Double Dutch Magazine Newsletter!!!

The Sport, double dutch, Takes Center Stage in Harlem, NY at the "World Famous" Apollo Theater
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Photo by Mike Brown

By Jen Threat

The sport of double dutch has attracted jumpers of different backgrounds. All these groups come together in Harlem, NY to celebrate their passion and skills at the National Double Dutch League's Double Dutch Holiday Classic at the Apollo Theater.

As photographer, Mike "Breezy" Brown and I stepped on the scene of the double dutch competition, the fashions varied on each team. Many hairstyles were represented from braids to perms to dreads. Teams wore gold and silver, while others wore Nike Air Force 1s, sweats and hoodies. Some showed legs with short-shorts and others simply rocked shorts and t-shirts. The music favorites for routines were of course, Beyonce's "Single Ladies," and throwback favorites like Andre 3000s "Hey Ya," and Missy's "Work It." One team gave the crowd a retro-80s flashback by playing Michael Jackson's, "Beat It." Some of the creative team names included Bit of Jazz, Stan's Pepper Steppers, Peek-A-Boo, and Bouncing Bull Dogs.

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Photo by Mike Brown

Team decked out in silver and doing flips in the ropes!

The National Double Dutch League, founded by the late, David Walker, has organized the Apollo Double Dutch Holiday Classic each year. Walker helped to spread double dutch to an international audience. David Walker's daughter, Lauren, continues his legacy. The sport of double dutch began in Harlem in the 1950s and contrary to popular belief, is still alive and well today. It has evolved from jumping between ropes to teams performing advanced techniques in the ropes like splits, flips, and dribbling basketballs. It has crossed state lines, countries and continents. The sport is now performed in the countries of Japan, Belgium, and African countries like, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Namibia. In fact, Japanese teams have won 10 of the last 12 double dutch competitions at the Apollo Theater.
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Photo by Mike Brown

Member of Japanese team, Peek-A-Boo, practices before a performance.

It was amazing to see different US regions, racial groups and genders represented (yes, boys double dutch, too.) Black. White. Asian. There were groups from the Dirty South, Midwest and East Coast. Plus, there were veteran double dutchers, who continue to perform across the world.

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Photo by Mike Brown

Veteran of double dutch, Cita Wise and Double Dutch Forces teammates, Tia Rankin and Krystal Jackson.

I spoke with Cita Wise, who began the sport at age 12. He's a member of the team, "Double Dutch Forces" of Columbia, South Carolina. Other team members include Tia Rankin and Krystal Jackson, who are veterans at age 15. They've performed double dutch for over nine years. Cita was attracted to the sport for "the girls." Later, he says, "I developed a passion for it because of the exposure to other cultures while traveling around the world." Cita Wise, who also appeared in the double dutch documentary, "Rhythm in the Ropes," believes that double dutch should be an Olympic sport. According to Wise, "Dirt bikes are there (in the Olympics), so double dutch should be there, too."
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Photo by Mike Brown

Maarten Goedem� (far right) with teammates of Belgian team, DDF.

Maarten Goedem�, of the team DDF, is from Belgium and believes double dutch is not ready for the Olympics. He explains, "There are not enough teams participating and the sport needs to be more developed. We also need to build more awareness, so there are more countries participating."

Maarten says his team does have Olympic aspirations. DDF would like to participate in the opening ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012. DDF placed 2nd in the advanced fusion (double dutch with music) of the Apollo competition. DDF is well on its way to gain international recognition.

There is a misconception that most teens are involved in negative activity. The Apollo Double Dutch Classic demonstrates that there are talented teens helping to spread love through double dutch.

Novice (Beginner) Fusion Winners
1st Place Bouncing Bull Dogs Carolina (Carborro, NC)
2nd Place Lil Bit of Jazz (Brooklyn, NY)
3rd Place The Bouncing Bull Dogs Blue (Carborro, NC)

Advanced Fusion "Best of Show" Winners
1st Place Chrom (Kanagawa, Japan)
2nd Place DDF (Denize, Belgium)
3rd Place Supica (Kanagawa, Japan)

For a full list of winners and participants, visit the National Double Dutch League's website at www.nationaldoubledutchleague.org

Special thanks to the Apollo Theater for giving Double Dutch magazine the opportunity to be press members at this exciting event!