PHOTOS: Lincoln Center hosts Double Dutch Summer Classic National Competition

On Sunday, double Dutch returned to Lincoln Center for the first time in 30 years.

Teams from all age groups and from around the country came to New York City’s Lincoln Center to participate in the Double Dutch National Summer Classic Competition.

The double Dutch event was part of a free two-day event filled with demonstrations and panel discussions leading to the main event, the competition. It was organized by the National Double Dutch League (NDDL) and part of the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival — which has several free outdoor events from July 26 through August 13.

On the first day, there was a free screening of the 1981 documentary film “Pick Up Your Feet,” which gave viewers a glimpse of the early days of double Dutch in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The film followed teams around New York City and their paths to the 1981 World Invitational Championship at Lincoln Center.

Pick Up Your Feet: The Double Dutch Show documentary

The full documentary can be viewed here.

The competition featured teams from around the country, including the Swagga Jumpers and the Jazzy Jumpers from Brooklyn, the Honey Bees from New Jersey and the Rope Rockers from New Haven, Connecticut.

Teams displayed their skills and competed in three different categories.

Speed: Jumpers were given two minutes to try and get the most steps in. Judges were standing to the side of the jumpers and used a counting device to count every left step made.

Compulsory: Jumpers tried to execute a series of steps such as two turns to the left and right.

Freestyle: Jumpers were given a set time to showcase their best moves. Judges gave scores based on creativity and difficulty.

Aside from the intense competition, there’s also sportsmanship and camaraderie in the sport of double Dutch. Teams were seen cheering for each other during the competition. Whenever a team finished their showcase, they placed the ropes flat on the floor, ready for the next team to use.

During the showcase, a nod was given to some of the older double Dutch jumpers who paved the way for the younger generation.

Original double Dutch team members featured in the “Pick Up Your Feet” documentary reunited on stage and were acknowledged during Sunday’s competition.

The first lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, took to the stage and showed off her double Dutch skills during a brief intermission.

At the end of the event, winning teams from different age groups were brought on stage and presented with trophies and medals

Check out photos from the first double Dutch competition to take place at Lincoln Center in more than 30 years. Below are the winners of this year’s competition.