King Edmund Acro Comp 2015

"Bad dreams in the night.
They told me I was going to lose the fight,
Leave behind my wuthering, wuthering
Wuthering Heights."

We do like the acro competition at King Edmund's club in Bristol. We seem to do well each time we attend! We like to put it down to the expert and well varied Judges on the panel. This time was no different :)

5 pairs from Hendon Acro were competing at the weekend, including 2 WPs, 2 MxP's and a MP. We travelled across to Bristol the night before with our WP's, and arrived in style, thanks to Cherry (Clara's mum) getting us an upgrade to First Class for next to nothing! In return, the sushi destined for her daughter was taxed. Heavily.

We awoke to arrive at the venue for 8:00am, and the WP's were the first to compete. Both pairs received an uncannily close score to one another - Clara & Tara 26.36 and Layla & Mercedes 26.39! They placed 7th and 8th respectively, out of a massive group of 20 pairs... well done!

In the afternoon, we were joined by our 2 MxP's and MP. The boys were first up, and produced a decent routine, falling just short of the medals in 4th place. The G4 MxP of Yunus and Sofia were up next, and with a brand new routine had to live up to some expectations! They did well achieving the BRONZE  medal! Well done both!

The LAST routine of the entire competition was performed by our G3 MxP of Mika & Natalie. Quite some pressure knowing you're the last to go, considering everyone is just about ready to go home! They performed a nearly faultless routine to achieve a score in the wuthering heights of 27.74, claiming another GOLD medal!! One of the top 3 scores of the entire comp! What a good end to the day.

RESULTS HERE

Heathrow Acro Invitational 2015

Mika & Natalie Silver

Sam & Ivan Bronze

Back to Heathrow we go! The most successful gymnastics club in the UK, and the most successful Acrobatic club in the world last year! They put on a great competition which is arguably harder than any regional qualifier - many of the partnerships competing were likely to reappear at national championships later in the year.

It was a long day. 7:15am - 8:40pm to be exact. Well done to the coaches for sticking it out! First up was our G3's and 11-16 WG. We saw a clean routine from the 11-16 trio of Alix, Cassy, and Olivia. A low score relative to others as there were many deductions for landings. They performed the newly edited routine well. Our G3 MP were in a small category of 4, but managed to achieve a great BRONZE medal - well done to Sam and Ivan for whom this was there first time competing, great achievement! However, busting through the 27.00 mark barrier AGAIN with a final score of 27.25 was our G3 MxP of Mika and Natalie. They won the SILVER medal behind an extremely experienced and talented pair - well done!

The afternoon saw our G4s and 11-16 balance routines. Our G4 MxP of Yunus and Sofia performed a clean routine but unfortunately the judges didn't see much to wow them. Our G4 WPs saw their first comp in their new partnerships go relatively well, considering their category was the LARGEST of the competition with 28 pairs (yes, 28). Layla & Mercedes finished 14th, and Clara & Tara 11th. To get an idea of how hard their category was; if L&M did not receive their 0.1 CJP deduction, they would have finished 9th!!!

Our 11-16s finished with their balance routine which showed massive improvement in artistry with a mark of 8.55 which rivalled the big guns, Well done all!!!

RESULTS HERE

Leicester Acro & Tumble Comp Nov 2014

Medals Galore!

Deja Vu (noun) - a feeling of having already experienced the present situation.

We've definitely been here before... the annual dual-discipline invitational in Leicester, East Midlands. The last time we were here was the first real Acro competition we ever attended! The surroundings were familiar to us, and it was a competition we hoped to achieve some good results.
For the first time.. it was a 12pm start to the day instead of the normal 8am!!! That was nice on the eyes... not having to wake up at 5:23am in the morning as per most competitions.

As soon as we got to the venue it was down to business. We used this competition as the starter block for some gymnasts as they have never competed before. First up was our Grade 3 WG of Saya, Jemma and the tiny Sara! They performed a very simple and clean floor routine with good execution which was good to see - clean routines are the most important thing!

Not too long after the WG competed, we had our MxP's competing - Mika & Natalie and the new pair of Yunus & Sofia. Our G4 pair did well since they had not competed together before, and we had completed their routine the day before! Still, there were no major errors, just needs some polish :) Our G3 MxP proved they are becoming veterans in this - they performed a stunning routine to claim another GOLD medal! Not only that, they achieved the HIGHEST ARTISTRY, EXECUTION AND TOTAL SCORE OF THE ENTIRE COMPETITION! Thats 3 golds in 4 competitions!!! Well done guys.

Next on the floor was our last partnership of the acro competition - our G4 WP of Layla & Tara. All I can say is... FINALLY!!!!! They have always performed a great routine regardless of major errors in previous competitions... but today was their day... they conducted an almost faultless routine winning the GOLD medal. Behind Mika & Natalie, they achieved the 2nd HIGHEST ARTISTRY score of the competition! ... As I said... FINALLY!! Very proud of those two!

