Most Popular Post

Saturday 25 February 2023

Canada Winter Games 2023

We left by 8 a.m. to arrive in Charlottetown an hour before the start of games of the day and bought tickets for the women’s individual trampoline competition. One of our granddaughters began gymnastics this past year and was particularly interested in the competition. All of the children were excited to attend the games.





When we settled into the stands at the right of the Eastlink centre, the practice jumps were underway. The kids were fascinated with the set-up, the trampolines, the teams, the height achieved by the competitors. 





Then we moved to the left side where the competition was held.


Two trampolines, the judges, 





the flags representing the provinces and territories of Canada were in place as the first of two groups of nine competitors warmed up after the national anthem.





The stands on our side of the centre were full of supporters of the various teams. Sadly Prince Edward Island did not have any gymnasts in the competition but since we are people of eastern Canadian islands, we cheered for Newfoundland and Labrador. However we really cheered for everyone as did all of the spectators.


The height achieved by the competitors on the trampoline was impressive, some getting as high as the lights behind them on the opposite side of the centre. 





With the height, competitors also needed control to stay on the white part of the trampoline while doing spins, flips and twirls. These girls were fearless!


Our granddaughters were fascinated with the competition. Our five year old grandson was interested but became squirmy after an hour or so. His comment, “I’m here for the lunch,” summed it up for him. He enjoyed seeing Wowquis, pronounced Whoa-quis, the mascot for the games. The name is the Mi’kmaq* name for red fox. 





I was interested in watching the audience too. Lots of grandparents were in attendance, their grey hair shining under the lights. 





While their descendants competed, you could see the tension, then joy as their young women completed their routines. The seniors erupted in cheers as did the provincial groups such as this group of Nova Scotians. 





We sat among Newfoundlanders, Quebecers and Saskatchewanians.


Some competitors in these games will go on to represent Canada at various sports in other competitions. Some, like Heather Moyse from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, may win gold medals at the Olympics. Heather won her medals in bobsled though she competed in track at the Canada Games in the 1990s.


However, all of the 3600+ athletes in this competition are already winners, in their own provinces but in many other ways too. Their discipline, hard work and sportsmanship will hold them in good stead for a lifetime. And besides, imagine the fun!


*Mi’kmaq are the First Nations people of Prince Edward Island, or as they called it, Abegweit, land cradled in the waves.


Competitors:









Well done, young women!


38 comments:

Hena Tayeb said...

Wow.. such talented women.

Boud said...

That height is terrifying! It must have been a great experience for the grandchildren. I hope lunch lived up to expectations!

Pam said...

Great pics.

DJan said...

That would have been amazing to watch. I was glad to see how they had soft bolsters all around the trampolines. :-)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

That was a good event to attend! Some of these young women may represent Canada at the Olymbics some day!

peppylady (Dora) said...

I'm not sure where the close trampoline competition would be for me.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Catarina said...

That was a fabulous experience!

At Home In New Zealand said...

Watching those young ladies must have been fascinating, and watching the crowd must have been too! Hope you all enjoyed your lunch afterwards :)

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I would've enjoyed seeing that. It's always amazing to see top sports stars up close - you just can't appreciate the level of skill involved on TV. I was once at a money-raising event which had been opened by a top soccer player. There was a Beat-the-Goalie competition taking place when the ball bounced over to where the soccer star was signing autographs: he "caught" the ball on his left foot, glanced up, and then with his right foot curled the ball into the top corner of the goal some 35 yards away. And all this wearing normal "town shoes".

Helen said...

I love Wowquis too!
What a wonderful experience to share with your Grandchildren.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

They are very talented - and fit too! Judging from your pictures, Marie, there seemed to be very few people in attendance. Were the ticket prices unreasonably high?

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
It looks like a great event to attend with your grandchildren.
The height the girls can go is amazing and frightening, they must be fearless.
The mascot is cute! I wish all the competitors good luck, they work so hard to get to this point. Take care, have a great day and a happy new week.

Marie Smith said...

David,

People we know went for a session, like we did, or a day. The cost was prohibitive for many local people.

Marie

Anvilcloud said...

So well described with warm, appreciative feelings. Sue’s sister was a gymnast into first year university, and we travelled to London, ON from Sarnia to watch her. Then, we brought her to Sarnia for a few days. We crossed the river into Port Huron, MI, for a whopper at Burger King before BK existed here, That was a real treat for her after months of careful eating to maintain her competitive edge.

