Flic Flac Gymnastics Club's 1st Autumn National Invitational 2008Chorley, LancashireBicester were the "underdogs" when they travelled the 200 miles up to Eccleston, Lancashire. They would be competing against clubs who train in their own dedicated facilities with sprung floors and equipment set out ready for training as they walk in. As the gymnasts were due to compete at the Oxfordshire Individual Apparatus Championships the following weekend both coaches and gymnasts were not taking this competition too seriously and using it more as a warm up comp.With Blackpool Pleasure Beach only 40 minutes away it was a chance to get in some quality leisure time the night before. Gemma, who was already suffering with a bad back, slipped on the wet floor in the bathroom of her hotel while getting ready to go out. She hobbled to the Pleasure Beach and managed to brave several of the "White Knuckle" rides. It took some coaxing by Daisy, Harriet and Glenn to get her on the "Bling", a ride that spins you and flips you upside down on the end of a giant arm that swings and rotates vertically. Glenn was just as apprehensive as Gemma but, had to show he wasn't scarred otherwise how could he later say "I know it's scarry but you need to face your fears." After the initial turns and spins it wasn't that bad and we all survived. Gemma actually went back for a second time. We had trouble getting Daisy and Harriet to stop as they shut down the rides in the park. Gemma's dad even braved the carousel. Sunday the 12th October we managed to find our way to Flic Flac's club and meet up with the rest of the gymnasts from Bicester and actually brought home a Silver and 5 Bronze medals.
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