Delta Gymnastics will be representing Canada at the 15th annual World Gymnaestrada in Helsinki, Finland from July 12 to 18.
The worldwide, noncompetitive Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) Gymnastics-for-All event is held every four years. Participation is for everybody, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, culture, ability or social standing.
"Canada is one of 52 countries represented and our 28-person team will join 21,000 other participants at this event," said Heather Henderson, Delta Gymnastics Team Gymnaestrada manager. "Gymnaestrada is not so well known in North America but in Europe it attracts more participants and spectators than the Olympic Games."
Gymnaestrada is a form of group gymnastics that combines the beauty of dance with the excitement of gymnastics skills and acrobatics. The focus of the program is to provide participants the opportunity to be part of a team and display their gymnastics and dance talent.
"Our team's youngest member is 12 and the oldest is almost 70 years old, our routine lasts about 10 minutes and our choreography is diverse, action packed and fun," explained Henderson. "We are the only Canadian team that was given its own performance slot; all the other teams have to share one slot with shorter routines."
The team embarked on a year-long fundraising campaign that generated close to $20,000 to alleviate some of the costs of traveling to the event.
"Our journey really began four years ago as we participated in the provincial event in 2012, westerns in 2013 and nationals in 2014," said Henderson. "Our choreography improved, our team members were committed and our community embraced it.
"We are so thankful to our club, Delta Gymnastics, the parents, local businesses and community service organizations that donated, participated and supported us in so many ways."
This will be the third World Gymnaestrada for Delta Gymnastics.
"These are unbelievable events, there is so much energy, camaraderie and fun," explained Henderson. "This is a life-changing sport, which allows regular
active people to experience something as exhilarating as representing your country in a worldwide event."
Delta Gymnastics will be hosting BC Gymnaestrada in 2016.
"We want to invite our community - young and old - to join our team in preparation of the next fouryear cycle of events," said Delta Gymnastics executive director Ana Arciniega.
The club will be running a four-day camp later this month to give kids a taste for what this sport is all about.
It will also offer a junior and senior program starting in September with a circustype routine as that will be the theme of next year's provincial event. The club is located in Ladner and offers programs for children ages 18 months to adults. For program details visit www.deltagymnastics.com.
