LIHU‘E — Jack and Kay Leonard, owners of Kaua‘i Gymnastics Academy in Puhi, offered shoppers an excitement-filled break from holiday shopping Sunday when more than four dozen gymnasts performed their routines during the 5th annual holiday exhibition Sunday at Kukui Grove Center.
This was the biggest number of gymnasts performing before an audience of parents, relatives, friends and shoppers who stopped, captivated by the antics of the gymnasts performing on the floor exercise mat, balance beam and the tramp trak.
Kay Leonard said the Tramptrak is short for trampoline and routines utilizing the Tramptrak has gymnasts doing somersaults and other aerial maneuvers.
“This is our fifth year bringing these talented gymnasts to share their love and talent for gymnastics,” Kay said in a release. “We are very proud of what they accomplished while working out a limited number of hours each week in the gym.”
Kay, doing emcee honors at the exhibition, said there is a USA Gymnastics mantra the girls live by — Begin Here. Go Anywhere. Gymnastics opens the door for many sports, activities and a fit lifestyle, Kay said.
During the five years the Leonards have been at the helm of Kaua‘i’s only gymnastics facility, the pair has coached numerous Kaua‘i athletes including the 2008 ITSA World Tandem Champions.
Gymnastics is a year-round program and the Sunday exhibition marked the end of the current Fall session. Registration is ongoing for the next Winter 2010 session which will run Jan. 4 to March 13.
While watching the performers which ranged from ages 6-17, Kay described the exercises being performed by the gymnasts who were also joined by the Pre-Team gymnasts.
These gymnasts work out 1.5 hours a week, but have learned many skills and were seamlessly integrated into routines by the Iki Hui athletes.
The Iki Hui is the youngest level for Kaua‘i Gymnastics Academy. Also performing were the Hoku Hui, or intermediate group, and the Kula Hui, or the highest level group.
Each child learns at a different rate and success is marked in small steps, not big leaps, the KGA Web site states. KGA’s philosophy is to assist each person reach their potential with respect to goals.
Throughout the performance, Jack was seen assisting gymnasts with the various moves they were attempting to execute and offering a second opportunity to execute a routine during missteps.
For more information on the gymnastics program at KGA, visit its Web site at www.kauaigymnastics.com.
