Every physical endeavor has degrees of skill, shoulder rides are no different. A college cheerleader can likely give and receive better shoulder rides than an average person, because they’ve practiced lifting eachother overhead their whole lives.

Shoulder rides are one of the great festival activities, they allow people to be the star for a few seconds. They also push people out of their comfort zones, and show them they can express themselves and standout in a safe space.

Done poorly there’s risk of injury, done properly they’re extremely easy and can be done frequently within the group. It’s especially important to use good technique when lifting large men - and EVERYONE in the rave crew deserves a shoulder ride.

Here’s how to give and receive a shoulder ride:

Giver:

1. Ask a person on each side of you to help you up
2. stand behind the receiver
3. Go down on one knee and put your head between your legs
4. Reach the two people supporting you
5. Lift your head, straighten your back
6. Pull up on your supporters while you stand up out of a lunge
7. Tuck the receiver’s feet in the small of your back
8. Place your hands on the receiver’s knees for support
9. Keep your back straight and only move up and down, not side to side

Receiver:

1. When the giver is ready to stand, push up from the shoulders of the supporters
2. Tuck your feet behind the giver in the small of her back
3. Keep your torso static - move your arms as much as you want but not your torso
4. Enjoy the ride

The way down is simple - giver slowly descends into a lunge until receiver’s feet are on the ground, and back out.

We think the right time duration is about 1 minute for a shoulder ride - it’s plenty of time up there and doesn’t bother the people behind you too much. We also like to do a 360 turn so the receiver can take in the full crowd.

Enjoy!