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No matter how good your pit, check frequently that there is no way to get through to the floor.

This is a terrible accident.

… a 27-year-old gymnastics instructor died from injuries he suffered in a freak accident at a Marlboro gym, authorities said.

McCurdy died early Wednesday from injuries he suffered Tuesday night while trying to perform a move called the Quad Front Flip, police said.

Police said all safety procedures were followed at the Jonas Gymnastics Academy on Commercial Court, and it also appears that the flip was within McCurdy’s capabilities, but the flip went horribly wrong Tuesday night.

“It appears this was a tragic accident,” said Detective Sgt. Paul Reed.

On Tuesday night, members of an adult team were training at the gymnastics academy. McCurdy, formerly of Mount Joy in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County, was a part-time instructor there. He was not working on Tuesday; he was practicing, but was not a member of that team, police said.

In a Quad Front Flip, gymnasts run, jump onto a trampoline, then do four somersaults in the air before landing on their feet, police said.

A roughly 6-foot-deep foam pit is in place for gymnasts who do not land properly. The bottom of the pit is lined with pieces of foam padding, about a foot thick, and on top of those pieces of foam are more foam cubes piled about 5 feet high, police said.

But when McCurdy tried the move, he only did about three somersaults, Reed said.

The instructor was still in the tuck position when he flew headfirst into the pit, and landed in between the pieces of padding, police said. He struck his head on the concrete floor, said Reed.

Gymnastics flip ends in death | Home News Tribune Online

A death like this makes us all feel our own mortality.

Coach Mack, posted a tribute video to his good friend Jon on MySpace. Watching the video you get to know Jon as a gymnast, rock climber, poet. A wonderful guy.

This is just tragic.

First up is 2007 European Artistic Gymnastics Individual Championships

Then 2010 Worlds in Rotterdam October 17-24.

FIG obviously has faith in the Dutch organizers.

Passionate, dedicated, serious, focused, David Kenwright is a model elite women’s gymnastics coach. He feels the coach / athlete relationship can be as sacred as the parent / athlete relationship — the kids trust you with their lives.

Originally from Manchester, England, David had long been a fixture in Vancouver, British Colombia. His recent move to my town, icy Calgary, Alberta, is a big leap.

I want to welcome David. His influence will be felt throughout our region, but most strongly at his new club, Calgary Gymnastics Centre. (Home gym of Adam Wong.)

David can be a harsh critic of inefficiencies in our amateur sport system and does not suffer fools gladly. If he could change only one thing in the Canadian model — it would be to add compulsories.

I appreciate David’s candour. With a wealth of international coaching experience, twice Olympic Coach, he knows of what he speaks. He is coach to Kate Richardson, Canada’s best ever Canadian female gymnast.

I enjoyed David’s recent bars clinic for age group gymnasts. Key points included:

emphasize straight arms even with developmental gymnasts

be very cautious and exacting when teaching flyaway

he feels flexibility is only about 15% trainable

be demanding on correct body position (“shaping”)

core body conditioning is critical

gymnastics is a dangerous activity (read the warning labels on the equipment)

I am pleasantly surprised that a philosopher coach like David Kenwright, who sees the big picture, still chooses to coach high performance gymnastics — a monumental, under-respected challenge. I wish him all the best. Everyone in our Province will benefit from his example.

For a sample of David’s coaching style, I edited video clips from his presentation on introducing backward giant swing. Of course he teaches it on a men’s bar with safety straps. Emphasis on shortening the body on the upswing to the “candle position”.

Click PLAY or watch the video on YouTube.

Joe Coiffe (not Coffee) spends a lot of time prepping the gym for gymnastics birthday parties.

His birthday circuit is amazing.

Do you want to celebrate your next birthday at Calgary Gymnastics Centre.

my favourite – an “elephant” mat

manic Joe Coiffe

more gymnastics FUN photos

UPDATE:

Joe has a kindred spirit in Santa Monica, California. Check this video fly-through of one of their birthday party obstacle courses.

