Hey guys!
I thought it would be a good idea to let you know what has been going on this past training year. I tried out for Team Saskatchewan in May 2013 and found out I made the team in June 2013. We had our first day of training at the beginning of September 2013. We didn't learn any choreography that day but it was just a chance to get back into our routine of training. Our first training weekend occurred mid September of 2013 and that was the first day of learning new choreography and skills. (I forgot to mention how long our weekend training sessions are in my last post. They usually end up being 6 hours with a 15 minute water break and a 30 minute lunch break in between.) After many months of weekly practices and monthly weekend training sessions, our first performance was held at Northern Gala in Saskatoon, at the end of March. All in all, we did an amazing job and our coaches were very proud of the team. But just because we did great at our performance didn't mean we got to take it easy at practices. After training through April and a bit of May, we were faced with our last performance before we headed off to Calgary for Canadian Gymnaestrada. I, unfortunately got the flu the day before our last performance so I didn't get to perform at Provincial Gymnaestrada, but from what I heard the team did great and we were soon off to Canadians. We had one more weekend of training in June and then we were off! On June 29th we all arrived at Hotel Alma on the University of Calgary grounds. Everyone was so excited to finally be there. The next day we had our dress rehearsal and the stands were almost full. It's amazing to think that this is just your practice for the performance next day and people are still wanting to come and watch you. So, that day was successful. July 1st was when it got really real. We had our very first performance for all of the adjudicators and audience members. Once again, we did fantastic! We got a standing ovation from the crowd and there were parents and coaches almost in tears. But just because we were great the one day, didn't mean we were allowed to slack off for the next 3-4 performances. We had to be just as good if not better. Thankfully we didn't have to perform more then twice in a day because it's nice to be performing but it's also awesome to watch the other routines. Although watching them did get me nervous at times because there were some amazing groups that were going for the same spot as we were. Anyways, the days went by very fast and in no time we were asked to close off the closing ceremonies!! (That's a good thing) At Canadians, it is not arranged by 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. It is arranged by who performs at closing ceremonies. Long story short, we "won" Nationals and are now moving on to Worlds/Internationals. Well, I think I have written enough for the day so have a great week everyone and chat next Thursday when I update "My Journey to World Gymnaestrada 2015" Bye! :)

Hey everyone! Welcome to my blog. So you may be wondering, what is World Gymnaestrada? Well, you've found the right blog to read because I'm going to be filling you in with all of the ups and downs of getting to World Gymnaestrada. Let's start off with the "definition" of World Gymnaestrada.

World Gymnaestrada (Worlds) is a non-competitive, performance based event with people of all ages, genders, races, and cultures. It occurs every 4 years and is always hosted at a different location. Next year it is being held in Helsinki, Finland. I have never been to Worlds but I am stoked for a life changing experience.

I am one of seventy athletes on Team Saskatchewan. We started training in September 2013 and have another intense training year ahead of us before World Gymnaestrada.  You're probably thinking, "Man that must be hard to get all 70 people together to train!" Well you're right. We don't get to train together every week because we don't all live in the same area. So every month we have a weekend of training together. We usually travel to Regina, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, etc. to train so that it's fair for everyone. We do also train once a week, just without all 70 athletes. Each club hosts their own practices outside of the weekend training sessions.

Well I think that's all I want to talk about right now. I will be updating my blog every Thursday so make sure you keep checking in! If you have any questions or comments I will try my best to answer them. I've already started fundraising but may need a few suggestions to help me raise the $4000 needed to get to Worlds so if you have any fundraising ideas, I would be more then happy to consider them.

Thanks a bunch!
Alison