12/21/2004 10:31:00 PM 
video and story from discovery canada
video from flybar's website
The project is the result of a unique collaboration between skater Andy McDonald and physicist Bruce Middelton. McDonald now a world-class skateboarder, had been a pogo stick fan as a kid and Middelton, an ex-fork lift driver, turned inventor.
mcdonald's perspective on the early days of flybar's development
The pair took the project to the world's largest pogo stick manufacturer, SBI, who had the foresight to hire them and within a year, produce the Flybar.
Flybar has a significant advantage with McDonald providing brand credibility, but there is clearly some way to go to get the Flybar into the X-Games. McDonald will need to get his pro skate buddies onto the stick, demonstrating to kids what it can do. Beyond the athletes, getting the support of a shoe manufacturer and making a cool DVD could help promote the brand to young teen males.
SBI should be aware that stunt pogo already appears to be a fledgling sport. It recently held its first competition, Pogopalooza, at East Lincoln Christian Church that attracted 6 competitors from around the country. The event was the brainchild of 14 year-old Dan Brown who has become something of an evangelist for the new sport he picked up when "bored".
more details on stunt pogo
The Flybar is selling. Currently its the no3 bestseller in Amazon's sports and outdoors department, just behind the Boston Red Sox 2004 World Series large glass christmas ornament and a premium set of playing cards and poker chips.
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