Kiiking

A man Kiiking.

Kiiking is a sport invented in Estonia by Ado Kosk in 1993.

In Estonian, kiik means a swing. Kiiking is a sport invented and promoted in Estonia, which involves a person making a swing gain increasingly more momentum. The goal is pass to over the spindle with the longest shafts possible.

In a kiiking swing, the swing arms are made of steel to enable a person to swing 360 degrees going over the fulcrum of the swing. A person is fastened to the swing base by their feet. To swing, the person begins to pump by squatting and standing up on the swing. The swing will gain momentum and will, by skillful pumping, take a person over the fulcrum.

Kiiking is regulated by Estonian Kiiking Federation.

History

Swinging is one of the oldest forms of entertainment for many nations. Main reason why kiiking is close to Estonians’ hearts is that our great-great-great grandparents very likely met each other on a swing—this is where we began. Swings have brought Estonians together for centuries.

The first kiiking swing was made by Ado Kosk in 1993.

Ado Kosk observed that it becomes more difficult to swing over the fulcrum as the arms of the swing become longer. He then designed telescoping swing arms to gradually extend the arms for an increased challenge. The person able to swing over the fulcrum with the longest swing arms is the winner. First modern kiiking swing with adjustable shafts was made in 1996.

Kiikingswing types

There are three models of swings:

  • KIKI1 – shaft height 3–4m
  • KIKI2 – shaft height 4–6m
  • KIKI3 – shaft height 6–8m

Kiiking records

The current Estonian records were set by Helga Ehrenbusch (5,95m) and Sven Saarpere (7,38m).[1]

Guinness records

Estonian kiiking records have also found a place in Guinness World Records book. The current record was set in 2015 by Kaspar Taimsoo (7.15m).

Previous Guinness records:

  • 7,10 Ants Tamme, 16 September 2015
  • 7,02 Andrus Aasamäe, 21 August 2004

References

  1. ↑ https://www.kiiking.ee/voistlused/edetabelid/
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