Myrtle Beach women embrace age and find ‘joy’ through Double Dutch jump roping

Tameka Baptiste recalls Double Dutch jump roping as a small girl growing up in a Black community in Brooklyn.

For her, it was “something that brought joy.”

Wanting to recreate that experience now that she’s older, Baptiste and friend Kim Clora created the Myrtle Beach Double Dutch group in January.

Women ages 30 and older, with the oldest being 75, make up the group. They proudly sport shirts with the club’s logo on the front and their age on the sleeve.

The group provides an opportunity for the women to get away from the demands of jobs, motherhood and stress of life while connecting with others, Baptiste said.

“It takes you back to carefree days,” the 45-year-old small business owner said Aug. 20 during a practice at Futrell Park in Myrtle Beach. Baptiste owns the company Relax, Relate & Real Estate.

“It brings back the joy we had as kids,” said, Clora, 53, the founder of Jacqueline Rodgers Foundation, which supports women facing health challenges and the effect it has on their families.

And while the group is mostly women, it is also open to men and children, Baptiste said. There are currently about 30 regular members who meet every Sunday at 2 p.m. at Futrell Park to practice and learn how to Double Dutch.

History of Double Dutch

Double Dutch uses two long jump ropes that turn in opposite directions.

It takes at least three people to Double Dutch – two turners and a jumper. But it’s not unusual for two or more jumpers to join in.

Double Dutch is believed to have begun in ancient Egypt and China, skipping its way to Europe and the Netherlands, according to an article by The Kennedy Center. The Dutch are credited with bringing it to North America.

The jump-rope game, practiced mainly by girls, took off in the 1940s and ‘50s, the article said. It has been a large part of African-American culture, coming to life in the streets of northern cities, according to the article.

Jumping in

Baptiste and Clora stand on either end of the twin ropes, swinging them so that they create a large arch. The group uses either clothesline or electrical wire to jump with, which makes a slap, slap, slap sound as the rope hits the concrete.

Group members work to teach people how to Double Dutch. For a lot of the members, they haven’t jumped in decades.

It’s all about rhythm and timing.

Clora offers a count to Patti Gregory, 58, as she prepares to run into the ropes to begin jumping at the Aug. 20 practice. She manages to jump for a short time before her feet become entangled in the ropes. It happens with the others as well.

But there’s no judging, Baptiste said. “We just have a good time,” she said.

The group’s practice attracted attention from visitors at the park – some who decided to give Double Dutch a try.

“I can’t even remember how to do it,” said Rhonda Wedebrook. But she gave it a try anyway, along with her son, Johnny, 9.

Diane Cherebin, who has been with the group for eight months, remembers staying outside to jump until the streetlights came on. “That’s all we did was jump,” she said.

In addition to providing the members an opportunity to connect with each other, it’s also a great way to exercise. Clora said jumping burns a lot of calories.

“We feel it,” Baptiste said.

The group has performed at various events, including the city’s MLK Day and Juneteenth parades.

While they currently meet at Futrell Park, after previously meeting at Market Common, the group is hoping to find an indoor space that someone will donate or doesn’t cost too much to use, Baptiste said. Both sites are outside, which leave members at the mercy of weather that can be too hot or too cold.

Those interested in the group can reach out through Facebook or email myrtlebeachdoubledutch@gmail.com.