How to Make a Hula Hoop
Jason Strauss may very well be the Godfather of hooping these days. Not only has he been sharing his excellent directions on how to make a hula hoop for years, and how to make a collapsible hoop, it was Jason who gave the editors of hooping.org their first hoops the night we met him. Many others who have encountered Jason over the years have similar stories to tell. We've been with him many times to hear the "you taught me how to make a hoop" stories too, and if you're looking for Hoop Making 101, start with reading Jason's instructions.
Vera made her first two hoops using those directions, providing a photographic essay here on how it all transpired. Philo followed the same plan when he decided to make a hoop for the first time, only instead of a blow dryer, which he didn't have at the time, he opted for using fire. These days he prefers the simplicity and manageability of using hot water.
While the primary difficulty involved with hoop-making continues to be simply finding the right tubing, visit our Hoop Making archives for more tips on how to make a hula hoop.
Comments
what would be the best instructional video to get started
Posted by: deborah | October 29, 2006 2:52 PM
Hello
I live in the Uk. Where should i start, with a training video? If so as in the comments box, which would be a good one to start with?
Thanks
Laura
Posted by: laura Brown | December 8, 2006 2:38 AM
Hey Laura,
I found the HoopGirl instructional DVD for beginners amazing. It is on their website @ hoopgirl.com. I started this past year and it provides a wide range of skill level. Some easy basic moves and as you get better you can go back and learn more. Just today I learned four that I never thought I would be able to do. Good luck.
Laura
(from San Diego)
Posted by: Laura Cole | August 15, 2007 7:31 PM
To make a hula hoop, it says you'll need a connector. I can't find a connector, is there a more specific name or something that can replace it?
Posted by: Ariel | September 1, 2007 9:03 AM
you stated on your web page you would tell people
how to make a hoola hoop but i could not find anything about how to make one? or where the classes might be held
iss there one in manchester?
Posted by: Janet Spittle | October 8, 2007 1:02 AM
Click the green link for Jason.
Posted by: Irena | October 14, 2007 9:41 PM
OMG!! I just found tubing online! 100 psi 3/4" tubing, a 100' roll is $25.00 plus shipping. The website is www.berryhilldrip.com it is an irrigation company in Buffalo Junction, VA. Yay! I thought I would share my good fortune with everyone since I know how hard it can be to find tubing! Enjoy! =)
Posted by: Theresa M | November 1, 2007 2:56 PM
Hello.
I am a burlesque performer and I do hula hooping in my acts. I've been thinking about hula hoops on fire. I would like to make my own but not sure how to go about it. Thank you
~Rosie deLight~
Posted by: Rosie deLight | November 8, 2007 3:23 PM
A blowdryer would work, and hot water seems messy.
I use my oven. It has a vent in the back to exhaust the hot air and I just hold the ends near this for a while and it gets plenty soft to put the connector in. A bbq qrill works well too. Hold the cut end over the bbq grill, keep it moving, and not for too long.
Posted by: Ira | November 18, 2007 5:32 PM
I want to make a hula hoop big enough for 2 people to use at the same time, how much larger should I make it? twice the size of a normal hoop? or just a bit larger?
Posted by: Julia | February 5, 2008 8:34 PM
Hi! This is a reply to rosie deLight re: fire hoops. I am also a fire performer-there is a supplier I highly recommend-
www.firewhip.com
The hoops are well-made and very fairly priced. I thought about making my own fire hoop-but the thought of making a mistake in the construction which could cause a flaming part to go flying scared me too much. Riz makes GREAT products.
Posted by: chellynn | March 4, 2008 12:00 AM
I just got tubing in store at Tractor Supply. 100' of tubing and 3 connectors cost me $30 and i got 2 rolls of coloured duct tape at Walmart for under 8 bucks!
Flew home, made my first hoop and was outside practicing for an hour!
Coolness!
Here's the link...hope it works!
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_35307_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1#null
Posted by: Squid | April 16, 2008 12:54 PM
I was wondering what the perfect kind of hoop to make for tricks is? I have larger, heavier ones but I am finding it difficult to lift up. As soon as I start to get it above my head, the weight drops to one side and falls down. So what size hoop and what kind of weight is perfect for a trick hoop?
Posted by: April | April 30, 2008 1:25 PM