THUNDER BAY – Four years ago, Ultimate Gymnastics opened with a dozen students with fingers crossed.
The call for luck seems to have worked.
Today more than 700 students take part in classes at the Alloy Drive club, with 60 girls in the competitive division that vies for top spot at meets across Ontario.
Coach Cheronne Viljoen says the sport teaches youngsters to have a positive outlook, not just in the gym, but in their everyday lives too. It also teaches discipline, and of course it’s also a great form of exercise.
“We’re tough on our kids, we really are, but they seem to flourish,” Viljoen said. “Everything we throw at them they rise above.”
Make no mistake, competitive gymnastics is a time consumer.
Young athletes have to sacrifice other extra-curricular activities and screen time to hone their acrobatic skills.
Sticking that perfect landing doesn’t come naturally to most.
Olivia Arena, a Grade 9 student, said the gym is her happy place.
“It’s like a stress reliever. You get to literally fly and you get to be with your best friends and learn brand new skills and perfect the ones you’ve already learned,” the 14-year-old said, a year after making the move to Ultimate Gymnastics from another club.
Tiana Lombardo, a 12-year-old Grade 8 student, said it’s an exciting sport.
“It’s my passion. There are no words to describe how much I love this sport. I’ve been doing it since I was 18 months and I don’t know how I’d be myself without gymnastics,” Tiana said.
It’s not easy training 16 hours a week. But it’s worth it, she said.
“It makes me feel great when I perfect something and to go to competition and be able to show everyone, including my parents that I’m able to do these skills – that they have no idea what it is,” she said.
Caroline Di Felice, who turns 13 on Thursday, said the sport is a fun and safe activity that pushes her inner self.
“Gymnastics motivates me to be the best person I can be,” she said.
All three girls are part of the competitive program at Ultimate Gymnastics, but Viljoen said there’s plenty of room for those just looking for fun and exercise – without the added pressure of traveling to provincial-level meets.
“Gymnastics is probably the best sport for a child’s development. Even if you’re just doing gymnastics at a rec level, mentally and psychologically it’s good for these kids. They’re happy, they’re healthy and they keep out of trouble,” Viljoen said.
