Morphing from squiggly green caterpillars into a number of colourful butterflies, 31 members of the South Cariboo Rhythmic Gymnastics team performed at the BC Gymnaestrada in Kamloops on May 27 and 28.
The Gymnaestrada is a non-competitive event focusing on mass participation in gymnastics, where gymnasts of all ages participate in a routine as a team and are able to use all varieties of choreography, costumes equipment and props.
The South Cariboo team featured gymnasts as young as 8-years-old performing alongside some of the team members’ mothers.
In a performance called “The Ugly Caterpillar” the gymnasts transformed from a simple costume and set into caterpillars and then, through a series of dance, tumbling, acrobatics and cartwheels, into spectacular butterflies.
The team practices once a week for the performance, with rehearsals ramping up the closer they get to the performance.
“I like seeing how everyone has this sense of feeling nervous, and then they get out there and we all get to work together as a team,” says assistant coach Kim Rottluff, who took part in the performance.
“It’s neat going from a practising environment to… performing in front of a big crowd and seeing how we all react as a group and work together.”
The team was one of a number of groups that performed.
“I like seeing all the different performances and how not any of them are the same. Every single one is different,” says Nicole Hollander, 9.
Her mother, Angela Hollander, also performed alongside her daughter.
“There were moms who did a performance last year and I saw it and it looked like they had so much fun, so I decided I was going to brave it this year and it was a blast. It was so much fun to perform with my daughter and be out there and just see how happy everybody was the day of the performance,” she says.
For other gymnasts, part of the fun came from the costumes.
“I like how you get to dress up and you get to put on pretty makeup. We had little butterflies all over our eyes,” says Aubrey Siclari, 9.
For some, participating in gymnastics has provided not only exercise but confidence.
Paul Donnelly’s daughter, Allie, took part in the gymnaestrada.
“They learn a lot and you can see that. You can see Allie changing throughout the year as it goes on,” he says.
“She comes home tired and wiped and it’s good for her to get out and do some work.”
Alongside the performance, the teams could also take part in workshops and other events to learn more about their craft.
“It’s great for a small community to have this opportunity, so we’re very thankful that Sang-Hee Robinson [South Cariboo Rhythmic Gymnastics coach] has started it off,” says Rottluff.