Teams from across the Northwest compete at the Oregon Coast Classic.

After having to miss three tournaments last year and two tournaments in 2021, Stacey Dundas was determined to make at least one event happen this year for jump-ropers around the region.

“These kids work so hard and they practice all the time,” said Dundas, the founder and head of coach of the Tsunami Skippers Jump Rope Team. “They need to be rewarded, they need to feel special and have something to look forward to.”

Her dedication — along with that of parents, the organization’s board of directors and other supporters—translated into the return of the Oregon Coast Classic Tournament, which the Tsunami Skippers typically host every year.

The one-day event took place at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center on Saturday and brought together nearly 80 participants ages 5 to 50 years old.

Four teams traveled to Seaside for the classic: Hot Dog USA, Bainbridge Island Rope Skippers and West City Rope Ninjas from Washington and the Far North Jumpers from Alaska. About 20 of Dundas’ own athletes also took part in the event.

In a departure from past years, Dundas focused the Oregon Coast Classic on non-competitive activities that aren’t a regular part of tournaments — an approach that was even encapsulated in the 2021 slogan: “Just for Fun.” Her goal was to host a fun and rewarding event for young people who practice consistently to take part in what she described as “an obscure sport.”

Typically, the Tsunami Skippers host the classic at the old Seaside High School building in April. This year, they moved it to the convention center and “pushed it off as far as we could,” Dundas said. Even if Clatsop County had returned to the high-risk category in terms of COVID-19 cases, the group would have found an alternative plan.

“We were going to make it happen,” she added.

These types of jump-roping events often draw the same slate of teams and competitors, which becomes an enjoyable part of participating.

“We’re a big, huge family now, so it’s just fun all the time,” said Seaside senior Victoria Soprano, who has been with the Tsunami Skippers for 11 years. One of her favorite memories was traveling to Norway for the World Jump Rope Championship and Camp in Norway in 2019.

Jessica Hernandez, another graduating senior who joined the team in fourth grade, agreed one of her favorite aspects is seeing other teammates and competitors on a regular basis.

“I’ve known many of them for, literally, almost my entire life,” she added.

As Hernandez and Soprano grew up in the sport, Dundas helped them transition from not only competitors but also mentors to their younger teammates.

“Their position has been more coaching the past couple years,” she added.

The Oregon Coast Classic Tournament served as the grand finale of the 2021 season for the Tsunami Skippers. The group will resume activity in December with tryouts and bringing in new recruits.