Circusplanet - jongleren - interview

Some time ago there was a discussion about Jason Garfield on rec.juggling. What do you think about him? What about Anthony Gatto?
I've never met Jason Garfield so I can't comment on him as a person, but I've seen several of his videos and I consider him to be one of the most skilled jugglers in the world. I particularly like the fact that he's willing to try quite ambitious tricks such as a 10 club flash, which is something that no-one else has probably even considered attempting. Anthony Gatto is probably my favourite juggler because he performs his juggling so solidly and has taken several tricks, such as 9 balls and 7 clubs, way beyond what anyone previously thought possible.
What country do you think is the greatest country for jugglers? Why?
Well I'd have to say the UK since it seems to have the highest density of juggling clubs and conventions - and I haven't experienced the juggling scene outside the UK. However, it's not easy practising in the winter in the UK if you juggle outside a lot.
What's the best convention you have ever been to?
I haven't been to a great number of conventions and none outside the UK but I'd probably have to say the British Juggling Convention 2003, which happened to be held at the university I study at. There are always a lot of good jugglers at the BJC and the workshops at the 2003 convention were very good.
Who inspires you during your juggling-career?
I wouldn't call it a career since I'm an amateur juggler and have never performed, however Anthony Gatto has always inspired my juggling despite the fact that I've only seen him on videos. Ben Beever is also a source of inspiration because he's an amazing juggler and is interested in the same kind of stuff that I'm interested in - I also meet him now and again at conventions. Another juggler I should mention is Mark Thomas who introduced me to Barnsey Bags and 10+ ball juggling. Actually, everyone I've ever seen juggling have inspired me to some degree.
What do your family/friends say about the fact that you juggle?
I'm not sure my family are conscious of it most of the time, probably because they see me juggling so often. I think, like most non-jugglers, they don't understand why I bother doing it and my youngest brother frequently calls me a clown - when he wants to annoy me! None of my family can juggle. Most of my friends end up being able to juggle at least 3 balls.
What kind of juggling props do you use?
The balls I use most are 80g Barnsey Bags made by Dave Barnes (who no longer makes them). They're quite small and saggy making them easy to catch and easy to hold a lot of them in your hands. I also have larger beanbags, stage balls and DX's that I use now and again because I think it's good practice to use a wide variety of props. The clubs I use are Beard Circus Specials, which are quite narrow and light (good for numbers). They're also cheap, which makes them easily replaceable.
How long do you practice (on average)?
I try to practice every day for at least an hour. However, this is not always possible since I'm working most of the time and I often have difficulty finding places to juggle. I have a longer juggling session of about 2 hours at juggling club once a week.
Do you always juggle alone, or also in groups?
I juggle alone most of the time since I don't know any jugglers near me who practice every day. I only meet other jugglers at juggling club and conventions.
What do you find the most difficult trick you can do?
The 12 ball flash. I spent several months trying to do it and have only done it once. To do it successfully requires a lot of training, practice, hundreds of attempts and of course luck. The main difficulty with high numbers is that you need to get them out very fast and high while maintaining very good throw accuracy. There's no room for error because the chance of collisions is high and there's no time to make wild catches.
What are your aims concerning juggling?
My main aim at the moment is to qualify 11 balls. I spend a high percentage of my practice sessions working on high numbers with balls. Other aims I have are to flash 13 balls, be able to run several of the simpler 5 club siteswaps continuously, run 5 club backcrosses continuously, improve on 6+ ball siteswaps and generally become a better juggler.
What's the greatest thing you've ever done, concerning juggling?
I'd say that it would be the 18 catches clean with 11 balls that I did in the summer (2003) since that was closest I've come to achieving my main goal of qualifying 11 balls. It's also the only record I hold on my own (unofficially).
Do you think that it will be a long time before someone flashes 13 balls and who will be the first to do it?
My guess is that the 13 ball flash is still quite a long way off. As far as I know only a couple of people are actually trying to do it - Ben Beever's best attempt is 11 catches but he says that was a one off. I will be the first to do it (I have to be confident to succeed)!
Who do you think is 'the best upcoming juggler'?
I'd have to say Thomas Dietz looking at his recent online videos. I know he's been juggling a while but it's only recently that he's become well known in the juggling community. He's very good at almost all types of juggling and he's especially good at making very difficult siteswaps look easy and running them for a long time. I hope he continues to improve at his current rate.
What site do you think quite a low number of people know about, but is a fantastic site?
http://www.juggling.se/ . A Swedish juggling site with a lot of good videos and a whole section for 5 club juggling.
Do you juggle listening to music? If yes, what music?
Yes, I find it keeps me going and helps me not think too much about the juggling. I listen to all kinds of music including metal, jazz and sometimes classical but nearly always something energetic depending on what I'm doing.
Do you do other things concerning circus?
No, I prefer to concentrate on juggling with clubs and balls so that I can improve on those areas as much as possible. Also, I wouldn't have time for anything else.
Is there anything you would like to say to all beginner jugglers?
Don't be afraid of dropping. Also, always be confident that you can do a trick and you'll eventually be able to do it.
Do you want to say something else to jugglers?
Keep juggling.

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Peter Bone

About trying to qualify 11 and flash 13 ...

Interviewed by Daan Yperman, 09-01-2004