Okehampton Flyers Gym, DMT and Trampoline Club returned to medal-winning form at their first South West Tumbling Competition this season. Travelling to Newton Abbot, this was the first tumbling competition for all eleven gymnasts attending. The Flyers’ haul of medals included three golds, four silvers and a bronze, with a fourth and two fifth place finishes just missing the podium.
Tumbling is a gymnastics discipline in which participants perform a set routine of acrobatic skills down a 25-metre sprung track. These ‘passes’ are graded for difficulty and by age groups as Club Levels 1-4. Each gymnast has three passes in front of a panel of judges looking for neat, controlled execution with good landings. The scores from each pass are added together to give the final results.
Youngest of the Flyers’ entrants Evie Nicks, 7, lifted silver and declared ‘I loved doing the competition!’ Mum Rachel applauded the event: “It was a great opportunity for the gymnasts to experience competing, and a real bonus for so many to come away with medals. Thanks to Vicki and the other coaches for their hard work and dedication.”
Okehampton Flyers is a fun, friendly British Gymnastics affiliated club that is open to all ages and abilities. Club gymnasts progress from basic skills through to advanced skills such as multiple twisting double somersaults. Fundraising from club volunteers and generous donations from Okehampton United Charities, the Rotary Club of Okehampton, the Inner Wheel of Okehampton, the Manor House Hotel and Sport England have enabled the club to purchase Olympic standard trampolines and an inflatable air pit, in addition to double mini trampolines, tumble tracks and other equipment to enable children of all abilities to enjoy gymnastics and reach their potential.
Okehampton Flyers’ preparations continue through the winter in the build up to major trampoline, double mini trampoline and tumbling events next year, including British Gymnastics National FIG/Spring Cup and South West regional competitions.
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