BAINBRIDGE – Seven of the Bainbridge Island Rope Skippers’ competitive rope jumping team will be traveling to Orlando, Florida or the World Jump Rope Competition.

The tournament begins on July 2 and runs through July 5, with the best of the best qualifying to compete at the finals event on July 6.

It is the first international event for all but three of the girls so it is going to be a new and exciting experience for them,” said Rope Skippers Head Coach Lizzy Sharman.

“The three girls that competed in Orlando, Florida last summer at the Pan American Jump Rope Competition came back with a new sense of drive and determination, and I am excited for the other four going this year to experience that same thing.”

The competition will feature teams from all over the world, Sharman said, and, although in comparison to many other sports jump rope is relatively small, “it is incredible to see the reach it has to so many countries.”

“There is actually no qualifying tournament to this competition,” Sharman explained. “Which is much different than the national competition held each summer, where there is a qualifying regional tournament beforehand.”

The seven girls representing Bainbridge are between seventh and 11th grade, and are competing in a variety of events, including both speed and freestyle.

Such an event can be, the coach said, a life-changing experience.

“I remember my first international competition,” she said.

“Meeting jumpers from other countries, and, although you speak different languages, live on different continents, and have many cultural differences, you still share a passion for something that connects you. Many of the girls on my team have only ever competed against jumpers no further away than Montana or Canada, and having the experience to show how much bigger the sport is will hopefully be a very inspiring and exciting experience.”

Visit www.facebook.com/bainbridgeislandropeskippers for more information.