12 aerialists to compete at the first Coach A Cup on Jan. 28
It began with a friendly aerial silk competition at a residence. The organizer, Janice Velasco Gruenberg, a techie-turned-aerialist, secured a pair of long sheets from the high ceiling so the contestants could climb, wrap, unravel, roll, twist, somersault and drop.
Now it has turned pro. On Jan. 28, Gruenberg is holding a professional competition at Carlos Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza, which will make the event on par with international standards of judging. Dubbed the “Coach A Cup,” it will introduce the Posa (Pole and Aerial Sports Association) Code of Points. It is a system that gives an objective appraisal of routines in pole and aerial routines. It also provides guidance in the choreography of the competition routine; technical information and rules.
The aerialists will be evaluated on the precise and graceful execution of the movements, level of difficulty in the tricks, artistry and showmanship and overall impact. Twelve aerialists will be judged by prominent aerial artists in the country—Kitty Cooper, Stanley Green and Kaylene Ortiz.
Different levels
The contest will consist of beginner, intermediate and elite levels, “Depending on the level, they will be showing flexibility, strength, balance, rotational moves and a drop. It’s like dancing on air with silks (which are nylon or spandex),” explains Gruenberg. “These athletes signed up with their own coach, their aerial silk teacher. Their routines will show the acrobatics and poses which the athlete is good at plus the list of mandatory moves.”
To ensure safety, the apparatus is rigged by professionals, and a crashmat, a thick vinyl fabric, provides cushioning on the floor. Most important, the athlete must have adequate training and strength before clambering on the upper part of the silks.
Gruenberg has made it her advocacy to promote the beauty of aerial silks.
In 2018, Gruenberg, then 47, enrolled in aerial silk lessons to satisfy her creative urges and to balance her work as country manager of Fidelity National Information Services. During the pandemic, she took the intermittent lockdowns as an opportunity to hone her skills. Making use of her 22-foot ceiling, she hung the “silks” and practiced her routines with her husband, Alan, as a spotter. Being athletic and blessed with a keen eye, he assisted her lifts to ensure her safety and also analyzed her movements.
Regardless of age
“My husband is not an aerialist, but I improved a lot because of him. It’s good to have support for you to advance in your passion,” she says. The title of the event, Coach A Cup, is an homage to him.
Gruenberg made use of the quarantine time by joining online programs until she was strong enough to compete. She then received a teacher training certification from Aerial Physique, an international leader in aerial education. She has since joined virtual competitions in Australia, Argentina, the United States and the UK, and has won medals.
Although the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee recognizes aerial silk as a sport, it also considered an art because it also involves expressiveness.
“My dream is to see younger people getting involved. Most aerialists are over 30 because they have the money. Aerial silks is not cheap. A group class is P800 per session while a private session is P3,000 including studio rental. The expenses can be intimidating,” she explains.
This acrobatic sport can be enjoyed regardless of age. At 52, Gruenberg easily executes leg splits and 360-degree turns in the air. Some movements can be modified according to the aerialist’s capacity or age.
“Aerial silks is not as popular as gymnastics, but Filipinos have the build for this,” she says.
For details, contact tel. 0918-9134230.
