Boys inspired by Olympic success

The success of Team GB's bronze-medal-winning gymnasts is inspiring boys in the South West to have a go at tumbling, balancing and somersaults.

 

Traditionally the sport of gymnastics attracts far fewer boys than girls, but Wookey Hole circus skills workshop has seen a surge of interest from boys in the last week since the bronze medal was awarded.

 

Dan Medley, General Manager at Wookey Hole Caves said: "The first medal for this country for a century in gymnastics has sparked a huge wave of interest from boys and our head coach Willie Ramsay is preparing to put them through their paces and see if we have stars of the future.

 

"Many of the gymnastic disciplines are used in the circus and we have a performance three times every day during the school holidays of our new Olympic-themed Circus Show. Some youngsters are coming just to watch and marvel at the skills of those in the show while others want to get up there and have a go themselves."

 

Louis Smith, Sam Oldham, Max Whitlock, Kristian Thomas and Daniel Purvis's bronze is Britain's first gymnastics men's team medal for 100 years.

 

Willie Ramsay, who trains acrobats, tumblers and trapeze artists for Wookey co-owner Gerry Cottle's world famous circus said: "Winning the bronze has transformed interest in men's gymnastics overnight. We are all proud to see Great Britain on the world gymnastics map but it takes real dedication and hard work to get that good.

 

"Learning tumbling and balancing skills is excellent training and develops all round core strength and balance and has got to be better for young people than slouching around on the couch all day playing computer games!"

 

As well as gymnastic moves Wookey Hole circus study disciplines such as skating, unicycling, wire walking and trapeze.

 

And unlike most circus schools those at Wookey have a chance to graduate to performing regularly to large audiences in Wookey's Big Top theatre.

 

Anyone interested in taking part in the circus skills workshops should contact Willie on 01749 672243 or email: willie@wookey.co.uk

 

The Olympic Circus Shows can be seen every day until September 2 at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm and are part of the admission to Wookey Hole Caves.