Gymnaestrada might not be a familiar discipline to many locally, but the sport is known worldwide and has a tremendous following at Delta Gymnastics.
“Gymnaestrada is a unique form of gymnastics that weaves music to a choreographed performance that combines dance, acrobatics and gymnastics,” says Jennifer Watts-Turner, Delta Gymnastics team manager. “This discipline focuses on mass participation and the goal is to promote and encourage joy in movement.”
Teams can be as small as 10 gymnasts or as many as 100 and performances can range in duration from three minutes for smaller teams to 15 minutes for larger teams.
Delta Gymnastics will be taking part in the 2018 Canadian Gymnaestrada in Richmond from June 27 to July 1, which will include performances at the Richmond Olympic Oval as well as at the Canada Day celebrations in Steveston.
“Our Gymnaestrada team is formed by close to 40 people from two different groups that will seamlessly combine into one inclusive choreography,” says Watts-Turner. “One of our groups has men and women from ages 11 to 34, which include coaches, competitive athletes, recreational and high school participants, as well as spouses. Our other group is formed by a group of ladies we call the Legends and they range in age from 40-plus to 70-plus.”
If selected, the Delta Gymnastics team would head to Austria for the World Gymnaestrada in 2019, an event that happens every four years and attracts more than 20,000 participants worldwide.
“We love offering Gymnaestrada at our gym as it gives participants a chance to bond and experience the camaraderie and pleasure of performing as one team,” says Watts-Turner. “It is a celebration of movement that encourages creativity for male and female gymnasts of all ages.”
Team members come from many backgrounds, including dance, cheer, competitive gymnastics, tumbling and more.
“Each person brings something special to the team which allows for a very rich and multi-facetted performance.”
