18-foot-high balance beam

Elite Gymnastics Stars posts articles something like The Onion.

At first glance you’re not sure whether they are real … or FAKE.

This one for example:

Maine gymnastics coach forces students to perform on 18-foot-high balance beam

“It teaches them to pay attention,” says Clint Murdoch

(BATH, MAINE – JULY 7, 2010) – Gymnastics coach Clint Murdoch doesn’t believe in hitting his girls when they perform badly. He never kicks them out of the gym when they throw tantrums. If they gain weight, he wouldn’t think of recommending they go on a diet.

Murdoch doesn’t hand out any of the punishments coaches normally come up with to keep their girls on the straight-and-narrow. He doesn’t have to.

Murdoch, who owns Murdoch Gymnastics Academy in Bath, Maine, has found a better way: a balance beam set 18 feet off the ground. …

… “Girl shoots off her mouth? Up the ladder. Elects not to get to workout on time? Up the ladder. Can’t stay up on a beam that’s a measly four feet off the ground? Up the ladder – and you can bet she’ll stay on the one that’s eighteen feet in the air.” …

read more – Elite Gymnastics Stars – Going up the ladder in Maine

There’s much more content on that site. … You need a sense of humour, though.