Rick McCharles — Coach
With over 30 years experience in Head Coaching and leadership roles, Rick McCharles — from Altadore Gymnastics Club in Calgary, Canada — is an enthusiast dedicated to the sport and activity of gymnastics.
A motivator and communicator, Rick fosters fun through hard work in the gym. He believes that gymnastics is the greatest sport in the world. His philosophy is to provide a safe gym sanctuary where all can work towards their potential, set and achieve goals, and get super fit.
Rick has a wealth of diverse coaching experience including Artistic gymnastics (men and women at club and University level), Trampoline, Acrobatic tumbling and more. He is an expert in recreational gymnastics, an expert in developmental gymnastics and a principle developing coach of a number of international gymnasts including 1992 Olympian Jennifer Wood and Olympic alternate Davide Bardana. Many of Rick’s athletes have received scholarships to Universities in Canada and the USA.
Rick has a BPE in Physical Education and the highest level of certification as a sports coach possible in Canada. Many years a Master Course Conductor with Gymnastics Canada, Rick coaches the coaches across Canada in intensive week-long accreditation courses. He trains new course instructors as well and edits the best gymnastics coaching website on the internet: GymnasticsCoaching.com
The latest project is dedicated to non-competitive gymnastics: RecGymnastics.com
Rick has also been a contributing editor to many of Canada’s coach education guides. He has been a gymnastics lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan.
Many of Rick’s athletes and assistants over the years have stayed in the sport contributing as coaches, judges and volunteers. Canadian Men’s Olympic Coach in Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004), Kelly Manjak, was Rick’s assistant coach for 10 years. By 2003, Rick was Kelly’s assistant coach.
Rick uses computer technology and the internet to help promote our sport.
He is a popular guest coach overseas having led major courses in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, Bangladesh and Cambodia. He instructs FIG Olympic Solidarity courses.

Rick McCharles — Builder
Rick McCharles is a builder; he has founded gymnastics clubs; designed competitive programs; worked as a volunteer in many Gymnastics Canada decision-making committees; planned major competitions; worked for the regional Sports Governing Administration, and more.
He believes that the leaders of today are trustees of the future. The groundwork we fix today decides the quality of the program for years to come. We must consider the legacy we leave with every decision taken.

Rick was Head Coach of Can-Am. Photo 1997.
Rick was born in 1957 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is single, fit and healthy. Hobbies include the internet, fitness, hiking and the outdoors. Rick loves to travel.
Indeed, he’s traveled 55 countries. And visits 40-50 gyms a year. He’s a consultant to Cirque du Soleil. And an Ambassador for Tumbl Trak.
Email Rick_McCharles {AT} Gmail.com


I really appreciate the work of Rick Charles and i hope he can one day travel down to Africa so that we African gymnastics coach can benefit from his great idea and innovation,Moreover i will like to know more about rick work and if there is any course a African woman coach can attend to boost our coaching knowledge.
Pingback: confirmed – Kyle Shewfelt clinic VEGAS — Gymnastics Coaching.com
I live in Calgary, AB and have a 5 year old son who loves gymnastics. He is small, very flexible and strong. Which gym club/coach would you best recommend?
My g/f has the same question regarding her 8 year old. She would like a competitive program…
Thank you very much in advance,
Jennifer Brophy
I’ll email you on that, Jennifer.
Hi Rick. Wanted to update you on Dar’s latest adventure. There was an article about it in Neighbours today. Thought it might be worth sharing to you network…
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Calgarian+summer+camp+orphanage+Tanzania/4769255/story.html
Pingback: GymFest in the West!!! « Renmore Gymnastics Club
Pingback: Thank you Rick McCharles! « Renmore Gymnastics Club
Pingback: A New Friend | Trampoline Pundit
Hi Rick im very excited to see you at our “meet the coach night” on sunday!
And i hope you can stay at our gym for a very long time, i’m excited for yourcoaching!
See you SOON, Cindy.