About Me
The SAWA is a family-friendly organization that was founded in 2005 by a group of whip artists and whip makers as a means to actively promote the whip arts, provide professional credentials for working whip performers and instructors, dispell popularly existing myths about whips, and provide a forum for whip professionals.
The SAWA is not a 'hobbyist' organization but instead a professional organization designed to educate and support working whip artists.
At the SAWA's official website , www.whipsociety.com, there is information about the history, construction, evolution, and use of the whip, as well as information on how to evaluate quality whips and where to buy them.
You will also find information on the SAWA itself, it's members, why we do what we do, and how you can join as well and get started in the world of supersonic performance and exercise.
NOTE: Those adding SAWA's MySpace page to their friends list are in no way endorsed by the SAWA or its Advisory Board. Professional whip artists wishing to be registered and certified as such by the SAWA must apply. They can do so by visiting the website and requesting an application packet. http://www.whipsociety.com
Get great SAWA Merch at CafePress!
http://www.cafepress.com/whipsocietyThe modern whip is an incredibly versatile, beautiful and simple tool that represents over 3000 years of design and development. It's snake-like flow and loud response makes it a beautiful and dramatic tool for theatre and performance, and it's speed, accuracy, and explosive force make it a versatile, and highly underused martial arts weapon.
Up until the 1950's, the whip was most often associated with cowboys, and was a staple tool for the Wild West Performer in the travelling shows, circuses, and action serials from companies like Republic Pictures.
Heroes such as Lash Larue, Zorro, Linda Sterling, and others thrilled audiences, and young children longed to develop their own whip skills.
The 1960s began the post-modern movement, and the re-imagining of the whip in the modern psyche began. The cowboy action movie began to decline, and the whip began to be associated with the Adult Entertainment Industry.
Today, professional whip artists may find themselves in an awkward situation. Unlike martial artists, stunt people, musicians, actors and other performers, there is not professional affiliation or rank that they can hold that will add legitimacy to their skills. For martial artists, stunt people, and actors, there are ranking systems, skill achievement certifications, and other means to ensure that these performers are competent professionals. Those rare organizations that do exist for whip performers do not differentiate between the hobbyists and the professionals who work tirelessly to develop their skills and their performance abilities. They are lumped together with the occasional hobbyists, who might consider themselves "professional performers." Much damage can be done to the reputation of a professional if he uses these same lay affiliations as the "hobbyist performer."** The SAWA wishes to address this problem.
The goals of the SAWA are threefold:
To provide a professional, family-friendly organization that supports and promotes a separate image of the bullwhip to the public.
To support the professional performer and craftsman through developing a series of certification processes to add to the professional legitimacy, and also
To preserve the historical legacy of the whip arts.
Notice: SAWA, Society of American Whip Artistry and all related logos, texts, photos, or other media are trademarks of GLD Enterprises & Productions. The SAWA logo and credential is granted based on performance testing and review by the Advisory Board of the SAWA.
