Jon Gates: Yo-Yo legend

With over 40 years of teaching experience he focuses on building fundamental skills, creativity, and fun for all skill levels, Jon Gates has solidified his place as a true pioneer of yo-yoing history..

Having traveled all over the world to perform and teach in India, Japan, Belize, Mexico, Portugal, Taiwan, Hawaii, as well as all over the mainland United States, Jon Gates’ shows are fun and inspiring for young and old.

He was the director of the regional yoyo contest and club in Colorado for over fifteen years and judged many local, regional, national and world contests.

He is well known in the yoyo community as the creator of “off string” yo-yo play (commonly called 4A in the competitive scene) and an early innovator of freestyle play. Jon developed many elements of modern yoyo play most players use in every routine, practice session, or trick jam.

He was part of the most award-winning yoyo team of all time and won multiple national and world contests with both the spintop and yo-yo.  In 2020 Jon was inducted into the National Yo-yo Hall of Fame and continues to delight and inspire all who get to see him.