INUVIK - When Jon Mason arrived at Tuktoyaktuk's Mangilaluk School on Friday to hold gymnastics classes for students throughout the day, he had no idea what to expect.

Whatever apprehension he had quickly disappeared.

Student Letha Woodfine tries to tag instructor Jon Mason while they play the prone fall game with other coaching clinic participants at the Samuel Hearne Secondary School gym on Saturday. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"They had so much fun, some of the kids were skipping class to come watch," he said.

Inspired by the experience, the Yellowknife gymnastics club coach and former Olympian arrived in Inuvik Saturday to give a two-day, 15-hour coaching clinic at Samuel Hearne Secondary School.

"The kids I have seen have so much natural talent and it would be great if we could get into the communities more often showing people how to teach it properly," he said. "The kids can have so much fun with it."

He said there's no reason why Inuvik youths couldn't represent the town at territorial competitions or at the Arctic Winter Games. But getting there will require more coaches and the opportunity to take classes several times per week.

The Inuvik club will restart in a few weeks for children and youth, ages 2 to 13.

The program will be taught by the four residents who took part in Saturday and Sunday's Gymnastics Canada level one coaching course. The program allows them to coach recreationally.

The curriculum centres on gymnastics fundamentals such as swinging and rotation as well as basic skills, like a forward roll or a cartwheel.

But there's more to it than that.

"I'm trying to emphasize safety, in a safe environment." said Mason. "I show them how to control a class and how to make the students feel good about themselves."

Clinic participant Kim Halpine was an instructor for the town's gymnastics club last year. Needing re-certification and knowing there was interest for the clinic, she contacted Mason.

She said she wants to see the club grow but realizes it will take baby steps.

"We're starting with younger ages but we're hoping to keep developing it," she said.

At some point she'd like to increase her coaching level, allowing her to teach competitively.

Peter Jellema participated in the clinic as well. He said he's excited to get the club up and running again, if for no other reason than to see kids active.

"It's a different sport that really tests your entire body," he said. "It's really good for kids to test their own limits when they're young, when their bones and muscles are more flexible and when so many of them have that sense of fearlessness."

Mason will return in June to spend a week with the group. They'll focus on theory and advancing their gymnastic skills. He also plans to make another trip to Tuktoyaktuk.

Letha Woodfine also signed up for the clinic and brought her son Michael, 9, along on Saturday.

He even got to join a few gymnastic games. Afterwards he said he couldn't wait till the club starts again in Inuvik.

"There are so many fun activities," he said. "And I get to do cartwheels."