Held on 18 June and generously sponsored by Standard Bank, the past weekend was a beehive of activities in the beautiful indoor sportshall of Walvis Bay. On schedule with the NGF year calendar the Western Zone competitors were ready for this competition, consisting of artistic women and artistic men gymnastics, women (4) apparatus and men (6) apparatus.

Saturday saw rhythmic sportive 2nd qualification in different age groups and on different levels. For rhythmic sportive there are 5 different handapparatus that have to be handled as prescribed, e.g. ball, hoop, ribbon, clubs and rope. Panels of judges must go through a judges course in order to evaluate the different exercises to determine the winners.

Parallell with the rhythmic competition, the tumbling competition started, also divided into various age groups and levels. It needs to be mentioned that a tumbler can also take part in double mini trampoline as well as Euro trampoline competition. He/ she may, however, not compete in the Mini Trampoline competition. All in all 50 competing boys and girls showed their skills and received diplomas and medals.

A special highlight was the per-formance of the double mini trampoline and synchronised jumps on the Euro trampoline. Only 5 boys and 1 girl from Walvis Bay did compete in this item, since they have the necessary apparatus.

The public was delighted to see Nolan Angermund, currently a student at the University of Pretoria, in action showing what he is up to, while preparing for the World Championships in Rotterdam (Netherlands) on 15 and 16 September.

Mini trampoline saw 11 competitors of the age groups 8/U; 9/U; 10/U, Gymnasts from Windhoek, Swakop-mund and Walvis Bay showed their abilities.

The highlight of the Euro Trampoline competition were the gymnasts of the Agegroup division. At the tender age of 8 years, Riz Zimmermann (SKW) showed spectacular tricks with a score of 52 points and high risk difficulties. He received the Gold medal. The 11/12 age group saw William Prosser of Walvis Bay with a neat performance and high degree of difficulty receiving ta total mark of 55.70 and the Gold medal.

13/14 age group veteran performer Carel-David Rautenbach delighted the public with a total mark of 57.60 and also the Gold medal. His team mate Armand Nell had a bit of a mishap, although performing well.

Over 15 and senior and Senior: both boys from Walvis Bay, Frikkie Botes, and Nolan Angermund showed breathtaking routines. Frikkie received 53.4 and Niolan 61.10 points.Finally, only two girls are ready for this very high standard of performance. Janine Joosten (Walvis Bay, 54.80 points) and Simone Olivier, who was a bit unlucky in her execution.

The current womens‘ champion, Alicia Boucher (Walvis Bay), who is very experienced, showed beautiful flight elements and added up 52.10 points.

Finally, the Novice section 10/U had 7 participants from SKW and Walvis Bay. In the group 11/12 years, the rwo competitors Giovany Louw (Walvis Bay, 47.5) and Nicolay Jaeger (SKW, 46 points) showed big progress since last year.

Girls 10/U: The twins Jessica and Nadine Jaeger (both SKW) ended up in Gold for Jessica and Silver for Nadine.

Michelle Solomons (WBGC) was the only participant in age group 11/12 and she won the Gold medal with a mark of 50.7.

The next qualifying competition will again be held in Walvis Bay on Saturday, 9 July 2005. A judges course for trampoline will be held in the SKW on 14 and 15 July. On the same weekend, a rhythmic competition will be held in the big hall of SKW.