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MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release 1 October 2012

Swinging our way back into the record book

Hundreds have already put their best hip forward in a bid to bring the New Zealand hula hooping record back to Christchurch, but hundreds more are still needed before a victory is on the horizon.

Lynda Skinner gets into the swing of things in preparation for Sunday’s New Zealand Record Challenge to have the largest number of people simultaneously hula hooping.

Next Sunday, hundreds of people are invited to simultaneously and continuously hoop for two minutes in Hagley Park. Not only is this a bid to reclaim the national record set in Christchurch in 2008, it is also a fundraiser for Maddie Collins – a small girl with an incurable kidney disease.

Maddie's potentially curable nephrotic syndrome has since developed into Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) - which is incurable. She had her first kidney removed last year and is scheduled to have her second one removed early this month - her dad will be the donor.

Mum, Sarah Collins, who got the news that she had aggressive breast cancer while having tests to see if she could be a donor, for Maddie says the transplant on October 10 is a treatment – not a cure. However, the family are hoping the transplant will buy the eight-year-old some time to enjoy a few years of a normal childhood.

The hula hoop makes a comeback

For many, the hula hoop brings back childhood memories, and In2 Hula’s Bernadette Smith is helping New Zealanders embrace the worldwide resurgence of this popular activity.

“Hula hooping has made a massive comeback – it has taken the world by storm…Grace Jones stoop on stage at the 60th Jubilee celebration for the Queen of England hooping, Beyonce advocates it and in Christchurch we have embraced it for fun and for fitness,” says Bernadette.

In 2008, In2Hula organised Cantabrians to set a New Zealand record for the largest number of people suimultaneously hooping. Hundreds converged on Catherdral Square and the record was set. A year later Invercargill trumped that.

On October 7, Christchurch is going to win that record back. “We just need more than 160 people to join us in North Hagley park at midday,” adds Brenadette.

The record challenge is part of the IceFest activities and Bernadette is confident Christchruch can reclaim the record it first set. “It’s about time Christchurch sets some positive records again.”

The challenge involves everyone simultaneously hula hooping for 2 minutes. Anyone who drops their hoop in this time cannot be counted towards the final number. “So while we know how many people we need to finish with, we need many more at the start, so that at the end of the two minutes we still have over 160 people swinging their hoop.”

Hoopers of all ages are invited to take part in the free challenge – just bring your own hoop, a sense of humour and your agile hips! Online registration means you can win a prize pack.

The days activities will be kicked off with various hooping antics – including a ‘hoop-off” between Nicky Wagner, Central Christchurch MP and radio host Sue White.

www.hulahoops.co.nz for more information and to register online.

More Information

What: New Zealand Hula Hooping Record Challenge
Over 160 people hula hooping continuously and simultaneously for two minutes
When: Sunday October 7 at 12.00pm
• This is a free event, although people are encouraged to register online – the first 100 who do so and present their registration on the day win a prize pack.
• All entrants must bring their own hoop.
• Hoopers can be any age – just as long as they can hoop for 2 minutes.

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