Jump rope popular again
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

SOPHIA FISCHER/Acorn Newspapers ONE, TWO, TOUCH MY SHOE- Girls enjoy the new jump rope class at the Oak Park Community Center. The classic sidewalk sport is enjoying a comeback and has become a competitive sport.

A traditional pastime is being carried on in a modern way at the Oak Park Community Center. Fifteen little girls from first through fifth grade jumped rope around the gym on a recent afternoon as part of a new weekly class being offered by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.

The Oak Park program, taught by jump rope champions, teaches tricks, sportsmanship and endurance. The girls were learning moves with names like "skier," a side-to-side jump; "bell," a front to back jump; and "side straddle," where the feet open and close as in jumping jacks.

Among the ropes used were beaded ones- good for building arm strength- and licorice, a thin, wiry rope for faster twirling, according to Melinda Everett, program director.

"You can do it with your friends and make new friends," said Jessica Harris, an Oak Park eight-year-old who was adept at twirling two jump ropes in opposite directions at once for "double dutch."

Melissa Hoffman wanted to learn tricks as well as socialize.

"It's really fun, especially with my friends here," said 8-year-old Melissa, from Oak Park. "Double dutch is tricky but I like it."

The jump rope is enjoying a renewed popularity thanks to the Disney Channel movie "Jump In!" that premiered in January and highlighted the sport, Everett said.

In fact, Everett left her job as a mortgage broker last year to teach and coach jump rope fulltime after her classes increased from six to 23.

"I love this sport," Everett said. "It's one of the best things you can do for increasing bone density, aerobic exercise, agility, coordination and teamwork."

This jump rope is not just child's play. It's gone way beyond the neighborhood sidewalk to become a competitive event done on a local, national and international level. Although a serious sport, jump rope is not yet made it to the Olympics because not enough countries have teams, Everett said.

"There is a lot more you can do than it seems, weird funny moves that you never think possible," said Jenna Fong, the Oak Park instructor. "It's the only sport I've ever done."

Fong has been jumping since the third grade when her La Canada elementary school began a jump rope club that became a competitive team called the Palpitating Panthers.

Now 23, Fong is still on the team as a member and a coach. Everett has been jumping rope since 1992 when a team formed at her middle school.

In 1995, Everett won a gold medal for female single rope freestyle at the Junior Olympic Games, the first to include jump rope as a sport.

Everett, 28 continues to jump competitively at the national level. She also coaches her hometown team, the Coronado Speed Spinners and conducts summer camp jump rope workshops.

Fong and Everett met through the many jump rope competitions they have participated in over the years.

Jump rope is not limited to girls. Boys participate as well. Everett has some boys in her classes but in California in general, jump rope programs are primarily made up of girls. In the Midwest, jump rope teams are an even mix of boys and girls, according to Everett.

"My coach used to say all you need is a little rope and a little imagination," Everett said.

A new eight-week jump rope session will be offered at the Oak Park Community Center in January.

Call the community center at (818) 865-9304 or see www.usajumpstars.com for more information.