Adult gymnasts compete

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 408, 15 October 1991, Page 9

Adult gymnasts compete

The Waimarino sent two representative teams to compete in the second Annual OMNI Veterans' Gymnastic Competition in Napier on the weekend of 28/29 September. Team Captain Grant Price filed the following report:"At least as important as the competition on the Sunday was the socializing on the Saturday night. This was the time to gauge the diverse talents of the other teams, to lie about our own abiiities, and most importantly, to buy drinks for the judges. Bribery is an integral part of this

fun weekend and is rewarded not at all! "There were teams from New Plymouth, Tauranga, Te Puke, Te Kuiti, Kapiti, four from Napier and our two teams (we scrounged a lone Wellingtonian to make up two teams of three). Bonus points were awarded according to age and the competition was fierce. Ex-competitive gymnasts who showed unusual talent were roundly booed - there was no risk of this with —the teams from the Waimarino! "We performed with some credit on floor, beam, rings, parallel

bars, vault, high bar, trampoline and skipping to gain 7th and 8 th places from a field of 15. This, despite the Napier teams on their home ground, with their own well-paid and pre-in-structed judges taking out the first four places. But you'll hear na sour grapes from me!

"Adult gymnastics in the Waimarino is going from strength to strength, and I recommend it to anyone who can do a twisting double back somersault dismount from the high bar! A single forward roll on a soft mat is good enough to put you in the team."