PERFORMANCE GYMNASTICS

Performance Gymnastics is available for all age ranges, abilities and program goals. These programs are geared towards having fun, developing fitness, and acquiring fundamental skills using a variety of apparatus (i.e) ribbons, balls, and hoops, or no apparatus at all.

Gymnastics provides a solid foundation of important skills such as balance, strength, flexibility and overall body awareness that can be transferred into other athletic activities.

Gymnastics Canada has developed two resources for clubs and coaches who are interested in starting a performance/gymnaestrada program and who would like to learn more about the Gymnaestrada events.  

GymCan GFA Getting Started Guide

GymCan GFA Event Handbook

There are various activities for those who are interested in Gymnaestrada events. 

Provincial Gymnaestrada
Gymnastics Saskatchewan holds a Provincial Gymnaestrada almost every year.  Gymnaestrada means a festival of gymnastics.

National and International Gymnaestradas
All with the focus on participation. These events occur every four years. Gymnasts participating in these gymnaestradas are generally senior and experienced gymnasts. Each province creates a performing group that audtions for a space in the international event by attending the National Gymnaestrada the year before. This group is made up of gymnasts from across the province.

Challenge Cup
Held annually at the end of each season.  This is an adjudicated event for group performances (under 12, 12-14, 15-17 and 18 & over). Details are listed in the Gymnastics for All Rules and Regulations. The Challenge Cup is held earlier in the day and is followed up with an evening Gala performance. It is open to clubs across Western Canada.

Mass Routines

 Mass Routines have been develped by various choreographers over the years and are indended to be performed at Galas and Provincial Gymnaestrada.  Each year one of the Mass Routines is replaced.  The routines correspond with the following Long Term Athlete Development Stages:

Active Start

Mass Duck Routine (2022-2023) Choreographer:  Jillayne Keck

Through age-appropriate activities, and using adapted equipment, participants will be introduced to the Fundamental Movement Patterns: landings, static positions, locomotions, rotations, swings, springs and object manipulation. The quality of movement for each of these patterns will be extended and enhanced through the use of music, rhythm and the principles of dance.

Participants likely attend gymnastics for 45-60 minutes a class, one to two times a week.

Mass Duck Video

Mass Duck Script

Mass Duck Music

Mass Duck Supplemental Material

 



 

 Fundamentals

Mass Beach Towel Choreographer: Kara Thorpe

In this stage, participants continue to develop and master the fundamental movement patterns in a multi-gymnastics (i.e. all gym disciplines) environment. The gymnast masters fundamental movement skills before sport-specific skills are introduced. The Fundamental Movement Patterns gain quality, definition and refinement as the basis for building gym-specific skills. Basic skills should be introduced.

Participants likely attend gymnastics for 60-90 minutes a class, one to three times a week.

Mass Beach Towel Video (Front)

Mass Beach Towel Video (Back)

Mass Beach Towel Script

Mass Beach Towel Music

Mass Beach Towel – Partner Balances

Specialization

Mass Co-Resistance (2020-2021) Choreographer: Megan Bialowas

In this stage the focus is on the development of gymnastics skills and overall sport skills. Participants will continue to develop, extend and refine agility, balance, coordination and flexibility. Posture and core strength should be well-established during this stage. In addition, the gymnast will develop sound basic skills on large apparatus and with hand apparatus, which ensures successful, ongoing, and progressive participation in recreational, demonstration, or competitive gymnastics. Skills are challenging and the fun of gymnastics is found in achieving a new skill, working with a group of athletes and friends, and striving to do one’s best. This is an important time for the development of complex gymnastics skills.

Physical preparation – strength, endurance and flexibility – must accompany skill training (prepare the body to advance the skill).

Participants likely attend gymnastics for 90-180 minutes a class, two to three times a week.

Mass Co-Resistance Video

Mass Co-Resistance Script

Mass Co-Resistance Music

Gym For Life

Mass Noodle (2021-2022) Choreographer:  Kelsee Douglas

In this stage gymnasts have consolidated all the basic skills and are developing and refining advanced skills.  Participants will ideally be a minimum of 14 years of age by the date of the performance.  They have the ability to perform routines of increasing complexity and difficulty.  Gymnasts must now learn to perform well under a variety of conditions.  they will reach an optimal performance state that will enable them to meet their individual performance goals.  Gym for Life is not discipline specific; it incorporates skills from all disciplines of gymnastics.

Mass Noodle Video

Mass Noodle Script

Mass Noodle Music