Category: gymnastics

headed for London …

On By Rick McIn gymnastics, travelLeave a comment

Just confirmed. I’m soon off to the London Prepares Series Gymnastics Test Event at the same venue hosting the 2012 Olympics.

I’m NOT going to the Olympics themselves. This is the next best thing.

This competition is a run through for the Organizing Committee. Athletes will be qualifying in Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline gymnastics. It’s important.

I’ll be MEDIA covering the action for my Gymnastics blog.

… I’m still looking for inexpensive accommodation. Contact me if you know of any Couch Surfing or floors I can crash upon. I’ll have full camping gear.

gymnastics FEAR FACTOR

On By Rick McIn gymnasticsLeave a comment

For the first time I’m attending Dave Adlard’s New Years festivities in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

One of the long weekend events involves gross food — and acrobatic challenges. In this one you try to throw cheezies so they stick to the whipcreamed face of your partner.

During the obstacle course, your opponents can try to blast you off the beam with Exercise Balls.

… It’s difficult to describe this mayhem in words. See a few more photos.

Coaches, friends and family won’t soon forget this party. It’s a competition, too. Of those who finished every contest, I believe I finished LAST ALL-AROUND. 🙂

arrived Boracay …

On By Rick McIn gymnastics, travel2 Comments

My week long Gymnastics Coaching course in Manila ended, I planned to bus to the rugged mountains of the northern Philippines for hiking.

… yet somehow I ended up here.

Boracay seems to be a Russian resort, judging by the most spoken language on the beach.

It’s a second rater:

… “Travelers’ Choice 2011” by TripAdvisor as the second best beach (out of 25) in the world. Boracay made a debut appearance on the Top 10 Islands list in the Travel + Leisure travel magazine World’s Best Awards 2011, ranking fourth. …

Hong Kong and Philippines

On By Rick McIn gymnastics, hiking, travelLeave a comment

I’m flying to Hong Kong today, invited to watch a major Chinese domestic gymnastics competition. I’ll be there for about 10 days.

Already booked to hike with a local day #1.

And my first trip to Manilla has been confirmed. I’ll be volunteer teaching a gymnastics clinic Nov. 30 – Dec 5th for the IOC. … And staying on a couple of weeks on my own.

It’s Christmas on the left coast for the first time. My parents are hosting in Parksville.

Shiro Tanaka

On By Rick McIn food, friends, gymnastics3 Comments

It’s been over 25yrs since I last saw one of my gymnastics mentors. (One of us is losing his hair.)

We finally got together last night in his home town, Osaka, to catch up on old times. Shiro took me to this famous and historic restaurant.

It looks old, but is actually located in a brand new and modern shopping centre. They’ve kept the same look and décor as decades ago.

turning Japanese

On By Rick McIn Cirque du Soleil, gymnastics, hiking, travel1 Comment

The World Gymnastics Championships have ended. After 14 intense, emotional days … what next?

I’m staying on in Tokyo, hanging out with Marceline Goldstein from Montreal. I’ll be assisting her with a Cirque du Soleil audition. And then a second audition in Osaka.

From there … I have a 21-day all-you-can travel rail pass. It will be like the old Eurorail travels of my distant past. I’ll be hiking everywhere the train will take me, happy to be part of the revitalization of the Japanese tourist industry.

Following that, I’m fairly decided to go over to Hong Kong for a week or so. Hiking — and taking in a big domestic Chinese gymnastics competition. Coach Jun Chen has invited me.

And back to chilly North America Nov. 22nd.

Yokohama Harbour by night

On By Rick McIn gymnastics, travel1 Comment

Following the gymnastics competition in Japan, I joined some of the Canadian delegation for dinner and sightseeing.

We were quite impressed.

Yokohama Harbor

Yokohama Tilt Shift

Yokohama Wheel

… Construction of Minato Mirai 21 (“Port Future 21”), a major urban development project on reclaimed land, started in 1983.

… the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. The 860m-long Yokohama Bay Bridge opened in the same year. …

Yokohama

All’s well that ends well. The Canadians were very happy to have come to Yokohama, despite arriving in a Typhoon and experiencing a minor earthquake.

traveling Japan in October

On By Rick McIn Cirque du Soleil, gymnastics, travel1 Comment

Last week I picked up my 3 week Japan Rail Pass. I’m locked and loaded. My Funemployment continues.

Sunday (today) – depart for Seattle
… hike & bike with Doug Davis out of Port Townsend

Thursday – depart Seattle for Tokyo
… Jr International in Yokohama
… World Gymnastics Championships
… assist with 2 Cirque du Soleil auditions
… travel Japan

Nov. 22nd fly back to Seattle
Christmas in Parksville, B.C. with my folks

My main concern, I’m allergic to smokers.

Lausanne, Switzerland

On By Rick McIn gymnastics, photos, travel1 Comment

My laptop returned, I’ve finally been able to post 100 photos from 9+ days in Lausanne for the World Gymnaestrada.

I tented for about $25 / night at Camping Vidy.

Aside from Gymnaestrada, the biggest highlight is the Olympic Museum. Very well done.

Olympic museum statue

It’s a real city of fitness opportunities.

The Metropolitan Area of Lausanne-Geneva is over 1.2 million inhabitants. The headquarters of the International Olympic Committee are located in Lausanne – the IOC officially recognises the city as the Capitale Olympique …

Fond memories …

See more photos.