Year: 2011

Canadian gymnast Laura-Ann Chong finished her eligibility with Oregon State last season, returning to train with her club coach, David Kenwright, at Flicka. I stopped by the gym to chat with David and his partner coach Dorina Stan.

We were lucky enough to have Laura-Ann demonstrate at BC Congress last weekend for clinician Steve Arkell from Gymnastics Plus in Panama City, Florida.

Click PLAY or watch a snippet from that clinic on YouTube.

David said the biggest problem transitioning back to FIG from NCAA is getting used to ‘narrow’ Bars.

We talked about a potential new model for elite performance: Older girls retire → Completely recover medically → … Then train specifically for one BIG competition. Like Chellsie Memmel.

The psychology of the comeback is easier than trying to ‘stay on top’ as one of the National Team members.

Another of David’s gymnasts was at Congress too, Kate Richardson, but not to announce she was coming out of retirement.

Kate, a physiotherapist, presented on Injury Prevention.

At BC Congress last week I was asked to do a presentation on Making a Career Out of Coaching.

Going over my notes the night before, I suddenly realized how little I knew about the topic … though I’d been a full-time coach since 1980.

I emailed Frank Sahlein and (happily) he offered to sit in. In this way we had at least one expert on coaching “careers” in the room.

Click PLAY or watch a brief summary of my presentation on YouTube.

The topic drew only a small group of coaches, resulting in a brainstorming session. I posted the resulting notes on RecGymnastics.com

My main conclusion was that coaches from socialist nations like Canada are mostly ignorant when it comes to business and career planning. The USA has many experts in that field. My strongest advice for coaches is to bring in an expert like Frank Sahlein, Founder and CEO of 3rd Level Consulting.

I’ll be taking my own advice, consulting with Frank this Fall.

Check his gym, the Wing Center, in Boise, Idaho.

And this initiative, too:

Motion Evolution:

Based on the premise that people are made to move, Motion Evolution integrates physical literacy, nutrition education, brain-body science, personal best and play, making the program a complete wellness package.

Frank Sahlein on Facebook.

Funny. Entertaining.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

GYMNAST Beth Tweddle greeted a train adorned with her name at Liverpool’s Lime Street station. …

Emblazoned with Beth Tweddle MBE, the No 390022 arrived at the station from London.

It highlighted Virgin Trains’ scheme to sponsor travel for sports stars who are hoping to represent their country in major events.

Read More on the Liverpool Daily Post

Her first meet back after dislocating a knee cap.

2011 Canada WAG World Trials – Peng Peng Lee – Floor Day 2

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Double Front and International Gymnast Magazine on Facebook.)

A personal thanks to Brigid McCarthy and her contributors for communicating the personal stories of gymnasts & coaches worldwide.

I read every post on Couch Gymnast.

Submitting bids to the International Olympic Committee by Friday’s deadline were Rome; Madrid; Tokyo; Istanbul; Doha, Qatar; and Baku, Azerbaijan. …

Doha is proposing to hold the games in September and October, outside the traditional July-August dates, to avoid the blistering summer temperatures in the Gulf country. …

The IOC will select the host city by secret ballot on Sept. 7, 2013, in Buenos Aires. …

read more on Universal

Baku and Doha would be brave choices. But personally I’d like to see it go to Istanbul. This is their 5th bid in a row.

RedNasvw from Netherlands edited together the toughest Ring routine so far conceived.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Rodriguez F
Azarian Maltese F
Van Gelder E
Balandin II E
Layed out Yamawaki E
Back uprise Maltese E
Maltese press to inverted cross E
Layed out Honma to Hanstand D
O’neill E
Layed out double double F

Difficulty: 5.2
Element groups: 2.5

Start Value: 17.7

(via All Things Gym)

At a coaching clinic we practiced different ways to spot giants to flyaway. For beginners I like having one spotter on the ground, one up high.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Coaches tried different stances, different hand positions. The gymnast was asked simply to ‘keep tight’.

The 3/4 flyaway is to encourage beginners to “float” the dismount. AND to prevent kids from getting their toes close to the bar.

That’s Okanagan Gymnastics Centre in BC.

Nick Blanton:

I don’t think anyone can top the height on this Rybalko from Legendre … It is second to none! It was performed in the practice sessions at International Gymnastics Camp prior to the Evolution Competition at Stabler Arena.

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/NzQzNTA1NTkw?related=1

I normally hate Rybalko because it’s rarely got much flight, nor is it a true 1 1/2 twist. … But I don’t hate this one.