Profile: On the Ropes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AJ Gardner is serious about skipping rope. The 29-year-old Maine native became interested in double dutch (jumping between two people swinging two ropes simultaneously, in a crisscrossing motion) in 2003, after hearing about a San Francisco women’s team. Soon after—with no previous experience in competitive sports or jump roping—the spunky brunette helped found Seattle’s only double dutch team, Onthedouble (Dutch) (myspace.com/seattledoubledutch).

 

“It started out with a few coworkers and friends jumping once a week as a way to spend time together without boys—not at a bar, not spending money, and getting exercise,” says Gardner, who lives on Capitol Hill. “We realized that there’s a lot you can do with it and got very diligent about practice.” She started studying videos posted on YouTube by other double dutch groups, and the team spent a year learning tricks such as “three g’s” and “blender,” executed amid the smack and swish of the ropes.

 

Perfecting their routines on empty tennis courts and in schoolyards, the team—whose core members also include Amy Trefsger and Vanessa Krenz—has performed at Bumbershoot, the Henry Art Gallery, birthday parties, school assemblies and Rat City Rollergirls bouts. Fun, exercise and wearing “cute outfits,” are among the draws for Gardner. (At a recent space-themed performance, the team jumped to David Bowie’s “Major Tom” whilst decked out in silver—leggings, miniskirts, gloves—and an excess of glitter.) While the outfits vary, one part of Gardner’s getup never comes off—she has the word “dutch” tattooed above both elbows.

 

Until recently Gardner had squeezed double dutch events into her work schedule, but this spring she gave notice at her nanny job and started “rope jumping” (a phrase she prefers to “jumping rope”) full time, teaching classes packed with novices young and old. This summer she’ll also lead camps from her Central District studio (northwestdoubledutch.com). While some might question the idea of making a living from a schoolyard game, Gardner calls it a “logical choice,” reiterating, “I love teaching and I love double dutch.”