SEVEN times world skipping champion Peter Nestler is in Wellington next week to teach his tricks to local children.
Nestler is sharing the secrets as part of the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart programme. The American skipping legend will demonstrate his skills to more than 2,000 school children during his 22 venue tour. In Wellington he will work with more than 60 year four to eight school students showing them ways to stay healthy and physically active.
“Jump rope makes physical activity fun,” Nestler told Capital Times this week. “It’s inexpensive compared to many other sports and it can be done individually or in a group.”
Nestler has been skipping for 25 years. He became inspired watching his first skipping performance in the United States and although he has seven world championships under his belt he is always on the hunt for new tricks.
“You’re always learning in this game and I’m trying to tell the kids they can do it. I tell them, just keep practicing.”
He says while there is a high obesity rate amongst New Zealand children he’s found them keener to participate.
“Compared to other countries kids here have a great work ethic. They’re always keen to give it a go.”
Each year more than 95,000 children participate in the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart programme, offered to all early childhood education services and primary and intermediate schools. Alicia Northridge of the Heart Foundation says the programme is designed to make physical activity fun.
“Jump Rope for Heart enables children to learn a new talent, get fit and develop life long skills such as balance, rhythm and hand eye co-ordination,” Northridge says.
She says the involvement of Nestler has made it easier for the foundation to push its key messages around exercise, healthy eating and health.
“Peter’s strength is that he can capture and inspire children to believe in themselves, so that they too can become the best in the world,” Northridge says.
Jump Rope for Heart with Peter Nestler, Wellington Basketball Stadium, May 25.