The practical twirlers guide to spinning Fire Poi

"What is poi?"

Poi is a traditional Maori (New Zeland) custom which a ball on a rope is flung around the body. What is discussed here is fire poi, which a wick on fire is twirled in each hand. I also twirl double fire batons, fire staff, and fire fans. The same general safety percautions apply to all fire toys.

Here I am twirling poi.

Making practice poi:

How long should I make the chain?

The standard answer here is the length of your arm, once you have the poi assembled . However, you might like to experiment to see what you feel most comfortable with. For those that have been twirling longer, to achieve more advance moves (such as behind the back weave), some people find it easier to have longer chains.

How do I hold them?

Again, this is a personal prefeance. Most sets that you buy come with a double loop or single loop. Alot of twirlers who get the double loop, put the loops over their middle & ring fingers. Some use their first & middle fingers. Again, whatever you feel most comfortable with. You could also modify the set to have a wrist strap instead if you so desire.

There are several different ways to make a practice set.

First is the quick, 5 minute kid version of grabbing some rope, a few socks rolled up into balls & tying them together. Great when you hit yourself in the head a few times, but they don't stand the test of time. Some people like this & make a more permanent version, sewing a "pocket" over the socks (or filler) & even make tails. Kids really like these, they look like streamers & leave a nice trail.

The next version involves using tennis balls & chains. This is a more accurate and heavy version. These "feel" more like the fire poi. You can order the chains with handles pre-assembled from a poi supplier, or you can make your own from items at a hardware store. Get a chain that doesn't kink easily. (1/4 inch ball chain works well. If you get this, be sure to get 4 joiners also.) You'll also need 4 quick links (1/8 inch), 2 eye screws with round openings on the tops & wing nuts, and some thin strapping/webbing to make your finger or wrist loops. (For wrist loops, a dog leash works well.) Cut your chain to length, keeping in mind that the quick links will add about 2 inches to the finished poi length. Take your 2 tennis balls and draw a small x on the top of each one. Cut open the x with box cutters, making the hole as small as possible. Next take the eye screw with the wing nut attached and work it into the tennis ball. It should fit really securely inside. Sew the strapping into double loops, a single loop, or use a wrist strap. Make sure that you sew a small loop into the bottom also, or put a grommet in. Attach a quick link through this bottom loop of the strapping & then to the chain. Attach the other quick link to the bottom end of the chain & then to the eye screw. Repeat steps to make the other poi. If you like, you can also add pockets & streamers to fit over the tennis balls.

Fuel (aka "Poi Juice"):

Everywhere I have looked & everyone I have asked says something different when it comes to the type of fuel to use. As I first started doing research into what fuel works best, I found no hard & fast rules. You basically need an ignitor and fuel. You don't need much ignitor to get it started, I have found a 50-50 mix to be wasteful of the igintor. There are several options to choose from. I personally like a mix of kerosene (65%), lamp oil (25%), and lighter fluid (10%). I have used a lamp oil & lighter fluid mix before also. From the information I have found and experiences twirling, I decided to change to kerosene for the majority of the mix. "Why?", you may ask. Keep in mind that kerosene & lamp oil are essetiantial the same thing. Lamp oil is kerosene with many additives that make it less smoky & much less stinky. Well, even though kero has a much worse smell, lamp oil is much, much worse for your health. Lamp oil emits toxic fumes from the additives when you burn, so I'll put up with the worse smell for the safer fuel. (Plus it's cheaper.) Actually adding some lamp oil into the mix has made the mix smell & smoke less. I have learned that about the right amount is 25% of the mix. Other options also include Coleman's fuel.

So after practicing, when you are ready to "Light- Up" the first time:

Just how safe is it?

Well, when proper precautions are taken the risks are manageable. Not to say they don't exist, any time you have open flame you have risk. To manage the risks, here are a few suggestions:

• Wet your hair with water & tie it back so you have no loose strands
• Watch what you wear:
  • Synthetic fibers are a no-no. Stick with cotton (denim is great) & natural fibers. Better yet is leather.
  • Make sure your clothes are close fitting.
• Always have a safety person watching you carefully.
• The safety should have a wet towel (to put out the wicks when done), a fire extinguisher & a bucket of water.
• Always keep your fuel separate from your lighter & poi when you are not actually lighting them.
• Even after your wicks go out, always douse them for a few seconds in water. Don't soak them, a few seconds is long enough for the smolderings inside the wick to go out. This ensures safety if they come in contact with a flame accidentally, or when you soak them again in the fuel.

For longer wick life, I suggest that you put out your fire before it goes out on it own. Once the fuel dies off, you are burning your wick.

I should also mention the cool noise that the fire makes when you twirl it. It gets loud enough that I don't always hear conversation that is going on off stage with my safety. Make sure you have good communications, both verbal & nonverbal with your safety crew.

Just for legal issues, this information is put here for educational aspects. I can't be held responsible. Please be safe when and if you decide to light up.

Above all else, use common sense before & while you light up.