MARY G said...

Fun taking photos in gymnasium light conditions - with no flash allowed as that is bad for the athletes. At least, at that level, there is an official video being taken and therefore the lighting is better.
A lot of movement in trampoline. You did amazingly well. And I bet your female grandkids would like rhythmic gymnastics a lot as well.
I had a daughter and grandkid in gymnastics competition, in case you wondered.
Glad the games were well attended, and yeah, lots of grandparents, like, sigh, me. Also hockey for grandsons. Even harder.

baili said...

Oh thank you so much for sharing this dear Marie

I used to watch lots of gymnastics show on TV. I would find that performances by young pretty girls just breathtaking.

How amazing one of your granddaughter is learning gymnastics. Hope in far future we will be seeing her as well :)

If I remember correctly trampoline was not back then though various kinds of jumping and interesting acts.
Hugs and blessings

Bill said...

Amazing photos of the competitors. Looks like that would be a fun time to attend the event or as your grandson said, "I'm here for the lunch." :)

Debbie said...

this sounds so exciting and i LOVED the event details that you shared. the white area of the trampoline is not that large, the girls must have wonderful control!!

you got some great pictures, i really enjoyed this!!!

Celia said...

I'd love to have seen that. I would have cheered for everyone too. What great young people. Hope the lunch was good. :-)

William Kendall said...

Quite an event to take in.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Breath taking heights to jump to! It looks like a lot of fun.

Maebeme said...

My daughter competed in tumbling and trampoline as a teenager, and worked as a gymnastic coach for a number of years. I remember she had a t-shirt that read something along the lines of "90 seconds, ten tricks and they say hockey is hard". It is amazing to me the height they can reach and the number of flips they manage in the air.

Thanks for sharing the photos - it brought back memories of being at the gym waiting for her turn on the trampoline. :)

photowannabe said...

Oh, I do love going to those competitions, especially gymnastics.
We went to the Montreal Olympics and to many of the field events leading up to various Olympics.
I appreciate all the really hard work and discipline that is involved.
I'm so glad you got to attend and that your grandkids enjoyed it too, especially your grandson and his wanting Lunch!
Sue

margi said...

Great pictures! It must have been a great experience for your grandchildren. It's always amazing to see high level sport competitors.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Sounds like a talented group of women and especially when a granddaughter is participating makes it even more exciting.

The Padre said...

Wonderful - Thank You So Much For Making The Effort - The Grandkids Will Never Forget This Trip - Well Done My Friend - And Fabulous Photos For Sure

Cheers

Liz Hinds said...

What a great experience to be to go and watch them. How high do they jump?!!!!

John's Island said...

What a neat post. Thanks for taking us along. Images #3 and #5 … I just can’t believe how high those young women were above the trampoline. Yes, I had a trampoline when I was just a kid. But I never got anywhere close to that high. 😊 I appreciate the info on the Mi’kmaq … the First Nations people of Prince Edward Island. Enjoyed every single photo. Nice work Marie!

Anita said...

oh what a great competition!thos girs are amazing!Good photoes of the event:)))

Barwitzki said...

How nice.
I checked right away :-) The are Canada for the Winter Games until March 5th.
I would also like to see this competition. Unbelievable to see something like this in the original... I know such competitions from gymnastics, e.g. vault, rings, horizontal bar, parallel bars... just great. I wish your granddaughter lots of fun and success in gymnastics. Two of my grandchildren are also gymnasts :-)) and on the 12th I'll be a spectator at the competition again.
Kind regards and thank you for your great photos.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Those are truly scary heights that the young ladies are achieving. Yikes!!

MONK said...

"Tremendous article! I really appreciate the depth and clarity of your writing."
ittelkom jakarta

Debbie said...

i hope you are doing well and enjoying the games!!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

What a wonderful thing to experience right in PEI! Amazing to see all the hard working athletes perform. Thank you for taking us along with you!

Haddock said...

Lovely pictures (and experience) I liked the one where all the flags are hanging.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The winter games sounds like a fun event for the whole family. I like teh cute fox mascot. Congrats to all the athletes. Maybe one day your granddaughter will be competing. Take care, have a great weekend.

Lea said...

Amazing!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Down by the sea said...

A lovely thing to support, had to smile at your grandson's remarks! My son always used to concentrate on lunch too! Sarah x