Unlike other urban diversions from that era (breaking, graffiti, etc), Double Dutch failed to grow pop-culture wings and instead morphed into an after-school activity for kids who couldn’t make cheer squad. But that’s changing. SFC Double Dutch, a crew of three tough-but-sexy chicks from San Francisco, is taking ropin’ back to the streets. “SFC stands for Sucka Free City,” explains Erin Dougherty, aka Venomiss. “We regionalized our name and invented badass alter egos to unify as a team.”
Despite having awesome names—Venomiss, Switchblade and Death Valley—the girls weren’t serious when they got together in 2002. But they got good fast, and soon started performing at festivals and bars all over town. After a while something started bothering them. They wanted to find other like-minded ropers. “We didn’t want to entertain; we wanted a scene,” says Switchblade. So the girls got organized, started teaching classes, and began throwing impromptu parties citywide. Now, after years of work, their wish is coming true; San Francisco’s roping scene is huge, and growing daily.
If you visit San Francisco these days, you might catch one of the sprawling parties SFC’s protégés throw all over town. You’re more likely to hear E-40 than The Furious Five and you’ll notice that these kids are older and rowdier than the originators—but SFC’s deal is a step away from the wholesome gymnasium scene and a step toward gritty urban fun. Which is what Double Dutch was supposed to be about in the first place. –Justin Juul / Against The Grain
