Bullwhips by the Bay is a twice-monthly peer workshop for those enthusiastic about whips and whip throwing.  Until another indoor location is found, it will be held in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, not far from the Polo Field.  (Rain the day of the workshop cancels...)
 

What this workshop is:

Bullwhips by the Bay is intended for those interested in any of the various kinds and uses of whips.  The model being used is called a "peer workshop" since the format will not be that of a formal class.  In a formal class, an instructor has the responsibility to teach specific lessons, and to furnish teaching materials, like whips.  As a peer workshop, there is no guarantee any teaching will be done, besides peers helping other peers with their practice and sharing of knowlege of technique.  All that's guaranteed at any one session is access to space.  Teaching or borrowing whips for those seeking such, may or may not occur, depending on the makeup of any particular evening.

It's intended as a place to be able to come together and safely learn and use skills in wielding the various kinds of plaited leather whips (sometimes referred to as singletails; signal whips; snake whips; black snakes; stock whips; bullwhips, and cowwhips).  All forms of whippery encouraged, but no one style will be emphasized.
 
 

When does Bullwhips by the Bay happen?:

Bullwhips by the Bay will be on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, 11:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m, location below.  Once in a long while there might be some sort of personal emergency requiring cancellation, so it's always a good idea to contact Grizzly in advance, to ensure the class is occuring.  *All cancellations* (for reasons other than rain -- rain being self-evident all by itself) will be posted immediately on via certain online groups, and sent out via the "sfwhips" Yahoo email list.  And it's a VERY good idea to send Grizzly your direct email address to be added on to the Yahoo group for last-minute notifications.

Golden Gate Park outdoor classes *will* be cancelled should any amount of rain fall that morning, from midnight on.  If you'd like information on weather the day of the event, try checking here.
 
 

What's available for novices:

Ideally, each person attending has his or her own equipment, including whips.  On t'other hand, quite often, someone is interested in whips, but hasn't yet made enough of a commitment to purchase a whip.  Usually veteran whip wielders attending will be willing to lend out a whip.  Quite likely although not an absolute guarantee.

I do have two loaner whips for newbies who have no personal whips, due to the generosity of ArcAngel Leather and Steel, although all are encouraged to buy their own.  Spare protective goggles are also available to lend out during classes.
 
 
 

What are the rules?

Right now, we'll be outdoors, so no fees or rules will pertain.  Once another indoor location is found, that might change.
 

While there are no rules, some guidelines might be considered as your option.

*Protective eye wear isn't a bad idea while throwing whips.  (And a good idea any time in a space where whips are being thrown.)

*While not mandatory, protective gear in addition to eye cover is a good idea.  Earplugs for supersonic cracking; wide-brimmed hats for erratic whip ends; long-sleeved jackets, all can make one's experience more comfortable in the long run...

*Targets might be provided from time to time, but we'd like to avoid impact on sentient beings.

*If so many appear that space is at a premium, some space management decisions will be made by Grizzly.

*Please don't ever pick up someone's whips or gear without being given specific permission to do so.

*If not actively throwing whips, please stay conscious of the fact that whips are whirring around you,.  Idle chattery with those throwing whips (despite the bad example Grizzly will undoubtedly be portraying) isn't the best idea, unless you like being slapped with rogue distracted throws...

*This is intended really as a workshop for adults.  If you are under 18, please first contact Grizzly (events@laughingbear.org) to discuss whether your attendance might be a good fit for the workshop.
 
 
 

How do I get on the email list?

Email Grizzly directly at:   events@laughingbear.org
 
 

Where do I go for Bullwhips by the Bay?

While the weather is good, we'll be at a location in Golden Gate Park, a bit east and south of the Polo Field.

I have two maps for your viewing pleasure.  The first is hand-crafted.  It shows where occasional road blockage occurs, and the easiest routes into the park to the area we'll be using from either north or south.  The map zooms in or out. Click here for map...

Or, go to a more official map of Golden Gate Park.  (Clicking on the map enlarges it.)  In the middle, and the western third of the map, find the Polo Field, one of the three big lozenge shaped items in the park.  Right under it, you'll find a road entitled Middle Drive West.  Where we'll be whipping will be about where the "DD" in "MIDDLE" is on the words "MIDDLE DRIVE WEST" on this map, directly across the street from Metson Lake

If you've got one of those new, sparkly GPS units in your vehicle, you can try finding us via the coordinates:

N 37 degrees 46.048'
W 122 degrees 29.371'.
 
