Hot water bottles and rugs were part of the scene at Wānaka’s first Gymnastics NZ sanctioned competition, held last weekend at Paetara Aspiring Central.

One hundred and thirty competitors from Christchurch, Oamaru, Dunedin, Balclutha, Invercargill, Queenstown and Wānaka took part in the six-session event on Saturday and Sunday (May 18-19), with approximately 200 spectators, officials, volunteers and gymnasts at each session.

The Paetara Aspiring Central venue is the only venue south of Christchurch which is permanently set up with a full set of men’s and women’s gymnastic equipment under one roof. 

Aspiring Gymsports club founder Rae Paterson told the Wānaka App that despite it being chilly indoors, the venue was “well received” by the visitors.

“On the whole it was a great success,” Rae said. 

Wānaka gymnast Marshall Watson (on rings) placed first overall in level three.

“Aspiring Gymsports and Queenstown gymnasts and families were so appreciative of having one competition close to home which didn’t involve seven to ten hours of return travel and an overnight stay.”

She said the event was “a great opportunity” for the club committee to see things worked and to plan ahead for holding the Southern regional champs for the first time in 2025 (which will feature more than 250 gymnasts).

Local gymnasts on the podium included Marshall Watson, who placed first overall in level three. Marshall was first in floor, second in pommel, second in vault, first in parallel bars, and first in horizontal bar. 

Dean Coll placed third overall: he was second in floor, third in pommel, first in rings, first in vault, and third in horizontal bar. In level four, Charlie Nisbet placed first in parallel bars. 

For step one, the team of Indygo Dawn, Lucienne Reid, Lily Taylor-Ede, Krystal Coll and Siena Dowsett placed third overall (with Lily third in beam and Siena second in bar). For step two, Emilia Wick placed third in floor; and Harper Julius second in vault and second in bar. For step three Jorja Steel came third in vault.  

For step four, Keira Lam came third in bar and first in vault. She achieved one of the highest scores of the competition in vault: 14.40 out of a possible 15.00. 

For step five, Mea Allison and Lara Beams (in a combined team with Queenstown and Invercargill) placed second overall. For step six, Sami Reid placed third overall and also second overall in a combined team with Queenstown, Dunedin and Oamaru.

Rae said Aspiring Gymsports was grateful to Queenstown Lakes District Council and Kahu Youth for allowing the use of the foyer space and clubrooms for prize giving and a judges’ lounge. 

“Mike Greer Homes sponsored $500 and Warehouse Wānaka sponsored $200 towards supporting our canteen and looking after judges and volunteers who manned stations all weekend covering, door entry, cooking and baking for the canteen, announcing, score recording and moving equipment,” she said.

PHOTOS: Supplied