As gymnasts across the country prepare to commemorate the tenth anniversary of National Gymnastics Week, the Smithers Saltos will begin their celebrations with a pretty hefty challenge that’s bound to have some would-be gymnasts contorted in all sorts of directions.
“Gymnastics is a great training program for all sports,” said Becky Stavast. “It is key for everyone to participate in activity on a regular basis. A great way to do that is with gymnastics.”
National Gymnastics Week remains as a unique opportunity for clubs, schools, and organizations to promote the sport they love to the local community. NGW is celebrated by over 700 Canadian gymnastics clubs, and Provincial and Territorial Federations. Gymnastics Canada promotes NGW to increase the awareness of Gymnastics in Canada, and to celebrate the positive benefits of gymnastics in all its forms.
This year the Saltos competitive team challenged the Smithers fire department, the RCMP, The Peak radio station, Smithers Ambulance Services, Fitness Northwest and the Moricetown Fire Department to put their gymnastic skills to the test against some of the best in the valley. The Peak’s Joe Otoo is looking forward to the competition and mentioned limbering up will be key to making it out in one piece.
“I’m assuming we’ll be awful,” said Otoo. “No chance against the Saltos. It’ll be an accomplishment if we don’t finish last.”
National Gymnastics Week takes place Feb. 13-19 with several celebrations going on all week.
On Feb. 16 join the Saltos as they challenge the community to what will be one of the toughest competitions to date and is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
“It’s a great community event, so I’m looking forward to competing,” Otoo said. “I definitely need to limber up or it could get ugly.”
The competition will start tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Saltos Gymnastics club on Main Street.