Parents Looking for Elite-Level Daytime Gym Options in South Carolina

[ZB1020]

Hi everyone,
We recently had to move back to South Carolina (currently in the Myrtle Beach area), and I’m trying to find the best fit for my daughter to continue elite or upper-level gymnastics training during the day.

She’s a Gold-level gymnast who previously trained at an elite gym before our move. Since returning, we’ve found a few local gyms, but unfortunately they don’t quite offer the level of quality, coaching, or structure she’s used to. As a result, she’s starting to regress — she’s lost her back walkover on beam, jump to high bar, and her under swing/straddle dismount — and I want to get her back in the right environment to rebuild her confidence and progress.

We’re open to commuting within South Carolina or even parts of North Carolina if it means finding a true elite developmental program or a gym that offers daytime training options for advanced gymnasts.

If anyone has recommendations, knows of programs with strong coaching for upper-optionals or elite prep, or can connect us with someone in that space, I’d be so grateful.

Thank you so much!

 

[BusyMomof2]

Perhaps things might be different in your state (we're also in the south, region 8) but when I was looking for a day program for my level 6 last year (she went to a flexible school for non-gymnastics reasons) - we had a hard time finding anyone that would take her at level 6 into a day program. The programs want girls who are truly on the elite/upper optionals path and she wasn't there yet and does not have elite aspirations. You might find the Gold level to be a challenge.

In our state, gold -> level 6 is a pretty common path, so maybe look for a gym that could get her to level 6 now so that she can be in their optionals program? Good luck, I hope you find what you're looking for!

 

[AlexandraU16]

Can I ask how old she is? A 7 year old gold is a very different thing than a 10/11 year old as far as likely trajectory etc. Was she competing xcel as a path to optionals instead of compulsory or was she placed on a “true xcel” team? If she was identified as an elite trajectory gymnast at her previous gym I wonder if they could be helpful in using their connections and knowledge to help find a good fit for her somewhat locally to where you are now? I am definitely not trying to dream squash! I know the difficulties of finding high quality training in areas with limited access. I wish I could help with a specific gym.

 

[ZB1020]

Can I ask how old she is? A 7 year old gold is a very different thing than a 10/11 year old as far as likely trajectory etc. Was she competing xcel as a path to optionals instead of compulsory or was she placed on a “true xcel” team? If she was identified as an elite trajectory gymnast at her previous gym I wonder if they could be helpful in using their connections and knowledge to help find a good fit for her somewhat locally to where you are now? I am definitely not trying to dream squash! I know the difficulties of finding high quality training in areas with limited access. I wish I could help with a specific gym.

 

[ZB1020]

She’s turning 7 and was on track to test out of Levels 4 and 5 to move into Level 6 next season. That was the trajectory her coaches had planned before we moved. Unfortunately, her previous gym hasn’t been very helpful in connecting us to a new program — they only provided a list of questions to ask, and when I asked them, we were told “yes” but saw something very different in practice.





We’re just trying to find a program that truly supports her potential and maintains the same level of training quality she was used to.

 

[BusyMomof2]

She’s turning 7 and was on track to test out of Levels 4 and 5 to move into Level 6 next season. That was the trajectory her coaches had planned before we moved. Unfortunately, her previous gym hasn’t been very helpful in connecting us to a new program — they only provided a list of questions to ask, and when I asked them, we were told “yes” but saw something very different in practice.





We’re just trying to find a program that truly supports her potential and maintains the same level of training quality she was used to.

Have you asked to have her evaluated for level 4 instead of Gold? That might help get you to the type of training you are looking for. Sounds like she was trained Gold in place of compulsory which as you probably know is different than Gold as "intended". Not sure where you moved from but in region 8, xcel in place of compulsory is super common! If a gym has both tracks and you have her trying out in Gold, it sounds like it will feel different than what she is used to.

Also - does she know the level 4 compulsory routines yet? Score outs are happening right now for the upcoming season if that's a possibility for you.

 

[AlexandraU16]

Have you asked to have her evaluated for level 4 instead of Gold? That might help get you to the type of training you are looking for. Sounds like she was trained Gold in place of compulsory which as you probably know is different than Gold as "intended". Not sure where you moved from but in region 8, xcel in place of compulsory is super common! If a gym has both tracks and you have her trying out in Gold, it sounds like it will feel different than what she is used to.

Also - does she know the level 4 compulsory routines yet? Score outs are happening right now for the upcoming season if that's a possibility for you.

Sounds like she isn’t seven yet so would have to wait a bit to score out