Try doing a handstand.

Now, try doing a handstand as double-Dutch ropes twirl around you.

And try doing that without getting tangled.

Competitive rope-skipping has been around in Canada for three decades, but it91裸聊视频檚 more often thought of as a children91裸聊视频檚 playground game than a bona fide sport.

Members of a newly formed team called the Calgary Skip Squad want to change that.

91裸聊视频淧eople say it91裸聊视频檚 not a sport and stuff, but they don91裸聊视频檛 know actually how hard it is until they actually try it,91裸聊视频� says Brooke Cornett, 13, who has been skipping for seven years.

91裸聊视频淪o I encourage them to go and join a team and try it. Then they91裸聊视频檒l know actually how hard it is. We91裸聊视频檙e going to try to get it into the Olympics.91裸聊视频�

Brooke91裸聊视频檚 teammate, 13-year-old Halle Borden adds: 91裸聊视频淚f skipping was easy it would be in the Olympics, but it91裸聊视频檚 not.91裸聊视频�

British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia have official rope-skipping associations. Solo and team competitions are held provincially, nationally and even internationally.

In some events, skippers must show they can turn the rope two or three times in one jump 91裸聊视频� a skill some athletes on the Calgary Skip Squad say was the hardest to master. Other events feature double-Dutch team relays and freestyle routines.

Brooke91裸聊视频檚 mom Amy Cornett, the president of the Calgary Skip Squad and a board member of Rope Skipping Alberta, says she wants the sport to be better known.

91裸聊视频淩ight now it91裸聊视频檚 word of mouth. We91裸聊视频檙e trying to do as many demos as we can at various sporting events, city events,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e just trying to get our name out there or at least the recognition of the sport out there.91裸聊视频�

The Skip Squad participated in the Calgary Stampede parade last month. It and other teams are often enlisted to provide entertainment at community events.

There has been a push to get the sport officially recognized by provincial and federal government agencies, which would open up funding sources.

Rope Skipping Canada chair Erin Gillespie says to that end, the organization has been working on getting a coach certification program in place, a requirement for official recognition. But it91裸聊视频檚 been slow-going for the volunteer-run organization.

91裸聊视频淩ope Skipping Canada lacks the fundamental resources to promote the sport across the country, and so we91裸聊视频檙e really relying on clubs,91裸聊视频� said Gillespie, who also coaches the Connectivity Skippers team in Leduc, Alta.

91裸聊视频淏ut the clubs also don91裸聊视频檛 really have the resources to market and promote.91裸聊视频�

On the international level, the two main rope-skipping organizations are planning to merge and concentrate their efforts on getting the sport into the Olympics, said Gillespie. The earliest she realistically sees skippers taking part in the Summer Games is 2028.

The Calgary Skip Squad has 15 competitive athletes, starting as young as 7 or 8. Head coach Carla Hill, who has been jumping rope for more than two decades, is in charge of leading the team through practices, choreographing routines and training.

91裸聊视频淲e work really hard as athletes and we train really hard and I think a lot of people who try rope skipping for the first time don91裸聊视频檛 realize how challenging it is and how much of a workout it is,91裸聊视频� says Hill.

The club is open to anyone who wants to learn. Lessons start in September.

Many of the kids on the team were enticed to join when they saw older siblings take part.

91裸聊视频淚 saw my sister do it and was really interested and fascinated how much you can do with just a rope,91裸聊视频� says Lily Beaudreau, 9.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a unique sport and once you get into it, you find it very interesting and fun.91裸聊视频�

Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press

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