Summer Scenes

Ingela Ringbjer

Editor’s Note: School’s out, the weather’s warm and that means

summer sports are back in season. Each week through Labor Day, we’ll

feature one of the many ways that people are having fun under the

Southern California sun.

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- With trick names like brain twister, atomic bomb, hop

the fence and shoot the moon, it’s no wonder yo-yoing has made a big

impression on youngsters.

On Saturdays and many weekday afternoons, the yo-yo crowd -- most of them

kids between 10 and 15 years old -- gather at the pier to practice, learn

new moves and commune with others who enjoy the pastime.

“Right now I’m just doing it for fun,” Will Hubner, 15, said.

The teen said he became hooked on the spinning spool after seeing Gordi

Morey demonstrating tricks outside the pier-side Kite Connection, which

boasts the biggest yo-yo selection in the county.

“I bought a yo-yo and he taught me tricks,” Will said. “It was fun.”

Morey, a five-year veteran yo-yoer, says watching Tommy Smothers inspired

him to try tricks. When he was good enough, he started doing

demonstrations at the pier and last year he began offering free weekly

classes through the Kite Connection, where he works.

Morey, 29, also coaches the Surf City Spinners, a team of his students,

which leaves today for Hawaii to compete in the yo-yo world

championships.

Despite the growth of organized contests, Morey said he doesn’t like to

think of yo-yoing as a sport.

“It’s more of a way to express yourself,” he said.

But like many sports, players can injure themselves.

Many of the players said learning the wild tricks can sometimes lead to

an occasional black eye, bruises and blisters.

“Nothing really serious,” said Will, who is also a member of the yo-yo

team.

Some of the tricks can be pretty difficult to learn, said his teammate,

15-year-old John-Michael McNulty.

“When you can’t land it, then you get real frustrated,” he said.

Katherine Lauer, one of the few girls on the team, said she can’t imagine

getting tired of her yo-yo.

“There’s always yo-yo stuff you haven’t learned, something new someone

can teach you about,” she said.

Morey said while he’s seen hundreds of kids trying to learn the yo-yo, it

isn’t just for youngsters.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are, everyone can do it,” he said.