Gymnastics - what else can we do

[Toarrie]

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.

My daughter use to do acro dancing, which taught flips etc.

Cheerleading?

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

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.

Oh yes I have a seen a local acro class, must look into that.
Need to get her into something before she realises about the advanced squad!
Synchro sounds cool, she enjoys her swimming lessons so I’ll have a look for that.

I don’t think they invite them much older than 6 away so I am sure that ship has sailed!

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

Annoyingly her club seems to be just the 2 recreational or the club. Real shame there isn’t something in the middle for those that are reasonably good (or don’t want to commit) but she is just lumped in with others still learning the basic moves. The difference in ability between her and some of the other girls in the competition was quite obvious.

@Toarrie I mean any development / competition squad in any sport.
Swimming went from once a week to 5x a week + 2 day galas if any on at the weekend, involving race fees, possibly accomodation, traveling etc. I don't know how parents with multiple children managed it, most siblings had to swim too as running around to other sports was often not an option.

Oh thought of another one - trampolining

Ah ok, I will keep her at her lessons and see how it goes. I think she is an ok swimmer so might be something to work towards

If you want something where progression is rewarded I highly recommend martial arts as you work through the belts, it's a really good all-round fitness option too.

I would ask her current gymnastics coach - they'll know what else is going on in your area which might work

That sounds great actually! Thanks for recommending

Skating? I learned to skate when I was younger and have just started to get back into it. It’s brilliant 😊 roller and ice!

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).

I would think acro would be ideal

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?

Yes but 30/40 mins drive away. I might contact them though.
They are all qualified and do the rise awards thing through British gymnastics.
They do floor routines but nothing more advanced than cartwheels

I will have a hunt around to see. We are fairly remote and it is the only club in our town.

Parkour
Indoor climbing/bouldering
Trapeze
Aerial silks
street dance

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?

I haven’t spoken to anyone. I just assumed as they post pictures of the advanced girls who look to be the same age and there aren’t many.
I could ask although I don’t think I could face asking in person! OH might though! The recreation coach seems super organised and efficient. I might just ask if they do more advanced moves next year to see where that takes me