|
|
Fantastically fit and effusively fun, the National Danish Performance Team for 2003-04 literally wowed spectators at Massaponax High School.
Explosions of color, humor and unique choreography captured the audience, causing occasional "lung-ful" intakes of breathless wonder.
"I thought it was amazing. I didn't think it would be this good," enthused Jessica Torrance after the performance.
The young ones, sitting on the gym floor for an up-close view, were mesmerized by the performance.
"Awesome," 9-year-old Kyra Trowbridge said about the gymnasts and the routines.
March 27 was the group's grand finale here in Virginia before heading to Washington, D.C. for its next stop.
Different Styles"I want to show the world what our kind of gymnastics is," explained gymnast Elke Brons, 25. She started in gymnastics because she wanted to have "fun, to feel good and get healthy."
"The Danish definition of gymnastics is a completely different animal than what we see in our country," said Paragon Gymnastic's owner Ken Wood and host for the National Danish gymnastics team.
"The main goal [of the team]," said team manager Andeis Christian Amstrup, "is to promote an awareness of Danish gymnastic traditions and give an understanding of Danish culture."
With the Danish population at 5 million, 1.3 million are members of the Danish Gymnastic and Sports Association.
"A lot of people do gymnastics because they want to keep the body fit and for social networking," Amstrup said.
Where American gymnasts are concerned with the competitive side of the sport, Danish gymnasts focus on the fun of the activity.
Sharing these ideas is the focus of the group's worldwide travels.
Determined commitmentWhile versatility and flexibility is a must, endurance is as well.
The team prepared for its worldwide tour with five weeks of training, seven days a week, eight to 10 hours a day.
While there are several teams in the association, the national travel team is made up of the most skilled gymnasts, said Amstrup.
And, they are committed. The gymnasts pay $5,000 each to tour, and auditions are intense.
More than 200 tried out for the 28 spots. Plus, after competitors were whittled down, an interview was conducted.
"It's important to have the right personality," said Amstrup. "It's quite tough when traveling around the world. You have to accept a lot from others."
"Your friends will see your good days, and your friends will see your bad days," explained gymnast Thomas Bojsen. One of the benefits of the travel team is learning to compromise.
Brons said you learn "what it takes to work together."
The group has been on tour since Sept. 15, 2003, and will not end the tour until July of this year.
The money necessary to get the team to its numerous destinations is extensive. The association allotted close to $2 million for this season's 11-month tour.
Lasting relationshipsWood found out about the team in an unusual way a few years ago from an e-mail.
"It was a plea for help," he said. A Danish traveling team had broken down near Washington, D.C., didn't have a place to stay and was all-around in dire circumstances.
Wood responded to the call, and when the group got back to Denmark, news about the American "Samaritan" spread across the seas as well.
Some of the team members told what he had done for them--the rest is history.
With plans to continue hosting the group, Wood is excited about the exposure children have to the fun side of physical activity, plus the cultural introduction to another country.
The team went to eight area schools, doing a small routine and answering questions after each performance.
Wood paid $10,000 for the team to visit and perform here. "As long as I can break close to even, I'll continue," said Wood. While running $2,000 in deficit--despite generous contributions from local businesses this year and ticket sales for the grand finale--he was still enthusiastic.
"Anybody that comes this time will come next time, because [the team] is so good," he said.
Chalee Carmichael agreed. She had come to the last performance two years ago, but was even more impressed this time.
"They were really good [before]," she said, "but this year's show was better, more creative."
"I thought it was absolutely fantastic, absolutely tremendous," said Lucy Ignarro. Was it what she expected? "Even more."
For more information about the National Danish Performance Team visit its Web site, dgi.dk/ndpt.
To reach REBEKAH ELLIOTT 540/374-5000 ext. 5524 relliott@freelancestar.com