EVENING PRESS sports reporter CLAIRE HUGHES leaps into the new sport that is hitting the heights in Pocklington and could go all the way to the Olympics...

Aerobic gymnastics is exactly what it says it is - aerobics mixed with gymnastics.

But the sum is worth much more than the component parts as smart choreography intertwines strength elements with energetic dance moves.

The closest analogy is probably a form of ice dance - but with sheer strength the key force, rather than speed and blades.

Coach and international judge Kandy Lee Sissons said: "Artistically, it's very similar. I think you have got to see it to really appreciate what it is. It's fantastic for health and well-being and if you get the right person performing, it is fabulous to watch."

The Pocklington-based club draws gymnasts from across the region, from Leeds to South Shields, all putting in 20 to 25 hours of training a week.

An 'average' week is far from average. Gymnasts run three to four miles up to five times, do four sets of 100-press-ups and pull-ups - often with just one arm - and get stretched "from here to kingdom come" in order to make the grade.

The rewards are international acclaim, as several of Kandy's charges are beginning to discover, and there are hopes that it could be adopted as an Olympic discipline under the wing of gymnastics by the time it rolls into London in 2012.

Klas already have gymnasts at every age group in the Great Britain squad and the prospective carrot of Olympic glory can only boost their success.

Rising star Stacey Fenwick, 20, converted to the discipline from acrobatics, and is now in the GB senior squad. Her dedication has included a move from her South Shields home to Pocklington, where she now has two jobs and helps younger gymnasts at the club around her 25 hours a week of training.

Also in the GB squad are Vicki Litherland and FIG (international standard) Yorkshire champion Abi Camwell, both in the 8-11 age group, plus Natalie Asquith in the 15-17 category.

At the same Yorkshire championships, Melanie McAbe took the 8-11 silver.

Hosts Klas walked away with two other Yorkshire titles in the NAC (national standard) competition. Matthew McFetridge won the individual male title and Samantha Rowland scored the 8-11 years crown.

Kayleigh Kilsby won bronze, just in front of Giselle Wright in fourth, Rebekah Sowerby fifth, Amber Symons seventh, Emma Burley eighth and Ashleigh Beer tenth.

In the 12-14 section, Katie Calvert got the silver from Becky Kirby in fourth and Emma Russell in eighth.

Hannah Stanforth came away with the 15-17 years bronze.

A recent trip to the Austrian Open International championships yielded another good haul.

Put them all together, and the result is a national champion dance team.

The ten - Natalie Camwell, Abi Camwell, Anne Marie Anderson, Lauren Milner, Sian Brunskill, Sue Tait, Charlotte Bradley, Charlotte Austin, Rosie Breed and Natasha Reynard - danced their way past the best teams in the country at the Alex Strachen National Dance Championships to win the coveted title.

The Move To The Vibe team performed a four-themed dance including elements of rock 'n' roll, salsa, street and funk, perfected three costume changes and integrated lifts and other patterns into the winning routine.

Anyone interested in sponsoring any of the team members can get in touch with Kandy Lee Sissons by calling 01759 306055.

Updated: 11:07 Thursday, July 28, 2005