{"id":11884,"date":"2012-07-17T12:40:43","date_gmt":"2012-07-17T02:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=11884"},"modified":"2015-03-18T16:03:02","modified_gmt":"2015-03-18T06:03:02","slug":"a-day-at-the-circus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/a-day-at-the-circus\/","title":{"rendered":"A day at the circus"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n
\n
Roll up, roll up, the circus is in town! lastminute lovely Sasha brings out her inner acrobat at flying trapeze school on the Sunshine coast. Just don\u2019t try this at home.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
After a miserable week of cold, wintry rain, being woken up on a Saturday by the blinding sun shining through my window is a pretty welcome start to the day. As a Brisvegas local, there\u2019s nothing more satisfying than making the most out of a perfect winter\u2019s day, especially when it involves a short trip up to the beautiful Sunshine Coast. So with the fam in tow, we hit the road.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s far too cold to pack our swimmers, the t-shirt appropriate weather is ideal for braving it in a different kind of way \u2013 by conquering our fear of heights at Cirque Espace Exhilar8 Flying Trapeze<\/a>!<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

Located at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort Sunshine Coast<\/a>, we\u2019re welcomed by our friendly hosts for the day, Luke and Nikki. Around ten amateur acrobats join my brother Harry and I in the class. Nikki asked if we\u2019d had any experience in this before, and although I have a gymnastics background, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get started folks<\/strong>
\nBefore we can go anywhere, we\u2019re briefed on a few safety hazards to ensure we make it out in one piece. I\u2019m not too worried at this stage, and attempt an up-side down hang by my knees on the practice bar, stretching my arms out behind me. Easy. Next stage \u2013 the swing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Perfect day to swing off a platform<\/p><\/div>\n

I climb up the ladder to the platform, and here\u2019s where I meet Chops \u2013 the man who will hold my life in his hands while I reach out to grab the bar (okay, okay, it isn\u2019t that dramatic \u2013 I\u2019m in a harness after all).<\/p>\n

Nikki screamed the words from down below, \u201cReady and HUP!\u201d (I\u2019m guessing that\u2019s circus lingo for \u2018GO\u2019). There\u2019s no turning back now, I\u2019m off! Holding on for my dear life I tuck my knees up around the bar and let my hands go. The feeling is utterly exhilarating.<\/p>\n

After the swing comes to a stop I let go of my knees and land in the safety net below. I may have been shaking like there\u2019s no tomorrow, but I can\u2019t wait to get back up there! The feeling is addictive, and at this point I realise, I should probably pack my bags and join the circus.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Look at me go, mum!<\/p><\/div>\n

After two or three attempts we all feel like pros. But there\u2019s more. The next stage is to give a knee-hang-catch a go. This involves a little more work, and a lot more adrenalin rush through the body. Dan (our catcher) swings from another bar on the trapeze, while we try to synchronize with him, ready for the catch.<\/p>\n

My little bro Harry is one of the first up. Gliding through the air like he\u2019s done this hundreds of times, he gracefully grasps onto Dan\u2019s wrists, releases his knees from the bar, and swings from one trapeze to another \u2013 all in the first hour of the class!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Go Harry! GO!<\/p><\/div>\n

I\u2019m up next, and surprising no one more than myself, I did it!<\/p>\n

<\/object><\/p>\n

After 90 minutes of addictive fun, I\u2019m a little sad it\u2019s all over. The Exhilar8 Flying Trapeze class at Cirque Espace is the perfect way to soak up the sun on the Sunshine Coast without getting wet. The support and encouragement given by the instructors is unforgettable, and we conquered our fear of heights and trapezed like pros!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Certificate of excellence (and proof!)<\/p><\/div>\n

I can\u2019t recommend this class enough. It\u2019s suitable for anyone aged six or over, so makes the perfect activity for a families, groups and couples alike. I will definitely be returning soon!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n