Acrobatic Athleticism

A DigitalNZ Story by Sienna Latham

Gymnasts, lifeguards, students, acrobats, divers, performers, soldiers, ice skaters, roller skaters, skateboarders, kids, even a yogini...

balance, flexibility, strength, grace, daring, precision, contortion, gymnastics

Image: Maranui Surf Life Saving Club members doing gymnastics, Lyall Bay, Wellington

Maranui Surf Life Saving Club members doing gymnastics, Lyall Bay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ice skater Sally Richardson mid-air during performance of somersault on ice

Ice skater Sally Richardson mid-air during performance of somersault on ice

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Chadells, from The Jean Sablon Show, doing acrobatics on top of the Evening Post building, Wellington

The Chadells, from The Jean Sablon Show, doing acrobatics on top of the Evening Post building, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A 'fine study in balance exercises at the Summer School of Physical Education held at Milner Court, Slurry, Kent, on July 29. It is open to ivomen of all countries. (Evening Post, 30 August 1937)

A 'fine study in balance exercises at the Summer School of Physical Education held at Milner Court, Slurry, Kent, on July 29. It is open to ivomen ...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Gymnasts

Gymnasts

Auckland Libraries

Image: Young female gymnast (unidentified)

Young female gymnast (unidentified)

Kete Horowhenua

Image: Mr Alan McKnabb, gymnast

Mr Alan McKnabb, gymnast

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Young women gymnasts in a group pose

Young women gymnasts in a group pose

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Display by young gymnasts at the Peking Workers' stadium

Display by young gymnasts at the Peking Workers' stadium

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Ida, Kate, Walter, and Cornelius Silbon

Ida, Kate, Walter, and Cornelius Silbon

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Male gymnastics squad

Male gymnastics squad

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Gymnasts

Gymnasts

Auckland Libraries

Image: Members of Otaki Gymnastic Club team

Members of Otaki Gymnastic Club team

Kete Horowhenua

Image: Gymnastic display by New Zealand police cadets

Gymnastic display by New Zealand police cadets

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Gymnastics class

Gymnastics class

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Male gymnastics squad

Male gymnastics squad

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Richard Williams vaulting at Gymnastics Festival

Richard Williams vaulting at Gymnastics Festival

Kete Horowhenua

Image: School Gymnastics, Foxton D.H.S., 1930's ?

School Gymnastics, Foxton D.H.S., 1930's ?

Kete Horowhenua

Image: Male gymnastics squad outside the YMCA in Nelson

Male gymnastics squad outside the YMCA in Nelson

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Poetry of Poise

Poetry of Poise

Auckland Libraries

Image: Young Men's Christian Association gymnastics demonstration in a gymnasium

Young Men's Christian Association gymnastics demonstration in a gymnasium

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Young Women's Christian Association gymnastics demonstration in a gymnasiumn

Young Women's Christian Association gymnastics demonstration in a gymnasiumn

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Group of unidentified women's gymnastics team outdoors, in a balancing formation, probably Christchurch district

Group of unidentified women's gymnastics team outdoors, in a balancing formation, probably Christchurch district

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A group of boys from a secondary school physical education class doing gymnastics on a rooftop

A group of boys from a secondary school physical education class doing gymnastics on a rooftop

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Group of unidentified women's gymnastics team in formation on a balancing beam, outside a house, probably Christchurch district

Group of unidentified women's gymnastics team in formation on a balancing beam, outside a house, probably Christchurch district

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Gymnastics display for the tenth anniversary of the People's Republic of China, Beijing Workers' Stadium

Gymnastics display for the tenth anniversary of the People's Republic of China, Beijing Workers' Stadium

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Evening Post" Photo. GYMNASTICS AT QUEEN MARGARET COLLEGE.-Gir/s. attending QueenMargaretCollegerHobson. *^ej?r£it)Jrtg.adM/)ffl3rp/.s«£^»eniCs[before parents and visitors yesterday afternoon. (Evening Post, 10 December 1932)

