24 groups performed at the celebrations on two stages with performances incorporating acrobatic, artistic, and rhythmic gymnastics to the delight of the crowds. It was a perfect introduction for many to gymnaestrada – a gymnastics for all discipline that incorporates both traditional and non-traditional gymnastics into the performances which feature athletes ranging in age from 7 all the way up to 86.
“We were delighted to be able to partner with the Richmond Canada Day and Steveston Salmon Festival events to showcase this truly unique event,” said Ian Moss, Interim CEO of Gymnastics Canada. “The outdoor stages really enabled the performers to get creative with their performances to the delight of the crowds. I hope perhaps we’ve inspired some new gymnasts to get involved in gymnastics!”
The city performances on Sunday were only a small part of the overall Canadian Gymnaestrada event which featured two full days of indoor performances at the Richmond Olympic Oval that saw 50 different groups representing Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nunavut, Ontario, and Saskatchewan take to the floor. In total, around 1100 participants were part of the event which also featured a full day of workshops at the Richmond Curling Club where participants took part in sessions featuring the Vancouver Circus School, Dancepl3y, Stage Make-up for Performers, acrobatic storytelling, and more.
Crowd favourites were the Dynamos Senior Gymnastics Team from Capital City Gymnastics Club in Edmonton, AB. The group of eight ranges in age from 63 to 86 and prove that you’re never too old to move. When asked what keeps them going year after year, coach and performer Joy Lemieux stated: “They love to perform – that’s in their DNA. It doesn’t matter what ailment they have, they’re out there performing – they just love it. Our eldest was recovering from a heart attack when he joined us at age 83. He’d never done gymnastics before in his life, and his attitude is so inspiring. These guys are always busy.”
One of the groups founding members – 85-year-old Arnold Nett, who is also a star masters track and field athlete, has a pretty simple reason for being part of the group: “It’s better than watching TV and sitting on the couch. This way you keep active and you stay in shape and you stay out of hospitals and nursing homes!”
The next stop for many of the performers in Richmond this weekend is the 16th World Gymnaestrada which will take over Dornbirn, Austria next July. Canada sent around 600 performers to the last event in 2015 where they joined around 20,000 participants from around the world in a celebration of gymnastics and movement.
Stay tuned for more exciting stories from the world of gymnaestrada as we gear up for this quadrennial event.
Thank you once again to all of our volunteers, and to the province of British Columbia and Richmond Sport Hosting for their support in putting on this event – we couldn’t have done it without you.
You can relive all of the amazing indoor performances on http://gymcan.tv and see more great posts from the event by searching #CDNgymnaestrada and following @CDNgymnastics on social media.
ABOUT GYMNASTICS CANADA
First established in 1969, Gymnastics Canada is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in Canada. Gymnastics Canada works closely with the twelve Provincial Federations and 700 local clubs to provide a broad range of programs and services to meet the needs of our over 325,000 participants. From athlete development, to coaching and judging education, Gymnastics Canada sets the operating standards and practices for the sport in Canada. Our mandate is to promote and provide positive and diverse gymnastics experience through the delivery of quality and safe gymnastics programming. Visit www.gymcan.org for more information, or follow us @CDNgymnastics.
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For more information, contact:
Julie Forget
Director, Communications and Marketing
Gymnastics Canada
Office: 613.748.5637 x 233
Cell: 819.210.2064
Email: jforget@gymcan.org