Competitive Programs

Marble Gymnastics offer Men’s and Women's Provincial, National, High Performance Program for competitive gymnasts. These programs are for boys and girls age 5 and above.

If you are interested in Competitive Program, please contact the Club Director at (604) 585-8828 to make an appointment. Entry by assessment.

Marble Gymnastics' Training Philosophy

Mada Li, the competitive program director and head coach of Marble Gymnastics, was a member of the Chinese National team before he came to Canada in 2006. Mada help produced some high level competitors that competed nationally. Here are some of Mada’s thoughts:

"On the surface, the philosophy and fundamental structure between the Canadian and Chinese systems are very different. In fact, many think the two systems can never be reconciled. After coaching here in Canada for a few years, I see opportunities that haven’t been realized - I believe that a fusion of the best from two opposites is possible."

In Marble Gymnastics, we aim to achieve high standards with emphasis on safety, respect, fun and motivation by doing the following:

• Solid base-builds and progressions - We aim for a continuum from recreation to competitive so that beginners classes are both fun and challenging and build towards high level skills. We have a vocabulary of over 100 skills for beginners that reinforce and develop the base attributes required.
• Optimization –We plan to optimize the effect of each training session for all levels by:
  • Correct skill and attribute development over a number of years so that requirements are there when required.
  • Respecting recovery cycles of the body and mind so that a gymnast is always focused and training at a 100%. This avoids burnt out and injuries caused by physical or mental fatigue.
• Individualization – Each athlete has his/her own individual needs and challenges. We are ready to find new ways to help an athlete. We think a systematic way of identifying strengths and weaknesses throughout our classes will help develop better gymnasts and make the sport safer in the long run.

Information about Men's Artistic Gymnastics

There are six events in men’s artistic gymnastics. Click on the picture to see a brief description of the event.

Floor Exercise	Pommel Horse	Rings	Vault	Parallel Bars	Horizontal Bars

Floor Exercise

Floor Exercise

The floor exercise includes a variety of tumbling, turns, acrobatics, balances, and momentary pauses. The sequences should be original and reveal the strength, agility, control, and personality of the athlete, all with correct form and execution.

Pommel Horse

Pommel Horse

Swings, scissors, circles, and flairs, both forward and backward, compose a routine on the pommel horse. The routine should be continuous and use all three sections of the horse, both on and off of the pommels. Clean lines and fluid execution can make the pommel horse one of the most impressive and graceful of the men’s events.

Rings

Rings

A routine on the rings will contain elements varying between strength elements, hold parts, and swinging movements, all without swinging of the rings. A high clean, controlled dismount finishes the routine. One of the most demanding of the men’s events, the rings are an obvious test of strength, power, and endurance.

Vault

Vault

The men’s vault is judged on form, execution, height, distance, and control, all based on the difficulty of the vault performed. The men perform one vault only and each vault has an element number which is displayed to the judges before the performance.

Parallel Bars

Parallel Bars

The parallel bars routine consists of swinging, flight and strength elements. The swinging and flight moves predominate in a top class routine, with no more than three stops permitted during the exercise. Form and execution must be maintained throughout, while displaying strength and control.

Horizontal Bars

Horizontal Bar

The horizontal bar, or high bar, routine is traditionally the most exciting of all men’s events. Swings, circles, “in bar” elements, release moves, and a high-flying dismount make up a spectacular performance. As in every event, control of form and execution is a must, while at the same time showing courage and determination.

Information about Women's Artistic Gymnastics

Women's artistic gymnastics consists of four events: Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise.

The followings are the brief description of each event:

Vault

The Vault should have height and distance, as well as good form from the springboard through to the landing. There are four different categories of vaults: Handsprings, Forward Salto, Backward Salto, and Round-Off Entry.

Uneven Bars

The routine should be continuous, with movements flowing one into another. Swinging movements, in sequence, take the gymnast under and over the bars in both directions. Position of support, standing, or sitting, should be momentary.

Balance Beam

The 16'long 4" wide balance beam requires great concentration and discipline from the athlete. The Composition of the routine should include combinations of turns, jumps, steps & leaps, tumbling, and dance.

Floor Exercise

Dance and tumbling ability, combined with the creativity and personality of the athlete, make floor one of the most popular of the gymnastics events. Performed to music, the routine must use the entire 40`x 40` floor area in the 70 to 90 second time limit.