A family affair

Cody Penner and his sister, Emily, are young gymnasts from Cranbrook who will make up half of the Kootenay Zone team at the BC Winter Games. They have both been active members and participants at the Key City Gymnastics Club—Emily for five years and Cody for seven years—where they have been coached by Gary and Michelle Ricks. Their mother, Priscilla, coaches at the same facility. In fact, gymnastics is a family affair: Priscilla—a BC Games participant in 1987 and 1991—met Cody and Emily's father, Dan Penner, when they were both training in gymnastics. And Cody and Emily's older brother, Clinton, is now coaching gymnastics.
For 12-year-old Cody, the best part of competing in gymnastics is simple.
"The medals," he said.
Nine-year-old Emily is a bit more philosophical about the appeal.
"I like it for the fun and experience," she said. "I like doing tricks: flips and twists. I'm really good at bars; it's my favourite."
The uneven bars are one of the more spectacular events in gymnastics; the gymnasts perform various routines that will include kips—a way of mounting the bar with a flip—swings, giant swings, handstands and dismounts. Emily is currently working on improving her skill on the giants in preparation for the games. As a level four gymnast, she'll be taking part in all gymnastics events for female competitors—the vault, balance beam, uneven bars and floor. Emily will be one of the youngest competitors in the gymnastics event, but she is working hard in order to represent her team and her zone with pride.
Cody's favourite event is the high bar, an event that only male gymnasts compete in, that uses many of the same basic elements as the uneven bars—including kips and giants—and is also graded on various turns, releases and regrasps, grips and dismount. The fact that it is Cody's favourite is made even more remarkable when one learns that only last summer, Cody suffered a head injury when he lost his grip during a giant swing.
"I'm particularly proud of this guy," said Priscilla about Cody. "He was flung off (the high bar), hit (a nearby) wall, went straight down and had a serious concussion. He was hospitalized for bit. (Emily) actually watched it so she was traumatized, and for him to get a giant back—for both of them (to compete)—I'm very proud."
Cody and Emily are both looking forward to the BC Winter Games. Although they regularly compete throughout the season—earning several medals along the way—the Games gives them a chance to take part in a province-wide competition where the participants represent the best in their field. Priscilla said having two of her children making of half of the team representing the Kootenay zone is a great thrill for the entire family.