Acro

What is Acrobatic Gymnastics?

Acrobatic gymnastics (previously called Sport Acrobatics and nicknamed "Acro") is a competitive partner sport combining the strength, flexibility and technical precision of gymnastics with the grace and musicality of dance as well as the trust and camaraderie of a dedicated partnership.

This gymnastics discipline is governed by USAG and follows the same levels of traditional gymnastics – levels 4-10 and elite.

All acrobats perform in pairs or groups:

women's pairs (two girls);

men's pairs (two boys);

mixed pairs (a male base and a female top);

women's groups (three girls);

men's groups/quad (four boys).

Each pair or group competes routines individually choreographed for that particular group. Routines include partner skills, gymnastics elements and tumbling.

For more information, go to http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/pages/acro/index.html

Acrobatic Gymnastics at 1^st Class Gymnastics

1^st Class Gymnastics has quickly rose as one of the top teams in the nation for acrobatic gymnastics. Our athletes have won national and international gold medals and have been awarded spots on the USA National Team. Our program begins at the pre-team level and continues through the competitive team up to our international track athletes.

For more information on our acro team programs please email coach Sarah Thomas at sarah@sportsacrobatics.info

Our Coaches

Sarah Thomas

Sarah began her acro coaching career in 2001 by pioneering the first acro team in San Antonio, Texas. By 2004 she had produced her first national team members and international medalists. Since 2004, Sarah’s athletes have consistently won national titles, national team placements and international medals including gold. After moving back to her hometown of Crofton, MD, she started the acro team at 1^st Class Gymnastics. She is the current Junior Olympic Committee Chair for Region 7 and was named Coach of the Year in 2009. Sarah recently attended the prestigious FIG International Coaching Course at the famed Cirque du Soleil training center in Montreal, Canada where she was honored as valedictorian of her class. Sarah is also a judge of acrobatic gymnastics and holds a National Superior rating.

Amy Grear

Amy was a competitive acrobat from 1995 to 2002 competing at the elite and international level. After retiring from competition Amy began her coaching career in 2003, placing athletes on the USA Gymnastics Acrobatic Junior Olympic and Senior National teams and earning medals at international competitions. Amy is also an accomplished choreographer and holds BA in Dance from the University of MD. Amy also attended the prestigious FIG International Coaching Course and is the current Region 7 Technical Committee Chair. Amy is also a judge of acrobtic gymnastics and holds a National rating.

Marcus Flom

Marcus is a tumbling specialist who plays an intregal role in our gymnasts training. He brings over 25 years of experience in performing and coaching gymnastics to our program. Taking a cerebral approach to teaching he has infused learning techniques that encourage the child to reach new heights in the development of skills.

Belinda Watson
Belinda was a competitive artistic gymnast for 7 years before switching to acrobatic gymnastics. She is a 2-time member of the US National Acrobatic Gymnastics team and represented the USA at the 12th Annual Sachenpokal Tournament in Reisa, Germany this past spring where she won the gold medal with her partner. She was named "Athlete of the Year" in 2010 and was the silver medalist at the 2010 National Championships. Belinda balances both coaching and competing and has proven to be an integral part of our coaching team.