“One thing I often get carried away with is piggyback rides.” – Jarod Kintz
These are wise words that seem to have fallen short on the average college students. Remember the joy we all used to have when a pal of ours would hoist us up on their back on the playground. What happened to that? What happened to the age old American Dream of getting somewhere at the expense of somebody else’s hard work?
It’s time for us to bring piggyback rides back. Michael Sztanski of AEPi would love to see the trend come back.
“If I were able to get a piggyback ride to class everyday my world would be changed. The two things I miss about my childhood are gushers and piggyback rides,” Sztanski said.
There is no better feeling then getting a piggyback ride, and frankly giving a piggyback ride isn’t bad either. Seeing the pure joy somebody gets after you give them a lift is almost indescribable. Giving piggyback rides seems to have given Alec Blivas of Theta Chi a true purpose in life.
“When I see the impact I can have on somebody's life by simply bending my knees and putting my back on the line, I begin to tear up. Makes you realize it’s the little things in life that make all the difference," said Blivas.
Since it’s been a while for a lot of us, I thought we could all use a brush up on the proper form for a perfect piggyback ride.
According to Wikihow, the formula goes like this, “Stand straight with arms hung lose on either side of your body, open arms slightly to allow room for riders legs, bend knees slightly. This is an important step to avoid back injury and elaborate jump ups. Rider to approach from behind. Drop knees to allow rider to place strongest arm around your neck. Rider should place strongest arm around shoulder bone, using your shoulders to support weight, rider should place other arm over strong arm to secure hold around shoulder bones. Do not take weight off the rider yet. Once arms are secure, bend knees slightly reaching straight back with arms. As you reach down, instruct rider to gently take their weight with arms and bend their knees towards hands. With your knees still bent, maintain a straight back and pull arms underneath riders legs to join your hands. Securely join your hands, ideally with an interlocking finger lock.” (wikihow.com)
"Don’t worry. You’re almost there: slowly raise the rider by straightening knees. Keep a straight back, and finally to engage a longer lasting and more comfortable piggyback, adjust your arms to bring your elbows as close to your hips as possible. Ideally this will transfer the weight from your arms into your hips." (wikihow.com)
Now that you know the proper technique, you have got to take it for a spin as soon as possible. Why not? Not only is offering one up the best icebreaker, but it could also make somebody's day, and maybe, if you’re lucky, they will return the favor.