I had this vision from the camera’s perspective of swooping around through the birthday obstacle course like I was going through the trenches of the Death Star in my X-Wing fighter … The Special Edition has extended credits, and the addition of soundclips from Star Wars….I think the closing credits may be longer than the actual video footage.

Gymnast Crossing: “Birthday Wars”- Special Edition

Perhaps the best article I’ve yet read on Cirque du Soleil.

Pulled from a scouting database of about 20,000 acts from around the globe, the bulk of Cirque’s 900 “artists” arrive as acrobats and gymnasts, including many former Olympians from the Russian and Ukrainian teams. The recruits spend their first months learning everything from how to apply their own makeup to the fine art of clowning on stage. Those who make the final cut are then paraded through Cirque’s vast costume, shoemaking, hat-making, and props workshops, where each is sized up and outfitted from head to toe in exotic garb cut from more than 10 miles of fabric used each year, much of it dyed and printed on the premises. …

USNews.com: Behind the Scenes at Today’s Hottest Live Entertainment Act

Finally saw the critically acclaimed film Lords of Dogtown documenting the beginnings of vertical skating.

The movie reminded me of Almost Famous. It is very well done. I loved the soundtrack. I am the same age as writer / skater Stacy Peralta.

Lords of Dogtown is a 2005 film directed by Catherine Hardwicke … based on the story of “The Z-Boys”, an influential group of skateboarders who revolutionized the sport. …

Tagline : “They came from nothing to change everything.”

In the 1970’s, a group of teen surfers from a rough neighborhood known as “Dogtown” in Venice, California, created a cultural revolution by transforming skateboarding from a recreational activity into an extreme sport. …

Known as the Zephyr Skateboard Team, the boys transferred their surf skills to drain pipes and empty swimming pools with stunning results. Their acrobatic manoeuvres inspired generations of teens and catapulted them to fame and fortune.

Lords of Dogtown – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Now I need download Dogtown and Z-boys, the documentary narrated by Sean Penn and directed by Stacy Peralta.

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Wow!

This is awesome.

With a membership of over 500 adults, Chelsea Piers boasts the largest adult gymnastics program in the world. Classes are offered for all levels from first-timers to seasoned pros. Our experienced staff is specially trained in adult gymnastics coaching, safety, and spotting techniques. Our 25,000 square foot gymnasium is equipped with state-of-the-art gymnastics equipment including all Olympic men’s and women’s events, in ground trampolines and foamed filled safety pits. Beginner to elite level classes are offered year round.

Adult Gymnastics – The Field House at Chelsea Piers – New York City – NYC

Some cute special effects on a video of regular training at Premier Gymnastics Club in Toronto, Canada.

Kids will like this one.

Click PLAY or watch the clip on YouTube.

When I was a kid we did dozens of displays every year. Football games, shopping malls, anywhere that would let us set up equipment.

I loved them. Especially the tramp and mini-tramp shows.

Later, as a coach, I began to tire of transporting the equipment. Bemoan the wear and tear on the equipment. Finally — I decided to exit the world of gymnastics displays.

We still sent club kids to demo. But usually the precompetitive “cute” kids with young coaches and simple, safe equipment.

In 2006 I feel that gymnastics displays are not the best way to build membership. “Bring a Friend Day” works better.

But if you do choose to do displays, at least do something original.

Setting up a Tumbl Trak makes for a brilliant show. Safety straps on a horizontal bar even better.

former World Championships competitor Rhett Stinson

Taiso Gymnastics in Saskatoon, Canada even set up rings in a public park.

Somebody has to fix the sign atop the ring tower.

More photos of this 2002 gymnastics display – Warren Long

After months of consideration, the fitness club at Altadore Gymnastics has custom ordered a Powertrack from Dave Ross at Rebound Products in Toronto.

I was personally convinced after testing a Powertrack at Cirque du Soleil in Montreal.

This is by far the most expensive tumbling trampoline we could find — C$15,000 including shipping for 40ft — but I’m convinced it is worth the big bucks.

Dave Ross is the leader in trampoline design these days, recognized around the world.

Though Rebound Products is expanding their production facilities, we don’t expect to receive our Powertrack until January. Build-to-order equipment takes time.