America Report October 2011

On 17^th October 2011, 14 gymnasts and six coaches from Redcar set off for a ten day long training trip to Clarks Gymnastics of Maryland, USA.  The club has  a long history of exchanges with the Clarks club, with over 53 gymnasts  travelling across the Atlantic over the years and we have had many laughs along the way.

The coach arrived at Redcar Gym Club to take us to Newcastle for the connecting flight to Heathrow. The coaches and children were wearing their new kit, supplied by UGLY DUCK CLOTHING, all red white and blue. We looked so smart throughout the trip the girls were causing a storm, most of all at Heathrow where to pass the time they did straddle hold competitions and mushrooms with Hannah doing her range for the crowds! Sad, but it kept them entertained!

The girls were really good on the flight which passed really quickly, we had cars to pick up at Washington , and a long drive to the 7 bedroomed house we hired, it was awesome, huge with pool and hot tub.  It might have been October but they were going in, flippers, goggles and all!!!  Too cold - hot tub was much better.

We did have our emergencies though Lauren (f) was bitten so badly by Mosquitoes that we had to take her to Accident and Emergency. The ER was nothing like the programme, but more like Sleepy Hollow, Poor Lauren had to have IV antibiotics, and we woke poor mum at 4.30am just to tell her, however Lauren bounced back, and was still managing to do gym.

The Girls had a great surprise; we had booked a Limo Bus to take us to Washington DC to see the Whitehouse and all the other historical buildings. I had wondered if they would be interested but they were so good, we asked questions and they knew the answers. The Limo was great with flashing lights, TV and iPod dock I plugged in and we jumped and Danced to “Move like Jagger” , by Marroon 5, Marsha did her Jagger moves and Imogen Cook was as high as a kite, I’m sure she had been on the flavoured water!  This was certainly the song of the trip.

The gym at Clarks is very much like our own, with a Happy Atmosphere and whole bunch of talented Gymnasts. The girls soon made friends with Don Clark as humerous as he always was, the girls instantly took to him.  After a whole week training and a Halloween Party we moved to New York. We missed the Amtrak we were scheduled on due to unforeseen circumstances but were soon on route to the BIG APPLE, albeit Carole’s Case arrived before us as she had put it on the wrong train lol, but all was returned safely!

NY was amazing; we checked in and quickly got to Times Square - it is amazing only those who see it will understand, and well worth the trip. The girls loved it , the feeling in NY is one of excitement.

We toured on the open top bus, to China Town for handbags and watches and some bracelets (Shush!) and showed the girls Ground Zero. I was pleased to see the girls were interested and most knew all about the disaster, a brand new building is being built and the girls got to see that, we also went up the Empire State Building, ate in Planet Hollywood and had a fabulous time. The last treat was a trip to the theatre on Broadway to see Mary Poppins,

Just getting to this was a mammoth operation, we had to get taxis and hail them in the street, and jump in and get there before 7pm, guess who had  the daftest taxi driver - me, it dropped Jessie, Hannah & Mae and Myself off at 52^nd Street instead of 42^nd Street , oh dear we had to run 10 blocks, through Times Square. If any one said who on earth was that in those red jackets it was us, we held hands ran and dodged for ten blocks, l but we made it only to find the show had started but what a laugh. Jessie at the helm, followed by Mae, Hannah and myself being dragged so funny, a great memory.

The show was great but sad as it was our last night, what a great time we had and made some amazing memories, thank you to all the Coaches at Redcar Gym Club who went to  USA, and to those behind who covered us all for their kindness, and to the parents for paying!

I think we have some very very lucky girls, roll on the next exchange to USA.