Gymnasts from across B.C., Alberta and the Northwest Territories will descend on the Richmond Oval for the 34th annual Delta Invitational from May 4 to 6.
The annual event will see more than 1,300 participants in 11 sessions over the weekend compete in everything from tumbling to vaulting to balancing.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the largest,鈥� said Ellyn Schriber, growth and development coordinator for Delta Gymnastics, about the invitational. 鈥淚t started small and it鈥檚 grown 鈥� I think we鈥檙e going to take the whole floor [of the Richmond Oval] next year because it is growing each year.鈥�
The event will feature 38 clubs competing in various categories, including men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 artistic gymnastics, junior Olympian, and high school. It鈥檚 typically a female dominated sport, Schriber said, and one that favours younger athletes.
鈥淏ecause the gymnasts skew younger, we try to use it as a teachable moment too,鈥� she said about the competition. 鈥淪o the whole theme of this year鈥檚 invitational is 鈥楨mbrace the Journey鈥� 鈥� embracing the growth of the athlete, hard days, bad days. Just enjoying the journey rather than this is the destination of where we鈥檙e going.鈥�
Over the last 16 years, the invitational has also been home to the Cash and Carry Cup, a competition that offers $10,000 in prize money for training. That money is divided among the top six male and female all-around winners, as well as the top three winners in each event.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the few competitions that actually offers prize money,鈥� Schriber said. 鈥淭ypically you might win a medal at these events, but that鈥檚 an actual cash prize.鈥�
The Cash and Carry Cup, which takes place on Saturday, May 5 at 5 p.m., is also the venue for two unusual events. The Delta Gymnaestrada, a group of 35 gymnasts ranging from 10- to 80-years-old, will do a performance immediately before the competition, and a special tug-o-war will take place after.
鈥淚t鈥檚 sort of a combination of dance, tumbling and gymnastics,鈥� Schriber said about the Gymnaestrada group. 鈥淚 think the music is 鈥� fairly modern, and the sort of senior section will weave it鈥檚 way in and help with some of the stunting.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very cool and kind of unique.鈥�
The Delta Invitational and Cash and Carry Cup will be held at the Richmond Oval (6111 River Road). Competitions will take place between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, May 4; 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5; and 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 6.
Tickets are available at the door (cash only). Adults are $12 for the day ($20 for the weekend), while youth and seniors are $6 for the day ($10 for the weekend). Children six and under are free.
For more information, including a floor plan and schedule of the competition, visit .
grace.kennedy@northdeltareporter.com
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