Dear Hoopaholics and friends,

We are putting together a Hoopaholic Mardi Gras float for the 2009 Mardi gras parade. We would love for you march with us. Please contact us if you would like to be a part of it.

Hulahooping skills not necessary. Bring hulahoops, toys, banners, noisemakers, swan around, hoop it up...

The Hoopaholics and the Colour Parade have been further workshopping the theme for our 2009 MG float entry. We've come up with "Intergalactic Colour". Basically that translates as anything SPACEY in whatever colour you like. The more colourful the better, although of course the silver still applies.

Hoopname: Mark Villar aka Snowhooper

Years Hooping? 1

How did you get into hooping? I suffered from severe hoop envy watching my mother hoop in the living room as she watched TV. I finally learnt how to hoop at a friend's backyard party where I discovered the hoop scene.

What do you get out of hooping? Joy...and the occassional whack in the head!

What is your first hooping memory? Trying my mother's hoop while home alone one day and failing miserably.

Name: Becky Walker

Time hooping: Just over one year

How did you get into hooping? I saw a girl hooping in the park one day, she must have had a big ol slow hoop and man did she make hoopin look like a beautiful slow dance. And I thought I want to get me some of that... So here I am, trying to get me some of that!!!!!!!!!!

How does hooping enhance your life? Apart from hooping being a great work out, It makes me have a good old laugh at myself and gives others a laugh too and that's what it's all about._Hooping enhances my life by giving me heaps of deadly moves to impress my friends with or try to more like.

Name: Mel Lindenthal

Time hooping: About 1 + 1/2

How did you get into hooping? My partner gave me a workshop voucher for an intro to hoopdance thing in Berlin to recuperate after a big exam, which got me hooked (the hooping that is, not the exam). Then watched gazillions of hooping clips on Youtube and tried to figure out the tricks that I saw, training a lot to maintain my sanity during the rest of my exams and ever since.

How does hooping enhance your life? Well, other than hoop happiness and sanity, I really like the flow of the movements and the grounding quality of hooping, and the excitement of experimentation and getting the hang of new moves (the magic when suddenly the hoop doesn't bash me up but miraculously floats up in the air or whatever); the acrobatic skill and coordination that grows from it; that there's always more to explore. And the bodywork aspect of hooping, that it's opening up my spine more, and brings consciousness to all the parts of my body I hoop with. Also the community feel of it, how it can bring people together (if you want to get conversations going with people in the street just carry some hoops, works better than having a dog...)

Name: Rochelle Leivenzon

Time hooping: 3 months

How did you get into hooping? I was wanting something fun that was also exercise and hooping is it! Now I am hooked on hooping.

How does hooping enhance your life?How does hooping enhance your life? I get to laugh a lot, challenge myself physically and use both sides of my brain. I love that it is endless, you can just keep learning new tricks and that I can come home and show the family and teach the kids. It also gives me time for myself. Hooping also makes me feel a part of the universe… going around and around.

Name: Tarnya Gillies

Years hooping: I have had a hoop in my possession for a long time but have been more connected to the hoop for the last few years !!

How did you get into hooping? ? Just love the sensation and the sense of play it brings, the fun element and that it is great for the body and a form of exercise that doesn’t feel like a work out.

How does hooping enhance your life? It is a release for me, I go to another level and can switch off from my world, and I also love the fact it is something I can share ,I love sharing the hoop joy with my kids, friends and anyone who wishes to jump into the hoop circle…

Name: Trish

Years hooping: Two years

How did you get into hooping? ? Watching buskers & circus performers at the Tassie circus festival. It looked like fun, challenging & good exercise.

How does hooping enhance your life? Laughter, fun, a challenge, play, exercise, joy when I achieve a new move. Hooping is like a meditation, it helps me tune into my inner rhythm & child.


First hooping memory: A busker at the Taste of Tasmania.

Favourite hoop moves: There are many & it changes these are my favs at present vertical jump through, foot hooping, kick up/kick start, cork screw jump through.

Name: Marie HoopStar

Years hooping:­­­­­ One

How did you get into hooping? I saw my friend doing it so I gave it a go.

How does hooping enhance your life? It’s good exercise which is good for your health, Plus it’s great fun.

First hooping memory: Me and my Mum Hooping together And me beating her.

Favourite hoop moves:Monkey arms and 5 hoops on my waist together.

Signature moves: Monkey arms

Hoop heroes: Gemma

Name: Deanne

Years hooping:­­­­­ Since June 2007 this lifetime but definitely a hooper in the past.

How did you get into hooping? Instantly entranced by a hoop video I watched on youtube, I knew that it was inside a hoop that I wanted to be. Gathering inspiration from all over the world via the internet I was so ready but could not find a hoop in Tokyo. My mum surprised me with one when she came in the summer. Have not stopped spinning it since. I had no idea what a powerful force and global community existed when I saw my first video, I am glad I acted on my instincts to give it a whirl.