As she does warmup stretches on a mat in her Langford living room, flexing her tiny body into shapes most adults wouldn’t dream of attempting, it’s clear Katie Evans is cut out for rhythmic gymnastics.
The 11-year-old Grade 6 Spencer middle school student, one of four Victoria Rhythmic Gymnastics members competing at the B.C. Winter Games next week in Penticton, picks up a sparkly ball.
She shifted to rhythmic only about a year ago, having done the traditional artistic gymnastics for a few years.
“I like that you get to do different routines with different apparatus ... The ball is my favourite,” she says, tossing the sphere in the air. In a high-ceilinged gym she’d throw the ball high and catching it between movements.
For those who see rhythmic gymnastics simply as “that sport where they use ribbons,” Katie points out that depending on one’s level, apparatus also include rope, clubs, a hoop and a free routine that is much like ballet. She’ll also compete with the hoop and in the free routine at the Games.
The Winter Games fall right in the middle of competition season for her sport. The Island championships follow the week after Penticton, then provincials happen the first weekend in April.
During the week she trains with her Shoreline Community School-based club 12 hours per week in three sessions. She practises another three to four hours a week at home. “The key in rhythmic is really around flexibility; core strength and flexibility,” said Katie’s dad Morgan.
At the Games, Katie will be focused on her events – her goal is to finish on the podium – but she’s excited to participate in non-competitive activities, too. “I think it’ll be cool to see some of the athletes,” she says. “I want to watch some of the other sports, like skating.”
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