The Torch

Issue date: 6/4/09 Section: Features

Aaron Orton shows off his footbag skills outside of Building 5. An accomplished athlete, Orton has participated in the U.S. Open Footbag Championships. Photos by JB BOTWINICK/The Torch

LCC student Aaron Orton is studying to become a personal trainer. At first glance, looking at a muscular man who stands 5'11" some might be surprised to find out he is a professional footbag player, and has been playing for the past six years.

Orton will graduate from LCC this summer and plans to pursue a career as a personal trainer.

"I'm really good at conveying the message on what people should be doing," Orton said.

Orton explained that his mother was a body builder, and he believes being a personal trainer would be more fun than "work."

Aaron, 23, started kicking a footbag around six years ago and hasn't put it down since.

"I enjoy it so I keep doing it," Orton said.

Orton expressed a passion for the art of footbag, explaining that even though there are rules to the game, there are no guidelines. The game offers individuals the chance to get creative, to be inventors.

Orton listed off a couple rules, starting with the first rule: respect.

He explained that when tossing the bag to another player it should be an underhand toss, and when the bag is dropped, it needs to be picked up instead of kicked.

Orton emphasized the focus on giving others props and encouragement, and keeping the bag going in one direction either clockwise or counterclockwise, as long as players don't switch it up.

Footbag is not just a sport to compete against others but a way to compete against oneself, Orton said.

Orton explained that footbag is more than just a hobby or sport; it's a mastery, a presentation and a performance.

Orton's biggest footbag influences are Richard Abshire - "the best stitcher in the world," Orton said - and any pioneer before him who invented the sport.

He's found footbag a way to impress himself, his friends and his family, while also others who might be watching.

Orton said he once got paid by a yo-yo company in San Diego, Calif. to show off his footbag skills for kids. He's also performed at a baseball game in front of over 60,000 people in San Diego.

He owns over 45 footbags, most of which are retired due to rips and holes.

With school and work, Orton practices footbag around four hours each week. If he's preparing for a competition, he practices for approximately 10 hours a week.

Orton also practices with a few friends from Portland, Ore.

He once kicked a footbag 2,000 times without dropping it. Orton reported that was his personal best.

Orton participates in the U.S. Open Footbag Championships, held in Portland, Ore., but is not sure if he will be participating this July.

The U.S. Open tournaments have a variety of competitions ranging from best trick to the number of times one can kick the bag.

The U.S. Open is a two-day event that usually lasts seven hours. Winners take home awards ranging from trophies to cash prizes up to $10,000.

Orton won for the best trick in the 2007 U.S. Open competition in Portland, Ore. He calls the winning trick the "gyro food processor," which he explained is a seven add trick. Each move is an add with a stall being one add and a double stall being two adds, Orton said.

Christine Toftdahl is a Portland resident who footbags with Orton. She said she's really impressed with Orton's skills.

Orton recommends footbag for anyone looking for a hobby, a game or exercise. He suggests practicing the kicking technique first and researching harder techniques later.

Orton likes to bag with adidas shoes named after tennis player Rod Laver.

He also uses a 32-panel Landis bag and explained that a footbag is usually named after the person that stitched the foot bag.

Unlike regular hacky sacks, the 32 panel bag is heavier and is packed with tungsten gun pellets, Orton said.

Orton can be found at the Eugene Saturday Market kicking a footbag around with some of his friends. He encourages people to join.

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