Photo by D. Bell
Yesterday Double Dutchers came to the Apollo to celebrate the 17th Annual Double Dutch Holiday Classic. This year’s Classic was dedicated to the memory of David Walker, the founder of the national sport as we know it today. Walker, who not only founded the Double Dutch Classic but also the Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic, passed away this summer at the age of 66.
The game of Double Dutch is an East Coast phenomena that was carried across the Atlantic by the Dutch who founded New Amsterdam, which later became New York.
Double Dutch was known as a street game played in urban areas until Mr. Walker took it to new heights in 1973. He catapulted the game from being simply a street game to a competitive sport. By the following year he was hosting the first Double Dutch tournament, and as they say the rest is history.
Double Dutch is now an international competitive sport that attracts teams from France, Belgium, and Japan. The Japenese have jumped head first into the sport and have excelled in it for the past few years. There is now a push to enter the competition into the 2012 Olympic games.
For more information, visit the National Double Dutch League.
Related: www.doubletimethemovie.com, www.dothedoubledutch.com
narmer
December 8, 2008
I thought it was mentioned at the close of this years games.
D. Bell
December 8, 2008
JB, we must have been there around the the same time. I added a couple other shots to the bottom of the post.
Narmer, has that been confirmed? I know there was a push for it over the summer.
narmer
December 8, 2008
On Sunday, the 7th a Documentary titled “JUMP” about the participants in the 2005 National Jump rope Competition and the 2005 World Competition held in Canada was shown on Cable TV . In the Documentary there was an interview with Mr. Walker and his partner.
Mr Walker’s wish will come true with the next Summer Olympics Games when Double Dutch will become an Olympic event.
jb
December 8, 2008
I happened to be just by there yesterday to see Barkley Hendricks at Studio Museum and happened up the crowds but as I didn’t bring my camera, I passed. I used to double dutch something serious in Seattle. Maybe next year.