By Lindsay Ash
Carrboro Commons Writer

The equipment may look the same, but this is not your childhood Hula Hoop. A new trend of movement and dance, called “hooping,” is reaching communities around the nation.

At the last workshop of the Hoop Convergence, held in Carrboro and Efland, hoopers combined movement and dance to act out different emotions or objects. Led by Kari “Revolva” Jones, these hoopers are dancing out “bubbles.”
Staff photo by Lindsay Ash

“Hoop Convergence”, called the first national hooping conference by its organizers, was held from April 11 to 16 in areas of Carrboro and at Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center in Efland.

Hoopers spiraled at venues all over Carrboro, including Weaver Street Market, the Town Commons, the Century Center, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Tae Kwon Do Center, Carrboro Yoga Company, Carolina Fitness and Balance Movement Studio.

“Carrboro has become a hooping Mecca,” said Ariana Shelton, who traveled from Massachusetts to attend “Hoop Convergence.”

“It’s a place on the map that hoopers all over the world recognize as a unique hooping scene.”

In the past few years, there has been a re-emergence of Hula Hooping, which is now referred to as “hooping” to distinguish it from the children’s play activity. Hooping can be used for both exercise and expression.

“Hooping is a form of creative movement and dance that uses a much bigger and heavier hoop that moves slower as it rotates around the body,” said Julia “Jewels” Hartsell from Carrboro.

Hartsell is the week’s main organizer. Her interest in hooping was sparked in 2002, when she and others would take their homemade hoops to Weaver Street Market.

The hoops are made of inexpensive industrial tubing, usually used for irrigation, and can be made at home. The size and weight of a hoop varies depending on a person’s height and physical condition, said Laura Marie of Massachusetts, a teacher and participant in Hoop Convergence. An average for a beginner would be about 43 inches in diameter.

“For beginners, I would suggest taking a class where the instructors can bring many different size hoops, so everyone can experiment and find their perfect fit,” said Marie.

The organizers planned “Hoop Convergence” to be the first-ever conference to celebrate hooping. They say their mission is to unite hoopers from communities nationwide to share their experiences with others who are passionate about hooping. They can learn about hoop crafting, movement techniques, costuming and social outreach.

Hoopers traveled to Carrboro from as far as Alaska and Canada to learn from the 20 teachers whose workshops filled the five-day schedule.

“This is the most fun, dynamic group I have ever spent time with, and I’m 50,” Shelton said.

The event cost $350 to attend for all five days, and $250 for three days. The fee covered the workshops, forums, events and a few communal meals, but the majority of the fees went towards renting venues for the workshops and hiring bands to play community jams.

“The best part of Hoop Convergence is that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the best in the world in five days,” Shelton said. “I have grown exponentially as a hooper this week while, most importantly, having the time of my life.”

The workshop attracted hoopers and experts from across the nation for learning and community.

“I could not have expected a better turn out for Hoop Convergence,” said Hartsell. “And Carrboro was absolutely the best place to hold such a community building event.”

Staff video by Lindsay Ash