The Nelson Rhythm Ropers recently returned from a dominating performance at an international competition in Washington, DC.
“It was a surprise to all of us how well we did,” said Jordan Mulvihill, who has been skipping with the Rhythm Ropers for 11 years. “Overall, everyone on the team placed in something at least once. Compare that to the last world event we went in London [England], where we only placed in one event. The medal [in London] was actually the first time anyone from Canada had placed at a world skipping event.”
The Nelson team proved their strength in Washington against hundreds of other world class skippers.
“There were about 300 to 400 people competing [in Washington],” said Mulvihill. “Not to be boastful, but overall we cleaned-up.”
“People were coming up to us and saying, ‘Hey I’ve never heard of the Rhythm Ropers before but we know you now.’ It was really rewarding,” said Kyle Poulin who has been involved with the Ropers for 10 years.
Washington is just one of the many stops for the Nelson team over the course of their season.
“We have seen most of Canada and we have been to a couple world competitions, we also have travelled to the States a lot,” said Mulvihill.
Both boys said they enjoyed their recent trip to Washington.
“It was interesting,” said Poulin. “We were there for the Fourth of July and we went to the Washington Monument. There were about 100,000 people there watching the fireworks.”
“The city was actually surprisingly nice,” said Mulvihill. “I didn’t think it would really interest me as just a vacation, but going there for this really opened my mind and I had a good time.”
The Rhythm Ropers train regularly and all the athletes are constantly trying to improve.
“Everyone had to work hard. In the end though it’s all worth it,” said Poulin.
“When you are first getting into skipping it’s hard, because you have to work at it a lot,” said Mulvihill. “But once you become an older kid on the team you understand what you are working towards and we are motivated to do it.”
The skippers are finished for the season, but will start training again in the fall.