Lodi yo-yo man goes for record: 2,500 people spinning

Steve Speegle swings around a pair of yo-yos Monday afternoon at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi. Speegle has set up a yo-yo display at The Square with memorabilia and dozens of yo-yos. Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Lodi yo-yo man goes for record: 2,500 people spinning

By Natalie Flynn
Special to the News-Sentinel

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 7:01 AM PDT

Comments (1 comment(s))

Tongue out, eyes focused and hands flying, Lodian Steve Speegle flips yo-yos with speed and dexterity. And, next month, he hopes more than 2,500 people will join him.

Speegle is hoping to break the world record for the most people using yo-yos at one time. The event will be held at Hutchins Street Square on July 13.

"I hopefully will be getting (participants) excited about the yo-yo and simply bring it back to California," Speegle said.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature family events such as balloon animals, yo-yo demonstrations and gymnastics by students at Impact Sports Center in Stockton.

Speegle hopes to emphasize group, business and corporate competitions. Winning will be based on the most unique tricks and all ages can compete.

"You can enter if you're three or 103," Speegle said. "It is all audience judged too."

Meagan Uriarte, owner of Impact Sports Center, said the event will be family oriented and people can come have a day of fun.

Steve Speegle's top tricks

Steve Speegle has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, but he has a few favorites for people not in the competitive yo-yo business. The following are a few most observers ask for:

The Texas star: The string forms a star shape between the thrower's hands.

The Confederate flag: The string forms a confederate flag symbol between the thrower's hands.

The Bow tie: Two string triangles between the thrower's hands and a spinning yo-yo below.

Walk the dog: Pulling the spinning yo-yo and the string along the thrower's side.

Rock the baby on a trapeze: This involves creating a "baby swing" with the yo-yo string and then rocking the yo-yo between the thrower's hands.

Milking the cow: This unique trick involves two spinning yo-yos being pulled toward the ground at the same time.

Riding the horse: This involves the thrower spinning yo-yos and lifting them in a galloping motion.

"People can come and be involved in something that is unique and different," Uriarte said.

Speegle, a self-described yo-yo historian, started collecting yo-yos in 1993 when he was named the California State Yo-yo champion. He said everyone who wants to can be a yo-yo expert.

"If you can do any tricks, you are great," Speegle said. "You're a professional wherever you go."

When Speegle first started collecting yo-yos, he said he wanted to open a museum someday. Today, he is one step closer because many of his yo-yos are now on display at Hutchins Street Square.

The display, kept in the auditorium hallway, includes a $400 MG yo-yo, a 1934 Duncan tin rainbow yo-yo, and an "Anti-yo", a metallic butterfly yo-yo originally designed in the Lodi area.

Based on Speegle's research, he said he believes the world record for the most people throwing yo-yos is 935. However, in January, a group of 2,100 in Miami set a new standard.

Now, Speegle is shooting high, 2,500 people with mini yo-yos. He said he hopes the event helps people see a deeper meaning in the yo-yo.

"It's kind of representative of life," Speegle said. "As long as you stay connected and keep on spinning, you can always get back up."

Contact Natalie Flynn at natalief@lodinews.com

Reader Feedback

papercut wrote on Jun 17, 2008 8:22 AM:

" Lookin good, Steve. Was wondering when you'd be back again with your yoyo magic. You're good, the best. Looking forward to your display and world record attempt. Nice to see you back again. "

Report Abuse

Comments on this story are now closed.

Archives

Story Tools

Indexes