Blast Motion is a California-based company that combines performance metrics and smart video capture technology to create sport-specific 3D motion sensors. These 3D motion sensors capture real-time videos, automatically creating highlight reels that can be replayed in slow-mo with overlaid metrics. The incredible precision, shareable nature, and accessibility of this product makes it among the leaders in innovative performance improvement technology.
Technology for performance enhancement is a necessity in today’s competitive sports arena. Professional skateboarder, Greg Lutzka, is well aware of this need for constant improvement–having won the Tampa Pro three times and placing gold at the X-Games twice, Lutzka is no stranger to hard work and perfecting his technique. In an exclusive interview with Lutzka, he tells SportTechie that the Blast Action Replay device helps give him the competitive edge he needs when it comes to nailing new tricks, improving technique, and even interacting with fans.
Back in the Day
As a young teen, Lutzka was sponsored by local skate parks and skate shops in his hometown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was obvious early on that he had a knack for the sport, so he headed to Florida, where he participated in the Tampa Am. His first time at a huge competition was a bit of an eye opener, so he went home and practiced harder than ever. The following year he went back to the competition, made the finals, and found himself sponsored to compete at skate contests all over the world.
At that time, though, there wasn’t much access to technology that could help him perfect his tricks. There weren’t even YouTube videos! So, instead of technology, Lutzka relied on photo sequences in magazines and skate sessions with friends. And while he was able to succeed without technology, Lutzka notes that technology, today, really helps him improve his abilities. He also talked about how useful performance enhancing tech can be for novice skaters learning how to nail their first few tricks.
Metrics, Videos, and More
When we asked Lutzka about any tricks that would have been hard to master without the proper analytics, he responded, “Ollies. Improving your height on ollies is much easier to do when you can see your height and air time metrics.”
He discussed how seeing these metrics also drives motivation and dedication.
For instance, nailing an ollie and seeing that you got 35 inches high, just encourages you to beat your own performance; and it makes you that much happier when you see yourself get 36 or 37 inches after some practice. Not only do you get to see that progression, but you get to share it via social media.
In addition to competing with yourself, it can also be fun to have healthy competitions with your friends. The Blast Motion metrics help you set realistic, highly-specific goals for yourself, and help you reach those goals faster than you would have without this type of analysis and slow-mo video playback.
Lutzka comments excitedly on the fact that this technology is so easily-accessible as well. It’s not just stuff the pros get to use, but kids and inexperienced athletes as well. And it can also be used for so many different sports and activities. Blast Motion has products for BMX, golf, baseball, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and more, but Luztka notes how it would also be fun to try using the sensor and app when he goes snowboarding this winter.
Lutzka has worked extremely hard to get to where he is today, and the Blast Motion technology has been there to support him along a portion of that journey.
By the end, Lutzka offered some advice for aspiring skaters looking to follow in his footsteps: “A lot of kids want to go pro and be sponsored, but to do this, you’ve got to go for your dreams–they are possible. Also, as you succeed, never forget where you started. As a kid, you pick up your skateboard like it’s a toy–here I am today, 30 years-old and still looking at it that same way.”