On the other side of the room we had our gymnasts fly down the tumble track rebounding and flipping left, right, and centre. We have always done well in tumbling, and today was no different... well done to Layla, Alix, Sadie (GOLDs) Ashira, Jemma, (SILVERs) and Sophie (BRONZE)for all coming away with their medals. Alix especially pulled it out of the bag with her last 2 tumbles as we were scared her first tumble was to be dismissed!! Well done her. Special recognition to Sophie who had also had a week off gym due to back injury, and still decided to compete - well done Soph :)

RESULTS HERE

Pat Wade Classic 2014

Alix, Cassie & Olivia - balance

Silent Disco anyone?

The Pat Wade Classic (formerly known as the British Acro Tournament). We took 3 discerning little ladies and one of their mothers on a journey of enlightenment.

Silent, it was not... Disco themed - it was. It was like a stage fresh out of XFactor! Hats off to British Gymnastics (BG) for putting so much funding and effort into creating what was much more than any competition setting we've ever been to. There were twirling lights, smoke screens, you name it, they had it.

Friday was an amazing day for the trio of Alix, Cassie and Olivia (ACO).... Simply due to the fact they got to miss some school to do something they love! We arrived at Stoke in good time ready for Podium Training (the warm up training at the Venue the day before any competition).

Surprisingly to us, it was the most relaxed and chilled we'd ever felt at a competition - everyone was very friendly and very helpful. Very well organised with plenty of room for warm ups and tumbles and routine practice. We settled down afterwards in the hotel and got to bed nice and early (for once).

As 6:00am struck, on a cold Saturday morning, the alarm went off (at which point I'm sure Felicia was half way thru the girls' hair)... At which point I snoozed it thrice. It was game time.

The girls had their dynamic routine first which was due around 9:30. We then realised their balance routine had been pushed down to 6:30pm! Less than happy. The girls went out on stage... Literally on stage... To perform their dynamic routine. Wow. What a surprise. 11th out of 28 partnerships in the country after their first routine!!! We were all extremely happy and feeling wildly and justifiably optimistic. This meant we could possibly still qualify for finals (top 8 to go through).

As our balance routine was pushed back longer than a Roman road, we headed back to the hotel for snacks and snoozes. This turned into ferocious games of Monopoly Deal. Alix was particularly bad at this game. Please don't hold her accountable for any of your financial investments. The girls got some well deserved chill out time.

Then it was 4:30... So we upped and left, returning back to the competition venue ready for our balance routine. It is worth noting that the girls had only learnt this routine THREE WEEKS before the competition, which is a tall order for anyone! Still, despite not having as high a mark as their dynamic, they still improved on their last balance competitive score, finishing with a 12th place overall, which would have been 10th without a small technical deduction! So, really well and truly, ACO are amongst the top-10 11-16 trios in the country! And lest we not forget, UK is one of the most successful Acro countries IN THE WORLD!!!

Very well done to the girls. Round of applause! 

South Tyneside Acro Comp, Oct 2014

Our MxP Silver Medal pose :)

"Failure is not falling down, but refusing to get up..." - Chinese Proverb

This weekend we were further north than any Londoner would like to be - says the midlander. We were in South Tyneside, near Newcastle for the South Tyneside International Cup (SSIC) 2014. It was to be a long one - especially for the coaches whom were there Friday through Sunday.

It was more than we ever expected it to be.

Our Grade 3's travelled up on the Friday evening, creating the type of noise in a train carriage that would force you to roll your eyes at, and turn up your Belinda Carlisle, through your new trendy Beats by Dre headphones. (Waste of money, but you want to be "down with it"... I understand). We arrived and immediately descended onto our Premier Inn beds - which are still ludicrously big and comfortable for a budget hotel.

Saturday Morning came. We slipped a few queen's heads to the restaurant owner next door to the hotel, to open breakfast up 1 hour early. They obliged. After tea & toast, we headed to the venue. (I lie, the bribery part did not take place, that was utter boulderdash). The layout of the SSIC is very much that of an International competition - very ostentatious judging panel, a warm up area, and even access to a fully equipped gym for those competing at the highest of levels.

Our G3 WG's were first to compete. Both WG's competed clean routines (no falls). There were a few time faults to be seen, and some slightly less than amplified artistry. The judges took notice, and applied varying mediocre scores to the routines. Nevertheless, the WG's did not let the nerves unsettle them and competed in high spirits.

Next up - our G3 MxP and MP were to claim the floor. Our inexperienced MP also performed a clean routine with no falls, however, similar to our WG's, failed to display much in the way of artistry, although they are still learning and are extremely determined boys. They finished last in their category. Our MxP were up next, and continued their hard work of late, to claim the SILVER MEDAL!! They were beaten to the top spot by only 0.05... which is miniscule.

Our Elite 11-16 WG's and G4 WP all travelled up that morning, to join us in the afternoon, ready to compete their first routine of the weekend - their dynamic. Both groups performed great routines, in what could be argued as the toughest elite category of the competition. Our ACO trio finished in 10th after some dodgy tumbles, despite having some outstanding acrobatic moves. Our SSH trio finished in a very respectable 6th.

It was all going well...

