and his speed-stacking background, check out this Pioneer Press news article: http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_13266115?source=rss