 

What should I buy if I want a whip?

First, you have to decide if you're serious about learning to throw whips.  If you are, it's worth investing money for a quality whip and time to slowly break it in.  If you're not sure, it may not be worth your money and time investment.

If you decide it's worth the investment for a high-end custom whip, in my opinion you can't do better than to buy whips from Mike Murphy in Australia.  I think he makes the best whips available anywhere, and has competitive prices.  His custom whips are both responsive and gorgeous.  And his economy line of whips are often better than most U.S. whip makers' best custom whips.  His economy whips are among the least expensive around, and vastly superior quality to the only other cheaper whips I've found.

There's also a very interesting inexpensive whip option I've recently discovered.  While your interest in whips may easily not be in the smaller varieties, if you do like short whips, ArcAngel Leather and Steel has the least expensive small signal whips I've yet seen.  They have kangaroo signal whips (shot bag, leather core, 8 plait belly, 12 plait outer belly) around 31 inches, for around $50.  They also have a variety of other whips.

But of course any leather whip you buy takes considerable breaking in.  The better the whip, the more layers (bellies and bolsters) it will have, and the more tightly they'll be plaited.  The thicker and tighter a whip, the more time it will take to break in and become an extension of your hand.

If you're looking for the least expensive longer whip you can find, and very little breaking in time invested, buying a nylon whip made from paracord is your best choice.
 

Type and length is harder to suggest.  If your only interest is what some term "indoor" play, then a signal whip, of no more than a four foot length, is probably your best choice.  For performance art, the most common lengths I've seen used seem to be six to eight foot whips, usually either American style bullwhips or Australian stock whips.  I'm beginning to think the best first whip for someone serious about learning all styles, might be a six foot bullwhip, to cover most bases.  But having long conversations with veteran whip users and whip makers, should they be willing to spend the time with you on the phone, will give you a better idea of what fits your personal needs best.  In my own case, I have a three foot signal whip, a four foot signal whip (by Mike Murphy), 2 four foot snake whips (from Mike Murphy), a 5'4" American style bullwhip (by Peter Jack), a seven foot Australian stock whip, and an eight foot American style bullwhip (from Mike Murphy).  Plus a half a dozen other small special purpose whips.
 
 
 
 

Upcoming Whip Peer Workshop Dates (second & fourth Sundays of each month)
 
 

February 2010:

Sunday, February 14
Sunday, February 28
 

March 2010:

Sunday, March 14
Sunday, March 28
 

April 2010:

Sunday, April 11
Sunday, April 25
 

May 2010:

Sunday, May 9
Sunday, May 23
 

June 2010:

Sunday, June 13
Sunday, June 27
 

July 2010:

Sunday, July 11
Sunday, July 25
 

August 2010:

Sunday, August 8
Sunday, August 22
 

September 2010:

Sunday, September 12
Sunday, September 26
 

October 2010:

Sunday, October 10
Sunday, October 24
 

November 2010:

Sunday, November 14
Sunday, November 28
 

December 2010:

Sunday, December 12
Sunday, December 26
 

January 2011:

Sunday, January 9
Sunday, January 23
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Whipping Rules of the Road at Whip Peer Workshops
(thanks to Andrew John Conway for plagarizing his script, below...)

Bullwhip Workshop Safety

Bullwhips can cut flesh, break bones, put out an eye, or slice off an ear. Treat them with respect and use these common sense safety precautions to limit damage to the occasional welt.
Protect Other People
 • Be aware of the space all around you, including directly behind you and over your head. Allow plenty of room for your whip to crack.
 • Do not fool around with a whip or threaten anyone with it. Uncontrolled and unscripted use of a whip can have unpredictable results.
 • Never use a whip where it might pick up dirt or gravel and fling it at someone.
Protect Yourself
 • Wear protective clothing. Eye protection is required. Gloves will prevent blisters on your hands. Ear plugs will make the sound level more comfortable. A stout jacket and pants may save you some welts.
 • When you are not cracking, stay near the walls of the gym. Do not enter anyone else's space without warning them. Remember they may be wearing ear plugs so make sure they acknowledge you.
Protect the Whips
 • Do not crack the whip too loud. It is bad for the whip and unpleasant for other people. True control of the whip means you can crack it as quietly as you like.
 • Do not use anyone else's whip without permission.
 • When you are not using the whip, do not leave it on the floor where someone might tread on it or trip over it.