The Trail Gymnastics Club is set to tumble into their 50th year and is holding a week long open house to welcome new and old members to the sport.
Coach Chris Buccini has been at the helm of the club for 30 of those years and has enlisted the help of Nicola Marynowski for the last six.
Buccini has a level three coaching certification, Marynowski holds a level two, and with the help of five junior instructors, taught over 650 people in classes last year. The lessons are available to virtually every age group and ability starting with pre-schoolers to high-school students and adult lessons in recreational and competitive gymnastics.
The fitness that gymnastics provides is incredible, says Buccini, but its also a tremendous benefit for a child’s personal growth, self-confidence and social interaction with their peers.
Many gymnasts become very competitive and stick with the club for 10-12 years but Buccini believes “that kids should be kids, first and foremost” and enjoy the sport as much and for as long as they can.
The club became the non-profit Trail Gymnastics Society back in 2005 after a dedicated group of parent volunteers salvaged it and raised funds to purchase all its equipment.
The facility in the basement of the Greater Trail Community Centre, boasts a state-of-the-art tumbling mat, a trampoline, mini tramps, a vaulting box, spotting equipment, pommel horse, parallel and uneven bars and a lot more to keep even the most seasoned gymnasts competing.
The Centre is also open to the public and organizations that seek a dry-land training facility, a dance or aerobic studio, or just to celebrate birthday parties.
“We’re a full service facility, we are available to rental to groups of any sizes,” said Buccini. “When you consider last year we did close to 30 birthday parties that’s a lot of usage.”
The club is the longest continuing operational gymnastics club in the province and is in the top ten for its per capita participation.
Parents can register at the open house that goes from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday to Friday. Classes start Sept. 12. Visit their website trailgymnastics.ca for more information