Ocean Center secures USAG Winter Classic Invitational

The Ocean Center is adding a new gymnastic event to its calendar in 2022—a high flying, twisting, tumbling, gravity-defying sporting spectacle. March 3 through 6, competitors across a range of ages and skill levels will convene for the USA Gymnastics (USAG) Trampoline and Tumbling 2022 Winter Classic Invitational.

The event, hosted by Branch Gymnastics in coordination with USA Gymnastics, is moving to the Ocean Center thanks to a strong relationship and history of positive experiences at the facility.

“In 2015, we hosted the men’s Junior Olympic National Championships at the Ocean Center,” said Cindy Scharns, owner of Branch Gymnastics and USAG club services coordinator. “We had such a positive experience, we decided to host the Development Program National Championships at the facility last year.”

The 2021 Development Program National Championships was notable in that it was the first time both the men’s and women’s Junior Olympic National Championship events were brought together under the same roof for one competition.

“Last year’s event was executed wonderfully and we considered it a great success, in part due to the support from both the Ocean Center and the community,” said Scharns. “And thanks to that success, we’re planning to bring back the 2024 competition to the Ocean Center.”

Scharns said that, because of their prior positive experiences, when the opportunity arose to host the 2022 Winter Classic Invitational in Daytona Beach, they jumped on it.

“It’s just a great partnership. USAG events are about the competition, but they’re also more than that—they’re an opportunity for families to spend time together and make memories,” said Scharns. “The facility and the community just lends itself to making this more than a competition, it makes it a destination event.”

“The Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitor Bureau has enjoyed a long relationship with Branch Gymnastics,” said Director of Group Sales Linda McMahon. “We are very excited to see their events continue to grow and we look forward to welcoming all the competitors and their families to Daytona Beach.”

The Winter Classic Invitational will feature trampoline, tumbling, double mini-trampoline and synchronized trampoline competitions and will serve as the first of three selection events to determine international assignments in 2022.

“One of the things I enjoy about this event is the wide range of participation,” said Scharns. “It’s an elite event paired with a developmental program, which means that you get to see the full spectrum of competitors, from beginners all the way up to the elite athletes. It’s an opportunity to see the range of the sport and appreciate all the hard work and talent of the participants.”

The 2022 Winter Classic Invitational takes place at the Ocean Center March 3 through 6. The event is estimated to bring in approximately 2,000 attendees and generate 600 room nights. The event is open to the public; tickets must be purchased with cash at the door and range in pricing depending on date, attendee age and single-day or multi-day admittance. For more information, visit https://usagym.org/pages/tt/events/2022/winterclassic.html.