No Pain, no gain

Rope skipping on campus

The rope skipping team demostrating group tricks. (Courtesy of the Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association)

By Ada Shum

On International ChallengeDay in 1995, the first Hong Kong rope skipping team was set up. Its members came from the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The team has been highly commended for its brilliant performances.

It laid a cornerstone for the official establishment of the Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association in 1997. It was set up as a non-profit voluntary organization.

Students from the Chinese University took up posts in the Rope Skipping Association, either on the board of directors or the executive committee.

Dr. Amy Ha Sau Ching was the organizer of the team and is now the president of the Rope Skipping Association.

Said Dr. Ha: “The team and the association are interrelated, both in terms of personnel and objectives.

“The common aim is to promote rope skipping, especially in primary and secondary schools.”

The attraction of rope skipping comes from its creativity.

Once the beginners acquire the basic skills, they can design their own skipping styles.

Leung Joe Yin, a member of the rope skipping team from the Chinese University, said everyone can enjoy the sport, despite gender or age.
Said he: “What you need is only a rope and a small space.”

Rope skipping tricks are classified into three types: single, double and group.

“Sharing the rope” is one of the typical examples of double tricks. Each skipper holds a handle and they turn the rope together.

Different types of ropes are used for different tricks.

Speed ropes are lighter and easier to control. They favor skipping tricks that require high speed.

“For advanced skippers, they can use beaded ropes that are heavier, more visible and colorful,” added he.

Most sports houses sell these ropes.

The rope skipping team has performed on many occasions to promote rope skipping.

They participated in four Rope Skipping Fun Days in 2002, co-organized by the Rope Skipping Association and the Culture and Leisure Department.

Mr. Leung said, “During these events, not only do we demonstrate the tricks, but we also invite the public to try and join in.”

The team has also performed on many occasions in universities.

For example, it was invited to perform on two occasions at the Chinese University — at the 50th anniversary celebration of Chung Chi College in 2002 and at the Thousand People Feast sponsored by Shaw College in January 2003.

Yeung Tat Man, a member of the rope skipping team, said, “We cannot launch large-scale promotional campaigns in universities due to limited resources.

“But we are trying to raise its popularity by performing on campuses.”

Besides, the rope skipping team does not have a coach.

Mr. Yeung said, however, this can be overcome.

“We can learn the skills and tricks by accessing the latest information on the Internet.

“Self-learning is possible as long as we have enough practice,” said he.

In addition, Mr. Leung said that rope skipping can easily create team spirit and cohesion among skippers.

“Rope skipping demands co-operation and communication.