Sioux Falls Gets Hoppin’ With Jump Rope National Championship

Sioux Falls will be hoppin' this week, literally, thanks to the Jump Rope National Championship in town through Thursday.

If you happen to see several people skipping around Sioux Falls, don’t worry, you haven’t stumbled into some sort of retro workout video. The city is currently hosting the Jump Rope National Championship, and things are going to be jumping.

For the first time ever, this high-energy event has skipped into the Sioux Empire, with Augustana University playing host. Competitors from 17 states have descended on the city to show off their footwork, flips, skips, and ability to defy gravity using only a rope.

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According to Dakota News Now, these rope-wielding athletes have been training since last September, which is basically Olympic-level commitment if you’ve ever tried jump roping for more than 30 seconds without wheezing.

This sport is all about support, spirit, and surprisingly strong calves.

Jessica Nicholson, president of the AMJRF, told Dakota News Now, “Lots of athletes and their families are here, everyone is cheering everyone else on. Jump rope is a great sport where we cheer each other on, making friends and lifelong connections that they make here. They’re trying to get their personal best out there on the competition floor.”

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The main competition is happening now through Thursday, July 3, at the Elmen Center, on the campus of Augustana University, and it's open to the public. So, if your idea of excitement involves flips, synchronized skipping, and ropes moving faster than the speed of light, consider this your Super Bowl.

Oh, and if you think jump roping is just something you did in PE back in school while counting the minutes until lunchtime, think again. These gifted athletes are busting out more handstands and flips than a gymnastics routine.

The Jump Rope National Championship event even includes a special “Jump Rope Jamboree” on Wednesday, July 2 from 10–11 AM, which I assume will be part competition, part cardio party.

The whole event wraps up on Thursday, July 3, when one talented rope ninja will be crowned the 2025 Jump Rope Champion.

If you love the sport of jump roping, hop on over (sorry, had to) to the Elmen Center and catch some of the best jump rope athletes in the country. It’s fitness, it’s fun, it’s probably gonna be more cardio than you planned for this week.

Source: Dakota News Now