History of Double Dutch (jump rope)

Double Dutch jump rope was founded by David A. Walker of New York. Its probable origins have been traced to ancient Phoenician, Egyptian and Chinese rope makers. Dutch settlers brought the game to New Amsterdam (now New York City). The English dubbed it Double Dutch.

In 1973, David A. Walker and his partner, Detective Ulysses Williams developed the street game of Double Dutch into the World Class Sport it is today. Walker and Williams revitalized the game by developing it into a competitive team sport.

The first Double Dutch tournament was held on Feb 14, 1974 with nearly 600 fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade student participating. Double Dutch has since expanded with city wide and national championships.

The American Double Dutch League was formed by David A. Walker in 1974. He resigned the ADDL in 1992 after 18 years as the organizations president. He went on to form the International Double Dutch Federation, National Double Dutch League and the Dynamic Diplomats of Double Dutch Team.

Walker's invention of the "Fusion" free-style approach for the sport of Double Dutch is the format used in the Internationally supported Double Dutch Holiday Classic and other World-Class tournaments throughout the world.

This sport not only takes talent by the jumpers themselves but also from the rope handlers as you will see it the video below. The coordination and skill of this sport is magnificent to say the least. I can only imagine how many webs I would weave in the ropes trying this. Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did.