Gymnasts celebrate season with Year-End Show

Tim Brody - Editor

After navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two years, the Sioux Lookout Gymnastics Club was excited to be able to welcome the families and friends of their gymnasts to their Year-End Show on April 9 at the Recreation Centre.
“The last two years it’s been cancelled… it all came together, and it was just really awesome to be able to have this for the kids again,” shared Sioux Lookout Gymnastics Club Coach and Treasurer Sara Sakamoto.
The Year-End Show was an opportunity for the club’s gymnasts to show their families and friends what they have learned during this past season and their passion for the sport.
Gymnasts flipped, leaped, balanced and showed off their strength, coordination and passion for the sport through floor routines, uneven bars, rings and balance beams.
Approximately 50 gymnasts were enrolled in the club this past season.
Gymnasts were excitedly looking forward to the show.
Olivia Gaudry said taking part in the Year-End Show as a lot of fun, adding it was nice to be able to show her family the skills she had learned this past season.
Gaudry said she loves everything about the sport.
Severn Culham said of taking part in the show, “It was cool!”
She said she was proud to show of her skills, adding she really enjoys gymnastics.
Tevai Terry said of taking part in the show, “I really liked it. It was a fun experience. First time doing the Year-End Show for me.”
Front handsprings have been his favourite skill to learn this past season, he said, adding that he really enjoys taking part in the sport.
The gymnastics season began just before Thanksgiving and would normally wrap up the first week of April, however the season was extended this year due to the shutdowns in January.
Due to the pandemic, gymnasts have been unable to attend competitions, so Sakamoto said excitement was especially high for the Year-End Show.
She added that the club, “appreciates everybody bearing with us and their patience and hopefully next year we’ll be able to just be business as usual.”
As the club looks to next season, Sakamoto said the club is in need of volunteers, both coaches and executive members, “so if anybody is interested, we’d be willing to have you on board.”
People can message the Sioux Lookout Gymnastics Club on their Facebook page or contact them at slgymnasticsclub@gmail.com to express their interest in volunteering.