DWARF TOSSED
More than 1,000 people showed up to watch a dwarf tossing competition at a local strip club.
A local dwarf dressed in a baby costume was repeatedly catapulted through the air as hundreds cheered on loudly Saturday night.
Both locals and out-of-towners took part in the dwarf tossing competition at Leopard’s Lounge & Broil, a strip club in Windsor’s west end. This was the second time in a decade the club hosted the event that has drawn international controversy. Hundreds signed up to participate.
“We look for different forms of entertainment that will get the interest of our customers and to make things different,” said Leopard’s general manager Barry Maroon. “There’s no harm or foul here. This (dwarf) is a business guy that’s set up his own little business.”
In pairs, participants took hold of a harness that was attached to the dwarf and threw him as far as they could. The club was packed to capacity and it was standing room only as the boisterous crowd laughed, clapped, and applauded as the four-foot-eight man was chucked across the stage. Five air mattresses were laid out to ensure a safe landing.
More than 1,000 people attended the event, Maroon said Sunday. The winning pair sent the dwarf flying 16 feet.
The dwarf, a Windsor resident whose stage name is Tripod, refused an interview and was not interested in disclosing any details of his life.
Although there has been a lot of negative feedback about the competition, with critics citing issues of human rights and dignity, Maroon said he sees nothing wrong with the event.
“This is an athletic guy that’s an entertainer that has been doing this for a while that approached us,” Maroon said. “It’s not like we went behind a liquor store and offered some bum $20 to come and fight on stage.”
In 2003, Windsor West MPP Sandra Pupatello attempted, but failed, to pass the Act to Ban Dwarf Tossing that would have banned these sorts of competitions in Ontario.
Maroon said politicians should focus on more important issues.
“They may want to look at the real issues that are in our province and try to fix some of them before they try to delve into this guy’s personal business that he’s created for himself,” Maroon said. “I think this fella is entitled to earn his living the way he sees fit for himself.”
A man who gave his name as John C. from Belle River attended the first dwarf toss at Leopard’s. He took part in the competition then — hurling the man eight feet — and was back this year for more.
“If someone wanted to toss me, I would let them,” said John, adding he weighs 300 pounds. He said although people are objecting to the ethics of dwarf tossing, “this is nothing compared to what happens in Vegas.”
Kingsville resident Fred Vigneaux and his wife Laurie grabbed hold of the bonnet-wearing, bottle-bearing dwarf and tossed him nearly six feet. They said they enjoyed themselves and would attend another dwarf toss in the future.
“It’s something he doesn’t mind doing and it’s all in good fun,” said Fred. “But I was surprised at how heavy he was.”
Richard Mckenzie, 24, crossed the border from Ann Arbor, Mich., along with four friends. He said he wishes he was a little person so he could be the one being tossed around.
“I can’t believe he actually gets paid. I would do it for free,” Mckenzie said. “It looks like so much fun.”
A 32-year-old stripper, who only wanted to be referred to by her stage name, Kahlua, said she was excited about the event and said it was similar to her job.
“He’s using his body and what he’s been gifted with by God to use it as a stage show. Same thing here,” Kahlua said. “I use my legs and my looks and I wear makeup that I wouldn’t walk down the street wearing and I shake what I’ve got and I make money for it. And I’m proud of that.”
Brad Kalbefleisch is a Windsor resident who also attended the event at Leopard’s nearly a decade ago. He said nine years ago he had to leave the spectacle because he felt offended and was only attending again because friends strongly urged him to.
“It just didn’t seem like he was enjoying it back then. I was getting a bad vibe from the whole situation,” Kalbefleisch said. “But I mean, especially in this economy, if you’re getting paid to do something, do it. But try to do something that you’re happy doing.”