After having been well rested after their routines, we decided to utilise the space in the warm up area to practice for their balance routines to be performed on Sunday. After around 15mins of promising practice, the SSH trio had a fall, with their top Hannah Tang unfortunately injuring herself in the process. Once in hospital, they revealed she had dislocated her left elbow and fractured her arm. She barely cried a tear in the process (unless she was being moved - and even then it was momentary). She was absolutely outstanding through it all. For this reason, she has now coined a new nick-name: "SUPER-BRAVE" or "super" for short. After speaking to her wonderful parents Bo & Wah this evening, I hear she is doing well with a plaster cast allowing the arm to fully heal. Her bases Sophie and Sadie were very supportive through the evening, but hat's off to Gordana (Tara's mum) for all the support she also provided to us. Hannah will be taking time off gym (and Cello), to heal, but no doubt she will be rearing to go once fully healed.. Super, we can't wait to have you back!

After this, we still had 2 (not 3) routines still to play out on Sunday. Our G4 WP were first, and honestly, personally, we thought they could medal. And it was to be, if they didn't have a very uncharacteristic fall on one of their moves! Having calculated their score if they hadn't fallen, we are certain they could have walked away with a Silver or Bronze medal. They walked away with a score of 24.72, which, with a fall is tremendous, considering we experienced 25-mark scores without falls! So, ironically... well done them! Our ACO 11-16 trio balance was our last routine of the weekend. They once again performed a clean routine, even though they doubt themselves! Their Balance was 6th overall, so they should be very proud!

What. A. Weekend.

SWIFTS Acro Comp, October 2014

GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE medals!!

So… *click, click, slap, hit, knock, knock, clap*… HOW MANY ELEPHANTS?

That is a joke lost on many of you, apart from those that were on the return journey of the competition, making it possibly THE BEST COACH RIDE EVER!!!

What a great competition. We were back in the south east – this time at SWIFTS Gymnastics Club, for their annual Acrobatics competition. This competition is always mixed, in terms of ability, with most categories having a handful of skilled partnerships whom would shine at any competition.

The morning kicked off with our first ever elite acrobatics routine – our “11-16” women’s groups balance routine.  Although the routines had promising artistry, the execution was slightly disappointing, with some major errors which were heavily penalized by judges. They knew they would have to do better in their second routines of the day.

This was followed by our Grade 3’s – MxP, MP  and  Grade 4 WP.  Our MP and WP had their first competition together, and they did themselves proud, especially our pair of Layla & Tara, whom received the 2^nd highest artistry score and third highest technical score of their category… which would have given them the bronze medals… if it hadn’t been for silly rulings on lengths of attire!  Our MxP surpassed their competition once again to be crowned with a second GOLD medal!!! Great job!!

Just before the afternoon break, the 11-16 trios finished with their dynamic routines. They really stepped up their performance compared to their first routine and came away with artistry scores within the top 3 of the whole competition – out of 143 partnerships!!! Sadie, Sophie and Hannah did well to take the BRONZE medal, but Alix, Cassy and Olivia just tipped the scales to take the SILVER medal… well done girls!!!

The afternoon saw our Grade 3 WG’s and Grade 3 WP competing. The groups had competed for the first time at the weekend, and they showed good routines with some minor errors, easily ironed out in training hopefully! Leah, Ashira, and Chloe managed to receive the second highest artistry score of their category – well done to them! Our G3 WP of Olivia & Eden did extremely well considering they competed 12hours after waking up! They came away with the second highest artistry score of their category, as well as a well improved technical score!

But seriously… that coach journey caused some moments of turmoil in my breathing pattern.  I haven’t laughed like that for ages. Possibly the funniest squad EVER!!

RESULTS HERE

Hollington Acro & Tumble Comp Sept 2014

MxP Mika & Natalie GOLD 

WE. ARE. BACK!!

Its a new season, new competitions, new grades, and new challenges. We kicked off our season with a large invitational at Hollington GC in Hastings, near the cost - where Leora (Ashira's mum) and Karen (Layla's mum), both made full use of!!! After asking their lovely daughters where they were, it became apparent that offspring will quickly rat on their governing bodies... telling me they were at the beach!!!

Moving on from building sand castles... the competition was both Acrobatics & Tumbling. We competed both acro and tumbling in the morning and then mainly tumbling in the afternoon. The morning competition was the highlight of the day. Our WP and our MxP both performed very elegant and soft routines, which had parents and coaches commenting positively on the choreography of the routines. Unfortunately due to mounting technical errors, our WP of Olivia & Eden placed 10th.

However our mixed pair of Mika & Natalie came out on top claiming their first competitive GOLD medal!! They actually came out with an artistry score of 9.45!!!!! In fear of exaggerating, that is a MONSTROUS artistry score for such a level of acrobatics. They should be proud, proud, proud. As are we :)

In tumbling, Alix Stagg came out on top in her Grade 4 tumbles, above her competitor, whereas our other tumblers found it tough to get their mojo back whilst tumbling. Special shout out to our Sophie Boehler who only completed her tumbles the DAY BEFORE the competition... and still placed 4th. You go Soph! :)

RESULTS HERE