Evening Post" Photo. GYMNASTICS AT QUEEN MARGARET COLLEGE.-Gir/s. attending QueenMargaretCollegerHobson. *^ej?r£it)Jrtg.adM/)ffl3rp/.s«£^»eniCs[bef...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: CLEVER GYMNASTICS.-^ flying leap through : a hoop by a member of the Army School of Physical Training during rehearsal ..•'■• for the Alder shot display. •■'■' (Evening Post, 05 August 1932)

CLEVER GYMNASTICS.-^ flying leap through : a hoop by a member of the Army School of Physical Training during rehearsal ..•'■• for the Alder shot di...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Group of men exercising

Group of men exercising

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Robson, Edward Thomas, fl 1920s-1940s? : Alf Jenkins and children doing gymnastic exercises, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Robson, Edward Thomas, fl 1920s-1940s? : Alf Jenkins and children doing gymnastic exercises, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Showing a man in singlet, trousers, sandshoes doing a handstand....

Showing a man in singlet, trousers, sandshoes doing a handstand....

Auckland Libraries

Image: Wellington Girls College students performing Swedish drill.

Wellington Girls College students performing Swedish drill.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Y.M.C.A.

Y.M.C.A.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Students at Wellington Girls College performing Swedish Drill movements

Students at Wellington Girls College performing Swedish Drill movements

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Wellington Girls' East College gymnasium interior, and pupils

Wellington Girls' East College gymnasium interior, and pupils

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Gymnastic display by soldiers on board `Tainui.'

Gymnastic display by soldiers on board `Tainui.'

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Children gazing at Elfy Morell's acrobat, showing children with their winter coats

Children gazing at Elfy Morell's acrobat, showing children with their winter coats

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: C. Cusack (top) and mate on a Queen St, Levin transmission pole, part of the Mangahao-Wellington transmission line

C. Cusack (top) and mate on a Queen St, Levin transmission pole, part of the Mangahao-Wellington transmission line

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: My dream of the North Island

My dream of the North Island

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Image: Partners in ice acrobatics at Mount Harper

Partners in ice acrobatics at Mount Harper

Auckland Libraries

Image: Unidentified acrobatics performing up high, at the Winter Show, Wellington

Unidentified acrobatics performing up high, at the Winter Show, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Chadells, from The Jean Sablon Show, doing acrobatics on top of the Evening Post building, Wellington

The Chadells, from The Jean Sablon Show, doing acrobatics on top of the Evening Post building, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Plimmerton School, Porirua c.1944.

Plimmerton School, Porirua c.1944.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Diver doing handstand poolside, 1950 British Empire Games, Auckland

Diver doing handstand poolside, 1950 British Empire Games, Auckland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified group on a beach

Unidentified group on a beach

Auckland Libraries

Image: Young girl attempting handstand, Northland

Young girl attempting handstand, Northland

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: School girls in Plimmerton, during a physical education class

School girls in Plimmerton, during a physical education class

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Diver, performing a somersault, evening, Olympic pool, Naenae, Wellington

Diver, performing a somersault, evening, Olympic pool, Naenae, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Roller skaters at Petone

Roller skaters at Petone

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Boys skateboarding, Hewer Crescent, Naenae, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Boys skateboarding, Hewer Crescent, Naenae, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Older woman (unidentified) gives a Yoga demonstration

Older woman (unidentified) gives a Yoga demonstration

Kete Horowhenua

Image: Wang Pao Pao, a clever contortionist appearing with the Great North China Troupe, which is now giving such bright entertainment at ths Grand Opera House. (Evening Post, 14 September 1939)

Wang Pao Pao, a clever contortionist appearing with the Great North China Troupe, which is now giving such bright entertainment at ths Grand Opera ...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: [three men in black underwear performing acrobatic display]

[three men in black underwear performing acrobatic display]

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Men running in a chariot race at the Piha Surf Club carnival

Men running in a chariot race at the Piha Surf Club carnival

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Alfred Jenkins, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Alfred Jenkins, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Skills in the circus ring

Skills in the circus ring

Auckland Libraries