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Kepsmtu l 1.9 Competitivescene awaits area’s jump rope team_ g, CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Shelby DesRoches negotiates the rope with equal parts agility and creativity. Twists and flips come in rapid succession â€" accompanied by catchy tunes and a captive audience. No, this isn't your traditional fitness routine. "It’s so fun that you don't clue in to the fact . that it’s a workout,” said the 18-year-old rural ‘ Miltonian. 'Fitness is kind of the hidden as- pect of it.” The middle daughter in a family of super skippers, Shelby's ready to help mom Isabel â€" owner/operator of the locally-run Jump, Dance, Fit Academy (JDFA) â€" take her jump rope team into the competitive realm. ”We've been touring for years, but I feel now’s the time for the team to be more than that,” said the elder DesRoches, who left the cor- porate world years ago to start up her own muIti-faceted fitness school that includes a jump rope program (with recreational and competitive levels), dance classes, yoga and Glee voice lessons run out of Campbellville’s St. George’s Anglican Church.'l like to think of it as what’s old is new again. It’s the evolution Isabel DesRoches and da hters (from left) Chanel, Shel and Shaelyn et in some ractice. of jump rope." That refers to the various tricks incorporated into the freestyle side of the still burgeoning sport, which also features speed and endur~ ance categories. DesRoches was fully involved in dance and kickboxing classes when her oldest daugh- ter Chanel told her about joining her school’s jump rope team in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “MW As someone with a varied background In fit- ness, she embraced the idea with open arms. , 'I thought we're already doing all this stuff (tricks) here," recalled DesRoches, who's since ; built up the region's first jump rope club 3 that's made numerous visits to area schools 5 in Milton and throughout Halton. "There’s l a lot of kids that don’t like sports and aren ’t i into dance either, so this' Is a great activity for them." Open to boys and girls nine and up, the jump° rope program's competitive side will feature” a regular tutelage by lS-time world champion to Elvis Malcolm, whose maneuvers can ofteno N seem intimidating to the young skippers. E 'At first we thought he was crazy, but then; we went home and practiced until we got it- .- right,‘ said Shelby, who's assisting mom with o the team that younger sister Shaelyn is now a part of. 9 The inexpensive, can-be-done-anywhere as- pect of jump rope makes it an appealing ac- tivity, notes DesRoches. She adds that the program has drawn a num- ber of boxers, swimmers and hockey players, over the years and greatly benefited their re- action time. "Speaking with the parents, I’ve found the lNOld dWVHO NVIGVNV , kids love to work on their skills... without having to be told to practise.’ g Her JDFA Competitive team already has 166g, members, with a target of 20 for the Inaugu- g; ral year The team â€" which will have an am-a age age of 13 to 15 â€" will train roughly four8 hours a week and be part of at least two com- 3 petitions this season. Those wishing to join are asked to contact DesRoches at jumpdancefitca@gmail.com. PRIVATE SCHOOL in prizes to be won!