Tumbling

[Anonymous]

My daughter is interested in gymnastics. I had her in a gymnastics class before COVID shut it down. Since then she's done some rec dance and swimming classes. She just turned 7 and is tall for her age. I'm a single parent, so I can't afford the big gyms near me (over $100 a month for recreational). I also know she's too behind, I used to coach gymnastics. I found a tumbling class on Groupon, and it's only $60 a month regular price, which is doable.

We went on Saturday and she was put in the advanced class even though I let the teacher know that she just learned cartwheels and is very much a beginner. It was at a preschool (empty) with some tumbling mats set up. The coach was great, and she even let her try aerials and back handsprings with the other kids- something we wouldn't have gotten away with at a big gym on the first day. She said she could stay in the advanced class because she would catch up quickly. I liked that it was a small class size (4 kids).

My question is, if she does get good at tumbling, should she just keep doing lessons with this coach? Or try something else that tumbling skills transfer to? All star cheerleading seems dangerous and expensive, and the gymnastics gyms around us don't offer tumbling classes/competitive tumbling. I suppose if she does more dance classes it could be useful (she currently just does a free after school hip hop program). I also thought about synchronized swimming, which my sister coaches and says she will pay for her lessons if she ever wants to do it. I've heard synchro is good for gymnasts? Any other ideas?

[Anonymous]

I think the tumbling will be fun on its own merits, and also helpful for dance, esp. if she segues into hip hop or jazz.

Synchronized swimming seems even more inconvenient and expensive. I wouldn't count on that. Maybe diving when she gets to high school?

[Anonymous]

What’s the long term goal? Trampoline and tumbling is a sport that some of the bigger gyms offer but it’ll be $$.

If she like tumbling competitive cheerleading would be a natural fit. Choose a good gym with qualified coaches.

I’d try to get her into diving. Some summer leagues have a diving program. Synchronized swimming is a totally different thing which you really need to love.

[Anonymous]

Check your local parks and rec. They might have financial assistance for gymnastics classes.

[Anonymous]

May I know how to contact this coach? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Have you considered recreation competitive cheerleading? If there's one in your area, recreation competitive cheerleading is much cheaper than all-star. The coaches are typically volunteers.