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Gym mums help - child already doing acro, chance to try out for artistic squad ...

6 replies

Bogburglar99 · 21/10/2015 09:32

I have the grace and charm of an elephant so really don't know what I am doing when it comes to mothering 6 (nearly 7) year old DD who has a surprising bent for it. She has a small, graceful, flexible body, particularly good on the floor, and loves the sport.

She currently does a 1 hour recreational class at a local club, plus a school club. I asked about development options, given her enjoyment and my possibly rose tinted view of her ability, but wasn't given a particularly enthusiastic response.

I then discovered the existence of acro, which the local club doesn't offer but one 30 mins drive away in the next town does. They tried her out, she liked it, and was put into a two hour class with an eye to entering competitions. May increase to four hours if she does well (and on, and on). She has been doing it a couple of months, is beginning to enjoy it but there's no doubt it is hard work and the last feedback I had was that she had a bit of catching up to do skills-wise but was working very hard. She is one of the youngest. Has been invited to do her first, very relaxed, acro competition.

Next thing, I have an invite from the local club to trial for their development/competition class!

Assuming she's successful (a big if) I can't see that she could practically continue with both 'development' classes for any length of time. Would it be reasonable to let her do the trial, see what they have to say, and then guide her towards making a choice? Am I mucking them around if theres a chance she wont take the place - I would quite like to hear their assessment of her abilities, whatever.

Should I also speak to the acro coach to see if they think she has a future in the development class?

My end goal is for her to do gymnastics for as long as she wants, at a level which means she can reach whatever potential she has and enjoy herself in the process! I am not expecting to have produced the next Beth Tweddle or anything like it Smile

OP posts:
pygmyangel · 22/10/2015 13:35

I would say do the trial and see what happens. If she's got the option for both see which one fits in with your life best and what your/her aim is. In my experience, acro is a better option as it's a lot more fun and as a country, we do really well at it. It's also better suited to a wider range of body shapes and sizes and training hours are less. If, further down the line you/she would like to compete nationally and internationally you've got more chance with acro but at the same time it will remain enjoyable. I speak as the Mother of 2 acrobats. The main downside of acro is it isn't an Olympic sport so doesn't get the recognition and funding that artistic does.

My DD (7,about to turn 8) currently does acro and tumbling. She began with artistic at a different club when she was 3 and was doing development classes by the age of 5. She found it hard going as it was all very serious and regimented. She then started a recreational class at the acro/tumbling club where DS(13) has done acro since he was 8. She was asked to move into development there after a few weeks. We didn't know what to do as she always loved the beam and vault but she ended up moving over and we haven't looked back.

We are now in the situation where DD has to choose between acro and tumbling as she's progressed in both and the training times are no longer compatible. She wants to choose acro as she loves it so much despite being a better tumbler.

Bogburglar99 · 22/10/2015 19:10

That's really helpful, thank you! My instinct is that I prefer the acro - she enjoys dance as well, works well in a team, and it just seems that little bit more relaxed. Don't know if that's accurate as they progress further. I prefer watching the acro but it's not me who has to do it luckily for the viewing public

Found out more about the trial today. It seems the trial is a preliminary and then she might be invited to an unspecified number of classes, over an unspecified number of days, for some sort of extended trial period. All bloody vague when you're trying to plan family life Smile

If she did get offered a class that was compatible with her acro, and wanted to do both, would it be very bad form to accept a place and keep both going until she has to/wants to choose? I'm happy to support whatever DD wants to do but don't want to cause upset with either club.

Thanks for your help!

OP posts:
pygmyangel · 24/10/2015 08:58

Most gymnastics clubs aren't really happy if a gymnast is training at more than one club once they are out of recreational classes to be honest. You would probably have to discuss it with the coaches at each club and they might allow it for a specified period of time and then make you choose. It's usually best to be honest as children have a habit of letting things slip if you're trying to keep quiet about something.

We've had a similar situation with my DD doing both tumbling and acro, although this is two sides of the same club; it's led to a lot of tears and frustration recently. Juggling two training schedules may work for a time but when they begin to progress and each one requires more hours you will eventually have to choose and it's usually not that easy, especially if they are equally good at and enjoy both. My advice would be it's not worth it in the long run and everyone I know who's been in this situation has regretted it.

Hope this helps and good luck, whatever you and DD decide.

Bogburglar99 · 24/10/2015 09:22

Thanks ever so much - v helpful advice once again, and makes a lot of sense. I'll see how it goes at the trial, and take it from there.

OP posts:
Brioche201 · 30/10/2015 19:34

Acro is not an Olympic sport now, but it has increased enormously in popularity and the thinking is that it soon will be, perhaps in place of rhythmic gymnastics.

Bogburglar99 · 04/11/2015 12:16

Thanks! I don't think she is a future Olympian so I am happy either way - although I'd love to be able to watch acro at Olympic level Smile

For an update, she gave the trial her very best shot but her bars and vault (to my eyes) let her down. Theres something about vaulting she struggles with - she tends to land on the box rather than managing up and over. She is physically very small but it can't be just that. Wondered about rhythm of her run up and jump.

So she will be continuing with acro which we are all happy with. DD isn't hugely disappointed, thank goodness. Alls well that ends well.

Thanks for all the advice!

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