Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the name "Spinning Bees" come from?
"Bee" is what we like to call the plastic toy we play with. It's short for Frisbee, a registered trademark, and since we use the Wham-O frisbee, we wanted to simplify the issue. Many players refer to the "Bee" as a "flying disc" or "golf disc" or "Ultimate disc" and we feel that could lead to confusion with the "discs" of the computer and music world — or your spinal column.

As for "Spinning" — that's how we work our magic. The greater the rotational spin or "zees" around the axis of our extended fingernail, the more control we have. We can change point of contact with the "Bee" from its centre to its rim in order to change the angle of rotation. We can even increase the "zees" in the middle of a combination of moves by "brushing" with hands or feet. (There is quite a difference between an "airbrush" and a "psycho-bash.")

What was your training like?
It took Brian and Gary years and years of dedication and commitment to become World Champions. Gary: My discipline and perseverance to become the best freestyler I could be really helped me throughout high school. I always did my homework early so I could practice until it was too dark. Through the winter I'd practice in gymnasiums at lunch, after school, and even on weekends. I could and often did practice alone...sometimes in dance studios or on wrestling mats.

Being my own coach I developed the self-discipline needed to excel. I used to take aerobic classes before practicing (when I was young) or play some basketball to get a full warm-up. Sometimes I'd work on familiar moves and without even trying I'd catch it somewhere new...always I invented a new move of the day! It takes about 15-20 minutes of "jamming" to really get the mind and muscles loose to freestyle. A "jam session" can go all day with short breaks or less than an hour can be sufficient.

I always had time for part-time jobs and part and full-time girlfriends. In fact my first pair of legwarmers ( a vital part of fashionable jammers of the early '80s!) were knit by a young woman who had to share me with my frisbee. I added to my own fashion statement by designing frisbees and T-shirts.

I used to do professional frisbee shows at company picnics, amusement parks, university and college games and activity days, and tour across Canada to select competitors for the World Junior Championships.

How did you get into dance?
In 1984, at 17, I was finishing high school and going to my first big tournament--the Mazda U.S. Open in La Mirada, California. I really wanted to make an impression so I started to take some dance classes--spin faster, legs higher, etc. As with freestyle, I loved the movement. I soon realized how much there was to learn and became fascinated thinking of how to bring my frisbee into the dance studio and my ballet technique into my freestyle. In the next 6 years of dancing I never met another who began in order to be a better frisbee player. As I took my dance career more seriously, I left my frisbees hanging on my walls in New York, Germany, Connecticut, and Venezuela.

At the peak of my dancing career I was enlightened! I can quit now! I know where this path leads! Not for me! That frisbee that I threw way out of my life came soaring back in a big, new way. Instead of returning to freestyle, I took up the game of Ultimate Frisbee. Wow! It wasn't like I remembered. So, I had to learn from scratch and since I missed 5 years not playing, I committed the next 5 to playing!

When did you begin playing Ultimate?
My Ultimate career began in South America. Was I ever thrilled to find a whole gang of friends playing a version of the game I knew. We dreamed of going to the World Championships being held in Toronto in July, 1991. That dream came true with 17 players representing Venezuela--the first team ever from Latin America. I always tell the story of how I picked them up at the airport with 3 limos---and they all stayed at my house! Well, the "Yanomami" made many friends, won one game, and gave new meaning to the "Spirit of the Game" award.

Although I returned to Canada and played Ultimate in Toronto, I played in the World Championships again in 1993 for Yanomami Sur — we won two games and shared "Spirit of the Game" with Yanomami Norte and Budare — combo team from Colombia and Costa Rica. In 1995, we went to the World Championships in England. Though I didn't have limos waiting for them, it was a good thing I met my teammates at the airport. They thought the tournament was 3 hours north of London instead of 3 hours west. Once again the Venezuelans impressed the world with their fast and spirited play. Next year’s World Championships in Sweden will feature the best Yanomami team ever.

When did you return to Freestyle?
I never thought I would return to Freestyle competition after playing so much Ultimate. I rarely found any jammers to play with. However, in June of ‘95 I did a tour of Public Libraries around Madison ,Wisconsin. I heard about the F.P.A. tournament while in Colorado playing Ultimate. It seemed like a nice idea and would fit in perfectly with the Storytelling plans. On my way to England for the W.U.C.C., I came to Toronto and called Brian to see if he’d be interested in competing again.

"When was the last you played?" he asked.
"Ten years ago. But we have time!" I assured.
"Are you staying in town? We have to practice together."
"Look, I’ll be back two weeks before the tournament and I’ll work on my game while I’m in England."
"That’s not much time ...but it’s better than nothing." Brian said." Are you sure it’s the World’s?"
"No."

I went to England for 3 weeks, met 3 freestylers, and played 3 days. Was that enough? Back in Toronto we crammed as much practice in as we could, sometimes playing twice a day and in some very stormy weather. With the aid of a video camera and a creative camera-man we were able to see how we were playing. Our routine became an example of "sports choreography," as we experimented with new ideas. We were going to change the game!

During an early morning walk on the Boardwalk, I bumped into Fred Koops, a high-school friend and owner of OVERKILL. Fred was amazed that I was still competing and agreed to outfit the Canadian Freestyle team.

What is doubles like?
Looking good and playing better Brian and I surprised a lot of players with our unique double-play and absolute confidence. It was a big enough thrill to be around so many players. We won our semi-final pool and were due to play last in the finals. Talk about pressure — all the other finalists are watching from the stands.

We start with the music and the 4 minutes seem like 2! It’s over before you know it. At one point during our routine I realized that we had no drops — I then dropped one. Each team played near to perfect and the announcement of the final results was intense. When the tournament director congratulated "The International Connection," Brian came over as if to say," That’s respectable!" But it was another international team. The countdown continued . . . slowly . . . 4th place . . . 3rd place . . ." And definitely a big surprise — in 2nd place . . . " Somebody else’s names were announced and players rushed towards us to share our moment of glory.

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