Flow Nunchaku

Prop
Play
6/10
Build
2/10
Variants
PracticeLEDFire

Traditional nunchaku (two sticks connected by a chain or cord) repurposed for artistic, non-combat spinning and flowing, often synchronized to music. Also known as freestyle nunchaku or "freechaku".

History

The nunchaku originated in 17th-century Okinawa, where peasants repurposed rice flails as weapons. Popularized globally by Bruce Lee in his films. Milco Lambrecht developed safety nunchaku with softer materials in the 1980s. Freestyle nunchaku emerged as a distinct discipline in the early 2000s, with the World Nunchaku Association (WNA) formalizing competition rules.

Getting started

  • Start with foam-padded safety nunchaku — you will hit yourself
  • Learn figure-8s and basic passes first
  • Many movements share concepts with poi (both are weighted objects on tethers)
  • Behind-the-back and aerial catches are the intermediate milestones

Key moves

  • Figure 8 — the fundamental pattern, alternating sides
  • Hand pass — transferring between hands mid-spin
  • Aerial — tossing and catching while maintaining spin
  • Behind-the-back — passing the nunchaku around the body
  • Finger roll — rolling across individual fingers

DIY — Make your own nunchaku

Practice nunchaku (10 min, ~3 EUR)

Materials: 2 wooden dowels or PVC pipes (30cm each, 25mm diameter), paracord (25-30cm), drill

  1. Drill a hole through one end of each stick
  2. Thread the paracord through both holes
  3. Tie secure knots at each end — the cord should be about 15cm between sticks
  4. Wrap the sticks with grip tape or foam for comfort
  5. For safety practice: wrap the ends with foam and tape

Where to buy

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