Rola Bola (or Bongo Board) in the most simplest of formats consists of a board and a cylinder. Place the board on the cylinder, get up on the board, and balance by rocking side to side. Do not let the board touch the floor. You know, like a one person seesaw. Easy right? You could make one in your garage. Or not.
Performers balance on one or many stacked Bola boards for all kinds of acts such as juggling, plate spinning, jump roping, strength, slack wire or acrobatics!
If you turn the cylinder so it rolls backward and forward, you are using a Transverse Rola Bola. If you stack one Rola Bola on top of another Rola Bola alternating side to side with back and forth balance, that is a Double Rola Bola and you have my highest regards.
Get a load of these world records for jugging on a Rola Bola
3 balls: 2 hours, 39 minutes, and 57 seconds by David Rush in 2021 (WHAT!)
10 balls: 10 catches by Chris Fowler in 2004
7 ball lift bounce: 189 catches by Mike Byington in 2007
8 clubs: 8 catches by Willy Colombaioni in 2018
But let's get back to the circus Rola Bola acts!
The strength routine he does in the middle of this act, OMG!
And I am just going to say, holy crap they are skateboards!
Things to remember when Rola Bola-ing (I just made up that verb)
When you fall, and you will, the board will fly one direction, right at ankle level. So be careful who is standing next to you.
Make sure the board is solid. Solid enough to hold your weight. Kinda seems like a no-brainer.
Non slip. End of sentence.
Do not use if board or cylinder is wet. That is just looking for trouble.
I have said this before and I will say it again. I cannot balance on one foot to put my shoes on. I am in awe of the balance and strength of these performers. Nicely done.
