RANKIN INLET
A nice crowd of parents, relatives and friends came out to watch about 60 recreational gymnasts strut their stuff in Rankin Inlet this past week.
Shannelle Sandy gives it her all on the trampoline during a recreational gymnastics show in Rankin Inlet this past week. -
Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
The Aqsarniit Ujauttaq (Northern Light Gymnastics) demonstration was set up to run like an actual gymnastics competition.
The participants were divided into two groups, with three- to six-year-olds in one and seven and older in the other.
Coach Lisa Kresky said the competition is a way for the young gymnasts to demonstrate to their parents what they've learned during the past term.
She said the kids receive a gold, silver or bronze ribbon for each event, based on their performance.
"This is optional, but we still had about 30 kids in each group," said Kresky.
"We had more kids train with us during the term, but not everyone opts to do the competition for different reasons.
"But having about 60 kids was a significant turnout.
"We're glad to see so many people interested in coming to show off their skills."
Kresky said the kids have a blast at gymnastics.
She said they love to show off to their parents, and some of them are real performers.
"Not all the parents come to watch throughout the term.
"Usually, the parents of the younger kids will stay and watch, but the parents of the older kids don't stay every time.
"They don't really see what their kids can do, so, when they come to something like this, they're amazed at how much their child has progressed during the session."
The competitive gymnasts acted as the judges for the event.
Kresky said the club has really grown during the past few years.
She said Aqsarniit Ujauttaq has become so big that, unfortunately, she had to turn kids away this year.
"I haven't had to turn many kids away in the past, but I had to turn away tons of kids this year because our numbers have grown too big.
"We couldn't physically fit any more kids into the gym even if I had more coaching staff.
"I have six coaches who help me with the kids on a consistent basis, and we have all we can handle."
While the recreational program is done until September, the competitive gymnasts will continue training.
Kresky said the Rankin team will be travelling to Kimberley, B.C., for a competition at the end of May.
She said the competitive gymnasts won't be holding any public shows from now until the competition, but they will perform for their parents.
"Not all the parents travel with us, so we generally have them watch the last performance before we go.
"That also allows the kids to practice their routines in front of an audience.
"The kids are super-excited about the upcoming competition.
"And, they're also excited about going to B.C. and getting to see mountains."
