Hula Hooping in Great Heart As NZ Record in Sights

Wresting a New Zealand hula hooping record from the deep south will be a key part of the Super Heart Hoop-Off in October. Registrations open on June 18th at a special launch.

In 2008 in Christchurch, a fun and fitness organisation called In2Hula (http://hulahoops.co.nz/) was started by Bernadette Smith and her husband Grant. They got the ball rolling (or the hoop hooping) by taking away a New Zealand record after 60 people continuously hooped for at least 2 minutes. However in 2009, 150 people hula hooped the record away and it headed to Invercargill.

Bernadette Smith says the October 28th Super Heart Hoop-Off, to be held in Christchurch’s Hagley Park, is more than only about the record breaking attempt.

“This is a charity event to raise funding for The Heart Foundation, and to help support and raise awareness of heart health,” she says. “It will also be a combined celebration of the Heart Foundation 50th Anniversary, and In2hula’s 10th Anniversary.”

The theme for the Super Heart Hoop-Off is Super Heroes and dressing up is highly encouraged. Super hero back-drop banners will be available for the public to take their own photos in front of. Flat Man, Dark Side Entertainment and Melanie Poppins will also be in attendance on the day, mingling with the crowd and posing for photographs. There will be information tents and stage performances as well.

Bernadette says individuals, teams and corporate groups, including people of any age, are being encouraged to enter the New Zealand record attempt and In2Hula can provide a free session for businesses thinking they may enter a team.

“We had a fantastic session at Pegasus Health recently with around twenty-five staff who had a great time. Fun is an important part of hooping – laughter and fun,” she says. “There were varying degrees of ability and in some ways it is even better if your staff members can’t hula hoop at all or very well, as learning a new skill together where everyone is out of their comfort zone and is collaborating in a new situation, is one of the best ways to build connection among staff,” says Bernadette.

Collaboration between The Heart Foundation, In2Hula, Cityscape and The Exercise Association of NZ is what is enabling the Super Heart Hoop-Off to happen. Check out more details here http://hulahoops.co.nz/superhearthoopoff/

ENDS

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