How to tackle Ninja Parc’s most popular obstacles

This year Ninja Warrior has returned to our TV screens in time for school holidays, which means it is only a matter of time before our kids start to feel inspired to channel their favourite ninjas every chance they get. Find below some expert tips from Mitch Bird at Ninja Parc on how to tackle the most popular ninja obstacles.

Ninja Parc, Melbourne

Ninja Parc is the new Ninja Warrior Park in Melbourne and if you have a little Ninja Warrior fan, they are going to love the during the 3-hour supervised school holiday program.

To get your kids prepared, we asked their Programs Manager Mitch Bird for his top tips on how to conquer fan favourite obstacles. Check them out below:

1. The Warped Wall 

The warped wall is the obstacle that makes or breaks most contestants on the show. It is slanted and steep so if you don’t get a big enough run up, you often fall short and sadly, it is often the last obstacle so failing it also means you may not complete the course.  

Mitch’s tips

• Generate as much speed as possible in your run up 
• Once you hit the wall push hard through the balls of your feet, you want to generate as much height as possible in each step 
• Keep your body upright, try not to fall into the wall 
• Reach as high as possible on your last step 
• Lastly, use your legs to help push off the wall and lift you up and over the edge 

2. Sea of Poles 

Another obstacle that is often the tough one for the contestants, the sea of poles is essentially a bunch of suspended poles that you need to grip onto in order to cross the section of the course. That catch? Your feet can’t touch the ground. It all needs to be done suspended in the air. 

Mitch’s tip 

• Start as high as possible on the poles. The higher you start the more you can drop before hitting the ground, as you tend to grip lower as you go from pole to pole
• Aim to keep three points of contact wherever possible, minimum two 
• Push into the poles as much as possible when your stationary  

3. Floating doors 

One of the most unique obstacles on the show, the floating doors have knocked out some of the best competitors in the country. Think of your everyday household door being suspended from the group. The aim? To move from one door to the next before slipping off and ending your run 

Mitch’s tip 

• Before attempting the floating doors it’s important to make sure that your hands and feet are as dry as possible 
• Once you’re on the first door press the base of both feet together squeezing the door between them 
• When transferring from one door to the next make sure that you have a tight grip of both door before transferring your feet. Once your feet have transferred then bring both hands across 

4. Rope climb  

There are lots of rope climb options at Ninja Parc, for cargo nets to a horizontal rope that you climb across while gripping your arms and legs. The ropes are very unstable which make them great for building core strength as well as sheer will and resilience.  

Mitch’s tip 

• First step is to start from seated and practice climbing whilst keeping your feet on the ground. That way you can build your grip and upper body strength without having to support your whole body 
• Next learn how to wrap your feet. You want one foot on top of the rope and one underneath whilst pressing them together. This will help to lighten the load on your upper body and allow you to use your legs in the climb.

What are your little ninjas waiting for?

Check out our review of Ninja Park here>>>

Good luck ninjas!

Looking for more things to do in Melbourne with kids? Take a look at our main post on Kids Activities Melbourne. Follow Mum’s Little Explorers – Melbourne for Kids on FACEBOOK for more inspiration or join our What’s On Melbourne for Kids Facebook Group