Over 545 athletes from around B.C., ages 3 to adult will be taking the competition floor in the UBC Okanagan Gym April 28, 2018.  Competitive cheerleading incorporates skills in tumbling, stunting (lifts), tosses, dance and jumps.  Athletes have been training since spring of last year for these routines and the Okanagan Cheerleading Championships will be the culmination of the season for many teams.

Local teams will include Rutland Senior Secondary in the school divisions and 11 teams from Okanagan Firestorm Cheerleading.  The Kelowna based gym includes 130+ athletes representing all areas of the Okanagan valley.  Other programs competing represent Fort St.John, Prince George, Kamloops, and numerous communities from the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island. 

Many of the Okanagan Firestorm teams are coming off of big wins this season including top finishes in the Youth 1 division at Cheerfest in February, First Place in Junior Prep and Senior 1 in Richmond in February, First in Junior 1 and Senior 1 at the True North Championships and a stunning top finish for the Youth 2 team at the Sea to Sky International Championships. These top finishes have been accompanied by numerous top 3 placings by other Firestorm teams and this weekend will hopefully carry this tradition to the end of their season. 

Doors open to the public at 9 a.m. and the competition starts at 9:30 a.m. with the individual and duo tumbling catagories.  Team competition begins at 11:20am and will continue until 4 p.m.  Admission is $12 for Adults, $7 for students and Seniors while it is free for children 4 and under.