Author: Rick Mc

… synchronised skydiving with a difference – performed by four men inside a wind flight simulator in Prague, Czech Republic.

Their impressive two-minute show in the Skydive Arena finishes with a brilliant pay-off as they calmly leave the chamber like four men exiting a lift. …

Alberto Fuertes of Volare Freefly, Håvard Flaat of Skywalkers and Raphaël Coudray and Julien Guho of Team4Speed. …

Daily Mail – Who needs gravity? Impressive synchronised skydive video shows amazing performance in flight chamber

Click PLAY or watch them on YouTube.

That’s Norwegian electro-pop band Casio Kids.

Thank Jessica for the link.

I love simple drills like this for the little ones. (Forward limber I can live without, though.)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Posted on her Facebook.

I’d buy a book of photos of this girl.

The Russian gymnastics magazine is available online FREE here.

(via GymNiceTic)

National Evenings are designed to give participating FIG member federations an opportunity to present a range of Gymnastics for All activities, featuring a blend of folkloric and culturally specific characteristics.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Of the 5 National Shows I’ve seen so far at the World Gymnaestrada, Portugal was easily the best. Congratulations.

Though Portugal has a population of less than 11 million, they are a Gymnaestrada super power having hosted the largest ever in 2003. They have the 3rd largest delegation in Lausanne.

The theme was Fado, originally the folk music of the Lisbon urban poor. The soundtrack was fantastic.

Even better was the accompanying video / photo slide show. It competed with the athletes at times. At other times it complimented perfectly, the comedy ladder act, for example.

The one clown act in this show was the best I’ve seen in many years. And Portugal includes more Acrobatic Gymnastics than any other nation, always entertaining.

It was conspicuously faster paced than most other performances. Smart.

Leave a comment if you know the name of the choreographer. I’d like to extend my congratulations personally.

Two reviews of the show:

° Portuguese pumped up by the sounds of fado
° Proud to be Portuguese

Great pic. I`m not sure what show this is from, however.
_____

Canada made me proud, opening the PAGU (Pan American nations) show. Nobody in the audience will forget the choreographed Mounties. Happily, the Dreamcatcher prop lost in transit to Switzerland was found in time. In fact, they had manufactured a second, just in case.

Chile was the other outstanding PAGU nation, closing the show.

Germany I missed, but they got a rave review, as well.

Over the coming weeks I will post specific show highlights over on RecGymnastics.com.

“Vika is training now, but not quite at full strength,” Alexandrov told Russian newspaper “Sport-Express.” “She does the general part with everyone, and then has an individual plan. We are hoping that she can compete at the world championships.” …

Next month’s Russian Cup will help determine the makeup of the women’s squad to Tokyo, where the Russian women will be the defending team champions from the 2010 Worlds in Rotterdam. The injuries to Komova and Mustafina — the two highest-scoring female gymnasts of 2010 — will make it difficult for Russia to win back-to-back team titles.

Of the other 2010 world team members, European champion Anna Dementyeva and 2008 Olympian Ksenia Afanasyeva are likely to be on the team. Tatiana Nabiyeva and Yekaterina Kurbatova have been struggling this year, but 2008 Olympian Ksenia Semyonova has reportedly dropped most of the excess weight she gained after Rotterdam. Olympic hopefuls Anastasia Grishina and Anastasia Sidorova are age-ineligible until 2012.

Just a months ago Russia looked near invincible for Worlds 2011 and Olympics. Not now.

“Unfortunately, I can say that we don’t really have anyone to choose from,” Alexandrov said of the team’s depth. “The lack of rivalry is a big minus. When there is a hard fight to get on the team, the girls train differently. You don’t have to talk anyone into working or force them to work.”

Those quotes are all from an excellent IG translation from the Russian by Amanda Turner – Komova Resumes Training; Mustafina Still in ‘Dreary’ Rehab Phase

Some nice landing injury prevention drills included …

In this week’s gymnastics workout video, coach Mary Lee Tracy of Cinicnnati Gymnastics Academy takes her elite gymnasts through (leg) conditioning, primarily plyometric exercises. Lexie Priessman and Amelia Hundley are doing the bulk of the workout, getting ready for the elite season just a couple months away. Kayla Williams was in the heart of her season with the Region 5 Championships just a few days away so Williams was doing a modified version of the workout. US Senior National team member Amanda Jetter was overcoming an ankle injury so you can also see how they modified the workout for her.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/Nzg3NTAwMDUx?related=1

Alison Arnold Ph.D.:

What is the Athlete Warrior? The Athlete Warrior is someone fully committed to sport and life. Someone willing to face every day and every workout with eyes open, heart open, and ready to push their body to the maximum. It is an athlete ready to do your sport with no regrets.

An Athlete Warrior practices fearlessness. Fearlessness in facing adversity, pushing themselves, and being a team leader. The Athlete Warrior does not back away from difficult situations. …

Alison discusses the concept under these headings:

• Intention
• Belief
• Awareness
• The Present
• Discipline

read more on Head Games – The Athlete Warrior: Part 1 of a series on Principles for Becoming a Champion

by site editor Rick McCharles

I am presenting for the second time ever at this excellent event hosted this year at Phoenix Gymnastics, Vancouver.

Aug. 26-28th, 2011

Four NEW presentations in the Gymnastics for All Stream:

~ Making a Career Out of Coaching
~ Building and Maximizing Adult Rec
~ Class Planning for Recreational Gymnastics
~ Bars and Beam – Making it Fun

Other presenters from away include Business guru Frank Sahlein and Steve Arkell, former US National Team Coach. One of my favourite gymnasts ever is presenting, Kate Richardson. Tumbling specialist Derek Hanson will be a big draw, as well.

I`ll post highlights on this site.

Check the Congress home page for details.