Tag Archives: physical literacy

gymnastics, positivity

Be Writing an Article for Castanet.net

2 Comments

In our area we have a local webpage that highlights local news. It’s been around for many years and I am not sure of the origin of the name, but it is called Castanet.net. This is the second article that I have sent to this website/news agency this winter that hasn’t been published. Yup, I wrote it, sent a picture of the team and they simply decided not to click copy/paste.

I have decided to publish it here. I am deeply saddened that they haven’t shared with the online world about this incredible group of physically literate trampoline gymnastics athletes. This was also a special article as it highighted the comeback competition for Jackson’s coach, Tyler, after not competing for over a decade. How inspiring is that?! Here’s the article:

—–

The athletes of Kelowna Gymnastix coaching team of Tyler Clemmer and Emily Welsh had an epic showing at the BC Provincial Trampoline Gymnastics competition the first weekend in April.  They had a total of fifteen athletes competing in trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline. Emily Welsh commented that: “Our team did amazing this meet. The hard work they put in at training for this competition definitely showed. Having my coaching partner Tyler compete after 14 years of being retired really showed that your age doesn’t limit what you want to achieve in this sport.“  Tyler Clemmer competed in level seven trampoline with a 10.3 difficulty. The team of Connor Schwab, Shayla Puri, Grape Ritson and Jackson Cann received third overall in the team tumbling competition.  Jackson Cann also received fifth overall National for male and female athletes who compete in all three disciplines.  A few other highlights from Provincials were: Kennedy Olson’s first place on level one trampoline, Matthew Jenn’s first place in level 2 tumbling, double mini and trampoline, Luca Fiorante’s first place in double-mini trampoline, Morgan Conway’s first place in trampoline and Max Banner mobilized to the national level in tumbling. Kelowna Gymnastix Trampoline Gymnastics team will be sending fifteen athletes to the 3rd Trials in Coquitlam in April. 

BC provincial placements 

Matthew Jenn: Level 2  first place – Tumbling, DMT, Trampoline 

Luca Fiorante: Level 2 Tumbling 4th, DMT 1st, Trampoline 5th

Morgan Conway: level 2 Tumbling 3rd, DMT 5th, Trampoline 1st

Jackson Cann: Level 4 Tumbling 4th, Tramp mobilized to national level Tramp and Tumbling, Level 6 DMT: 2nd 

Connor Schwab: Level 4 Tumbling 2nd, Trampoline 5th, DMT 5th

Max Banner:  level 4 Tumbling 3rd, level 5 Trampoline  6th and DMT 6th and mobilized to national level on Tumbling  

Erica Sproule: Level 4 Tumbling 4th 

Taila Ralph: level 2 Trampoline 5th   DMT 5th Tumbling 2nd

Kennedy Olson:   Level 1 Trampoline 1st DMT 10th Tumbling 5th 

Shayla Puri: Level 2 Trampoline 4th DMT 6th Tumbling 1st 

Grape Ritson: Level 3 Tumbling 6th, DMT 2nd Level 2 Trampoline 8th 

Arianna Sloan: Level 2 Tumbling 3rd DMT Level 1 1st

Anna Aaron: Level 1  DMT 5th, level 2 Trampoline 7th 

Caylm Schnackenberg: Level 4 Trampoline 4th, DMT level 3 13th 

Jackson Cann also achieved 5th place National overall for male and female athletes. 

Tyler Clemmer (Coach): Level 7 Trampoline 3rd First time competing in 14 years. Competed a 10.3 difficulty. 

 Team finals award for Tumbling third place.

—–

Thanks for reading!

Have a beautiful Sunday and love what you do!

xoxo Joanna

Education, Family, health & fitness, mindset, musings, radical sabbatical, Wordsmith

Be Learning Nordic Skiing before Alpine Skiing

Leave a comment

This is a public service announcement for anyone with children or grandchildren that haven’t yet tried alpine skiing or have children under 5 years old.

It is spring break skiing and the season where we see many young human beings flopped on the side of the mountain screaming, usually while wearing a “dog leash” (aka: ski harness). Insert gif here with child flopping like a fish in the snow while making shrieking noises.

Both Sexy Neck and I received kinesiology degrees before we got our education degrees. When the boys were young, we talked about our children’s physical literacy skills as much as their reading/writing literacy skills. We wanted them to be physically active for life. We introduced them to coached programs for swimming, cross country skiing and gymnastics. I also taught them skating shortly after they could walk.

One of the best things we did for our boys was putting them into the “Bunnies” (skinny ski) program when they were 3 years old at our local nordic ski area. It was parent participation and this program gave the children the skills to move bilaterally on skinny skis at a pace that was perfect for their growing bodies. There was no screaming, flopping, or crying from the parents or the kids. They could go at the speed that they felt most comfortable moving at and could attempt the hills when they were ready. Plus placing teddy bears along the track, kicking tennis balls in the track and gummy bears in your pocket can go along way!

Right now, we are seeing many parents strap on the big, thick alpine skis and attach the leash to their young ones. Then off they go. You can see that these young first timers are moving at a speed that they are uncomfortable with and thus the screaming, flopping and crying. It’s very tough to watch. I believe that even if the kids spend only one season (10 weeks) in a Bunnies or Jack Rabbit program, none of these experiences would need to happen for our young alpine skiers.

PLUS the added bonuses when kids start on skinny skis is that when they start alpine skiing those thick skis are easier to balance on and they even get to ride up a magic carpet or chairlift or t-bar instead of having to climb up the hills on skis. The children will really appreciate this new sport and hopefully have experiences on two types of skis that help them be active for life!

Have an epic Sunday folks and love what you do!

xoxo Joanna

Boys, Family, health & fitness

Be Glad for Gymnastics 

1 Comment

When our first born was wee, Sexy Neck and I made the decision about which physical literacy activities our children would do: swimming, skating (yup, we are Canadian!) and gymnastics were a must.  

Building blocks.  

Healthy skills. 

Lifelong physical movements.  

Six years later, we say goodbye to another season of gymnastics.  

It ain’t cheap, but it is worth all the five cent.  (We don’t have pennies here anymore.). 

Watching our three year old gain confidence.   

 

Hearing our five year olds laughter and seeing his amazing flexibility.  

  

Sitting in awe as our eight year old flips through the air with or without a harness.   

 

Daily choices.  

Become yearly decisions. 

And lifetime habits.  

Raising healthy, strong, physically and mentally literate boys.