It’s Canada Day on July 1st.
Happy birthday.
Where better to be than at the 34th annual Island Gymnastics Summer Camp in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island? It’s the birthplace of Canadian Confederation.
Island Gymnastics Summer Camp
Author: Rick Mc
Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
Tammy Biggs – advanced flexibility
Ballistic (bouncing) stretching is a no-no for beginners.
But for advanced, trustworthy gymnasts, it’s excellent. Look at Rhythmic training, for example.
Check out this drill not actually ballistic, but using theraband for added resistance. I’d call this “active flexibility”. Strength training at the end range of motion.
Click PLAY or watch it on Tom’s GymSmarts blog.
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The Gymnastics Minute is a new series of free introductory video tips produced by GymSmarts.
Youna Dufournet 58.0 Mediterranean Games
France’s Youna Dufournet looks like the real deal, after all.
She’s dominating the 2009 Mediterranean Games qualification round. And looks like a serious contender at the upcoming World Championships.
Women’s All-Around Qualification
1. DUFOURNET, Youna – France – 58.000
2. MILLOUSI, Vasiliki – Greece – 55.550
3. LA SPADA, Andrea – Italy – 55.150
4. PREZIOSA, Elisabetta – Italy – 55.050
5. GALANTE, Paola – Italy – 54.850
6. ARMI, Emily – Italy – 54.800
(via World Gymnastics)
Make It Or Break It – episode 2
I’m hearing much less buzz for the second episode than the first.
Is the show going to hold a big audience in the summer. Or not?
… Episode 2 of ABC Family’s ‘Make It Or Break It.” Airs on Monday nights at 9pm EST. …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
The second episode has almost no gymnastics. So there’s much less to complain about.
The reason for coach Marty’s defection from The Rock is revealed.
Watch it online in the USA. Or outside the USA. Thanks Bogwoppit.
2009 YMCA National Gymnastics Championships
Gymmie recommends we check out this big summer meet. Looks like fun!
The 2009 YMCA National Championships was hosted by the Phoenixville branch of the Freedom Valley YMCA at the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Opening Ceremonies were June 24th. The competition concluded June 27, 2009
Shannon Miller was a VIP guest speaker. (photo)
1991 Worlds Gymnastics video
I have nothing but fond memories of the 1991 World Championships in Indianapolis.
In a way it was the end of the greatest era of Women’s Artistic Gymnastics.
I recall Bela and that amazing American team walking to the venue like rock stars. It was a thrilling meet.
Click PLAY or watch I like the way you move on YouTube.
Shout out to my favourite gymnast of that meet, Aussie Joanna Hughes who led her team to an astonishing 6th place.
gymnastics sculpture in L.A.
old Canadian gymnastics photos
Before Grace Chiu, the best Canadian gymnastics photographer in Canada was Dory Dynna.
Back in the old days, Dory posted some of his favourite pics on a website he now calls “primitive”.
see more of Dory’s GYMNASTICS PHOTOS
Dory is living in Vancouver, very involved in the Dance community there.
Thanks for all your great work over the years, Dory!
Mary Lee Tracy – Beam Arabian
Super impressive drills on how to introduce one of the most impossible skills in gymnastics.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Follow GymSmarts on twitter at @gymsmarts. Or GymSmarts on Facebook.
The Gymnastics Minute is a new series of free introductory video tips produced by GymSmarts.
Cheerleading an Olympic Sport?
Most gymnastics and trampoline coaches look down on Cheer.
Feel it’s a lesser sport.
Pooh-pooh the make-up and glitzy clothing.
But – fact is – Cheer is a competitive sport on the ascent. Artistic Gymnastics a competitive sport that has flat-lined. Or is in decline in most parts of the world.
About.com Cheer did a poll. Here’s how the general public (and many Cheer enthusiasts) voted:
It would not surprise me if Cheer is seriously considered for the Olympics in my life time.
BMX biking was added in 2008. Skateboard is in for 2012.
Baseball was dropped.
In so-called democratic amateur sports organizations, Cheer may take over Gymnastics due to sheer numbers of participants.
Leave a comment if you have an opinion.
… Or check the thread started by Bill Seely, Executive Director USA Federation for Sport Cheering on the Chalk Bucket Forum. Especially if you know an athlete that might want to try out for Cheer Team USA.
Athletes trying out for Team USA must be 18 years of age prior to December 1st. Online applications are being accepted July 1st.
