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About SBGC

About Santa Barbara Gymnastics Club

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Santa Barbara Gymnastics Club (SBGC) opened in 1975 with Susan Sarmiento teaching children from her backyard, fast forward to today where Sam Sarmiento and Mandie Engel are carrying a legacy forward with their one twist. SB Gym Club's mission is to foster a community of mentally, physically, and spiritually balanced athletes. 

Over the past four decades, SBGC has been committed to encouraging children to strive to become the best they can be.  We realize that all children are different-different physiques, different learning styles, different goals.  However, at SBGC we believe that every child can enjoy ever-greater successes through their participation in our gymnastics, parkour, aerial, cheer and T&T programs.  While the physical benefits of the sport of gymnastics are obvious, we believe that the mental and social aspects of sports participation are just as important.  Teamwork, sportsmanship, goal-setting, perseverance, hard work, prioritizing, focus, dedication, and confronting one’s fears are not only skills needed to succeed in gymnastics - they are skills necessary to succeed in life.  

No matter what program your family chooses, we strive to provide the balance of fun and structure which keep our athletes in the gym for many years - and have many of them returning to coach for us thereafter.  Let us show you the benefits we can provide - gymnastically, and for personal growth!

SBGC Staff

The SBGC staff has been carefully selected on the basis of their knowledge of their sport and expertise in their field.  Most important, however, is their personal integrity and love for children, since at SBGC we want our staff to be good role models for the kids we teach.  Add to that a high level of energy and a positive approach to correction and instruction, and you have the SBGC coach.  

All of our team coaches are USA Gymnastics professional members, which requires safety certification, a background check, and continuing education.  Our staff also receives ongoing training in the gym to maintain the best, most current teaching techniques possible.  Many of our staff are also Red Cross or American Heart Association CPR/First Aid trained.  At SBGC, we want to provide your child with the safest possible training, and one way we can implement this is to provide the best possible coaching staff. 

Our staff members have years of coaching experience.  We are proud that, among our staff members, we have nationally ranked USAG gymnastics and T&T judges.  The added knowledge and training they have received as judges helps our athletes train correctly from the very beginning levels, all the way through our competitive teams.  

Most of our staff were competitive gymnasts themselves, several through the college and elite levels.  This background in our sport allows them to have insights on how to teach skills, since they performed many of those same skills themselves.  Their communication skills facilitate their explanations.  And their love of working with children, and the sport they teach, qualify them to join our exemplary staff!

GYM RULES

  • Always respect coaches directions

  • One person at a time on trampolines

  • Do not go outside without permission

  • Ask first before touching equipment

  • Only go one direction on tumbl trak

  • Always have landing mats

  • Do not go under trampolines/equipment

  • Share equipment evenly

With Responsibility, Comes Freedom!
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