What is Precompetitive Gymnastics?

At Balance Gymnastics, we have some precompetitive groups of mainly 5-8 year old gymnasts who do not yet attend competitions. They are working on foundational gymnastics skills that build towards those skills needed for competitions in future years. These groups train approximately 4-5 hours per week.

 

Which Competitive Programs do you offer at Balance Gymnastics?

Within our competitive program we have two pathways that athletes can follow. They can move between the pathways at any point in their gymnastics journey. These pathways are known the Canadian Competitive Program (CCP) and the Xcel Program. Athletes can move from CCP to Xcel and vice versa at any point in their career - it will come down to what the coaches feel is the best decision for the development and safety of the athlete. Most athletes start in the CCP program until it is determined that the Xcel program is a better fit.

 

Canadian Competitive Program (CCP)

CCP is the pathway that most athletes will start and continue to follow during their gymnastics career. This pathway has very specific expectations of skills and requirements. This program is designed to create a very well-rounded gymnast that is flexible across all of the 4 apparatus (vault, bars, beam, and floor.)In levels CCP 1-5, all routines are compulsory with set skill requirements and routine construction, and there are deductions for not doing the routine as described in the manual. In levels CCP 6 and up, the CCP program gives the athletes more flexibility in the skills they do on certain apparatus, however they still have set skill requirements to meet. Judging in this pathway is also often stringent and hard on execution and artistry as expectations of the athletes are higher. CCP is a program for gymnasts with a strong work ethic who enjoy competing, want to develop high-level gymnastics skills, and are committed to training 7 hours a week or more. Artistic gymnastics at this level requires regular attendance, continued progression, and long-term commitment. This program strives to provide quality gymnastics in a positive, safe, and enjoyable environment while supporting athletes in their physical, mental, and social development.

 

The Xcel Program

The Xcel pathway is a program designed with more flexibility in skill requirements and routine choreography. This program progresses through the following levels; Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. The program allows athletes and coaches to develop routines using skills that specifically work for that athlete. They still have set requirements that they must obtain, however any number of skills could be used to fulfil these requirements. The routines in this pathway are usually a little easier for the athletes as they don't have such strict skill requirements. Judging in this pathway is a little more lenient compared to CCP and often athletes in this pathway train fewer hours overall. 

At the Xcel Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels, athletes learn personalized routines which meet the specific criteria set by their level.

 

Competitions

Provincial level competitions are governed by Gymnastics BC. Balance Gymnastics will take athletes to multiple competitions per year. Usually we attend approximately one per month between January-May. Athletes are encouraged to attend as many competitions as they can. Parents will be given a list of competitions and their tentative dates in the Fall of each season.

​Most competitions are included in your registration fees with Balance Gymnastics. If you choose to attend an additional competition such as a travel meet or BC Championships, there are additional fees that will be invoiced. 

 

What are BC Championships?

BC Championships is a competition for gymnasts who have qualified from throughout the province. It is often hosted in the Lower Mainland and takes place in March/April. If your gymnast receives a minimum All Around score in a competition leading up to BC Championships, they may qualify to attend. This will be communicated to you via email in advance, and usually you have a short window to decide and register. It is a fantastic opportunity and an honour to attend!

 

How do you re-register for future seasons?

Spaces in any of our groups are offered by invitation, taking into account a lot of details such as your gymnast’s skill level for training and competing, their age, and expected development. We are a small club and have a limited number of groups, so we do not have a variety of options for each gymnast. Usually there is one recommended group for your gymnast, and you are advised about the training schedule and cost in advance.

 

How do you transition from Precompetitive to Competitive programs?

Precompetitive gymnasts who are ready to move to a competitive group will be advised of this near the end of the season in June, and will receive an invitation to a competitive group for the future season. Usually our precompetitive gymnasts start competing in level CCP 2.

 

​How do I arrange a Tryout?

Tryouts are offered during April and May for the following season, which runs September until June. If you would like to be on our tryout list and receive details about upcoming tryouts, please email us at balance@balancegymnastics.ca with some details including your athlete’s full name, date of birth and current gymnastics experience. Once returning members have registered, available spaces will be offered to new athletes. This process is ongoing through the month of June and new families can expect to hear by the end of June if they are offered a spot.

 

What should my gymnast expect at Tryouts?

Tryouts give us a sense of what your gymnast already has mastered, what they are working on, their flexibility and strength, how they listen and make corrections, and their love of the sport. There is nothing to be nervous about, and we will certainly not ask them to try something new they haven't already been working on without appropriate assistance. Tryouts are approximately 40 minutes long.

 

How long is your season?

Our program runs from September to June with additional training options offered in the summer. Admittance into the program is generally for a summer or September start and is by invitation following Spring Tryouts.

 

How many hours do the gymnasts train?

Our gymnasts have scheduled training sessions 2 to 4 days per week, for a total of approx 4 to 16 hours per week. Most of our groups have training scheduled on a Saturday or Sunday, with other training times varying Mondays to Fridays between 3:30-8:30pm. Later time slots are scheduled for older gymnasts.

 

What are the fees at Balance Gymnastics?

Fees are determined by many factors including training hours, the number of competitions your gymnast’s group will be attending, uniform considerations, membership and insurance. The fees are included with the offer of placement if your gymnast has been invited to join a training group. Fees average approximately $4,000 - $6,500 for the 10 month season, depending on the number of training hours. These fees include insurance, uniforms, competitions, and 10 months of regularly scheduled training. Fees can be paid in full at registration or in 3 installments with 40% paid at registration, 30% in August and 30% in October.

 

What if my gymnast misses a training session? Do you offer make up classes?

We have many athletes that participate in several sports, and we do understand that occasionally schedules conflict. We do not offer make up classes and encourage your gymnast to attend as many training sessions as they can to maximise their gym time, skill development and team morale, but we understand that sometimes conflicts are unavoidable.

 

What are the uniforms?

For training gymnasts wear a short sleeve bodysuit, sometimes with tight black shorts over top. For competitions, gymnasts wear a long sleeve branded bodysuit and track suit. Most of the cost for uniforms is included in your registration fee. We also aim to buy back uniforms that have been lightly used and outgrown, to pass down to smaller gymnasts.

 

Do you offer Private Classes?

We offer a limited number of Private Classes exclusively for those already registered in our programs. These are helpful for gymnasts who need one on one time with a coach or have a specific goal they are working towards, and are especially popular during competition season.

 

Do you offer Recreational Classes?

We currently do not offer any recreational classes.