2015 Flying Trapeze (Goals) Wishlist

Well guys, 2015 is rapidly approaching and while I'm not really one to make new years resolutions, I am someone who makes lists and who really enjoys planning ahead. My fly gals from across the states and across the pond have inspired me to put together my flying trapeze goals for 2015. Truth be told, as someone who does not like admitting defeat, it does make me nervous to post my goals for everyone to see (what happens if I just can't get that damn layout out of lines and on my own timing?!) But being a part of such an amazing, supportive community, I know that we will cheer each other on when we're getting frustrated and push each other to keep trying when we feel like giving up. We'll virtual hug and high five and celebrate our victories together and inspire each other to keep flying high and reaching for the (shooting) stars.

Disclaimer: all new skills/tricks will be under the guidance and advisement of my coaches. Anything on this list may change as we check-in with my flying throughout the year. I will continue working my skills and tricks just as I always have, really focusing on the mechanics and building a strong foundation. I will work tirelessly until I'm told I'm ready to move on to something else. That being said, this is my wishlist for 2015.

Goal #1 - Swinging and Returning

As I mentioned in my 2014 goals, I will continue working on my swing and returns in 2015 (and beyond).

To recap the return, I will continue working on: the timing in-hands, staying tight at the turn without twisting at the waist and remounting the board gracefully.

To recap the swing, I will continue working on: timing of the kicks, forcing out faster and sweeping longer, straight legs that are zipped up from toes to torso, feet that are pointed all the way through the toes. I will SQUEEZE EVERYTHING TIGHT.

Goal #2 - Layout Done and Done

The layout is a foundational skill, so I really need for it to become second nature. As I mentioned before, this trick and I are currently not friends, but I hope that we will become new besties for 2015. It's been a while since I've thrown a layout so without putting too much pressure on myself, I really would like to have this skill locked in 100% during the first half of the year. I want to have it out of lines and also have the trick on my own timing before the end of spring.

Goal #3 - Cutaway/Cutaway Half Done and Done

I'll continue working on the cutaway in tandem with the layout. Right now the focus is working on the cutaway and I really want to catch it by the end of 2014. (progress is slow but positive thinking you guys!) I've been having what we'll call a bit of a mental block with the release on this trick, but I feel like we made some real progress this past weekend and I'm excited to get back to the rig to work on it more this weekend. I'll continue working the cutaway until my coach, Efe, lets me know that I'm ready to add in the half twist and turn the cutaway into a cutaway half. Efe, if you're reading this, I hope to make you proud and turn that "yesss...yes....nooo...NO!!!" to straight up "YES!!!" from here on out. Even though things are a bit hairy at the moment, I'm really excited to work on this particular trick, because I would like the cutaway half to become one of my go-to tricks. (You guys should see how hot the tops of my feet look right now covered in bumps and bruises from the bar...I guess my foot modeling career is now as dead as my hand modeling career.) I would like to catch my cutaway half by the summer. And if everything goes smoothly, I would like to have it OOL and on my own timing by the end of the year. I know this may be a bit of a stretch, however, I hope to include some intensive training during the course of 2015.

Here's a really awesome example of a cutaway half (I am majorly swooning over his flying, check out his height over the platform and how beautiful and effortless he makes it look):

Goal #4 - Layout Full Twist
Let me just start by saying, this trick is not within my reach at the moment (or even close to being within my reach), but since this is my wishlist and I hope to eventually be able to do a layout full, here it is on the list. If you're unfamiliar with this particular trick it's just as it sounds, a layout with a full twist. Check out this really cool slow motion video of a full to catch by Gorilla Circus. (Seriously guys, go watch that video) I think I've watched that video about about 50 times by now, I'm just mesmerized by it. I couldn't figure out how to embed the video so here's a screen grab I took from it:

I know that once I get the layout dialed-in I will love throwing that trick. I really hope I enjoy twisting as well because I would love for the full to be another one of my go-to tricks. It would be nice to say that I would like to catch this skill in 2015, but I will just be happy if I start working it to the net in lines. Anything beyond that will be a sweet added bonus.

I've never been much of a trick collector. I would rather have a few really solid tricks, rather than a bunch of partially-mastered ones. So even though I only have the few items above on my list for 2015, it's still a pretty tough list of demands.

So there you have it, my 2015 wishlist. Now, let's go crush some goals!