Competitive gymnastics season underway as athletes shake off cobwebs

• First in-person gymnastics event since start of pandemic
• Several clubs joining
• Athletes and organizers delighted to be in front of judges again

This weekend, gymnasts from across the Okanagan are competing in what for everyone is a long-awaited opportunity to get back into the thick of the action.

It is the first competition in front of judges and spectators since the start of the pandemic. It offers a chance for the athletes ages 6-17 to shake the ‘cobwebs’ off.

The Cobweb Invitational saw multi disciplines on view Saturday featuring various age groups and the competition continues on Sunday.

“[There’s a lot of] excitement, energy, and some apprehension, because they haven’t competed in almost two years,” Theresa Cooper, executive director at the Okanagan Gymnastics centre told Kelowna10.

“But they’re doing really well. I’m very proud of all of them.”

Cooper started in her position in January 2020. This is the first multi-club competition she’s been apart of in this role.

In their current program, gymnasts train 10 and a half hours a week. Competitors are testing those skills and routines on the floor, balance beam, vault, and uneven bars.

Cobweb is also the 2022 Winter Games trials event for Zone 2 Levels 7 and 8.

Last year, during the height of the pandemic, competitions moved to online. In small groups of five or six, competitors were allowed in the gym to record their performance and submit the video to the judges.

Many athletes said this year is a welcome change from last year.

“I was a little scared but it’s great to be back out here and I forgot how much I loved competing,” Katie Flaten said. With a background in dance, the floor routine is her favorite category, and she aspires to compete on the national level.

Many health precautions are still in place at Cobweb, including checking vaccine passports and temperatures at the door, and each athlete can only bring two spectators to watch.

Shanna Roworth is a pre-competitive coach at Okanagan Gymnastics, and a parent volunteer who watched her daughter compete.

“It’s so rewarding as a parent to see them back in the gym competing live in front of judges and with the other clubs. It’s so wonderful to see. It’s been a tough almost two years,” Roworth said.

Organizers and athletes are looking forward to the Ogopogo competition in June at the larger Rutland Arena.