DD is 6, LOVES gymnastics. She is super flexible and I think reasonably good - won gold at club ‘fun’ competition. But she obviously not quite good enough as she is 6 and hasn’t been asked to do anything more than the recreational classes, which is fine.
However the recreational classes are just a hour a week and from what I can see fairly basic. They do split by ability, DD is in the top set but they are still doing cartwheels nothing more advanced and she is the only one told to try one handed ones.
I am not bothered for her joining the advanced (or whatever it is called) team but it seems as though there is nothing in the middle for those that are pretty good but not quite good enough. She wants to do more than cartwheels etc but I don’t really know where to start? Is there something else she can do where she could learn to do more advanced moves?
It just seems so cut throat. From probably over 100 6 year olds in the recreational class they must just pick 3 who can progress?
DD is completely unaware there are advanced girls and is brimming with confidence so thinks she is amazing (and will be a gymnast when she grows up 😬) and I don’t have the heart to tell her.
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Gymnastics - what else can we do
Toarrie · 22/03/2024 12:01
Singleandproud · 22/03/2024 12:05
Lots of activities she could move onto where flexibility is valued
Dance acro
Swimming lessons then into synchro or diving
Cheerleading
Tumbling
Rock climbing
We have a local circus and the have classes for dance but also hoops and silks.
Rhythmic gymnastics.
Think carefully before wanting her to join any development teams as she gets older, it becomes serious really, really quickly, and costs a fortune in time and often financially travelling to competitions and any sport at that level is a whole family commitment. I'd be glad she stayed in recreational classes and was none the wiser.
purpleme12 · 22/03/2024 12:04
There are different types I think. At the one my child goes to there's acro class and gymnastics class.
At another one there's a tumbling class
Singleandproud · 22/03/2024 12:10
Synchro probably won't take her until she's a very competent swimmer.
Our bog standard local pool did stages 1-7 normal swimming and 8-10 in lifeguarding, diving, synchro, water polo if you wanted but you had to be at least grade 6 normal swimming to join.
Then proper synchro was in the city at a different pool
BrianBettyGrable · 22/03/2024 12:19
My dd was a gymnast until COVID. She is now 12 and loves indoor climbing where her flexibility is really useful.
I also hated the cut throat nature of her gymnastics club. It would have killed the enjoyment if COVID hadn't and felt like a massive money making scheme with loads of pressure to compete wearing the club's expensive uniform. She tried the recreational classes, but they weren't given the same standard of coaching as the competing classes.
Climbing could not be more different. Classes are relaxed and each child can progress at their own pace. There is the chance to compete if they want to, but competitions are so relaxed and fun, a world away from her gymnastics comps. I am so pleased she has found a sport that she enjoys and is making great progress in, it's brilliant for her confidence as she goes into the teen years.
This is the scheme her climbing centre has classes for. She can also go to bouldering club during the holidays when the classes are not running.
https://www.nicas.co.uk/
Toarrie · 22/03/2024 12:23
That sounds great actually! Thanks for recommending
BrianBettyGrable · 22/03/2024 12:19
My dd was a gymnast until COVID. She is now 12 and loves indoor climbing where her flexibility is really useful.
I also hated the cut throat nature of her gymnastics club. It would have killed the enjoyment if COVID hadn't and felt like a massive money making scheme with loads of pressure to compete wearing the club's expensive uniform. She tried the recreational classes, but they weren't given the same standard of coaching as the competing classes.
Climbing could not be more different. Classes are relaxed and each child can progress at their own pace. There is the chance to compete if they want to, but competitions are so relaxed and fun, a world away from her gymnastics comps. I am so pleased she has found a sport that she enjoys and is making great progress in, it's brilliant for her confidence as she goes into the teen years.
This is the scheme her climbing centre has classes for. She can also go to bouldering club during the holidays when the classes are not running.
https://www.nicas.co.uk/
Bumblebeeinatree · 22/03/2024 12:26
Is there another club locally that might be more adventurous? When my DD was that age her gymnastics class was pretty scary to watch. They were doing, beam work and box work as well as all sorts of tumbling, headstands, handstands cartwheels back flips, learning short floor routines. Are there qualified staff or are they only allowed to supervise very simple things? I guess it also depends what equipment is available. (She didn't become a gymnast).
IkaBaar · 22/03/2024 12:32
Are there other gym clubs nearby? Different clubs work in different ways so might keep them in recreational classes for longer or even have beginner, intermediate and advanced recreational classes. She might do better with a club, that doesn’t have lots of national level gymnastics (judging by round here anyway).
Or consider acrobatic, rhythmic or aerobic gym?
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Underthinker · 22/03/2024 12:42
At our girls' club, in theory they do scout the recreational groups for those who ready to move up into the competitive squad, but it can be a little disorganised and they can miss kids. Sometimes a nudge from a parent can get them to review or test a child to see if they might be capable.
Have you spoken to the coaches and asked about it already? Is it a case of they've said she's not quite good enough or has it not been discussed at all?
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