The Traveling Tide
8/13/2024 3:41:00 PM | Gymnastics
Follow along all summer and travel with the Tide as members of the Alabama gymnastics program take you on different trips, activities and adventures from a first-person point of view!
Whether here at home in Tuscaloosa, at the beach for vacation or attending conferences as an Alabama Athletics representative, the Alabama gymnastics program is making the most of its summer break. Inside this blog, fans can enjoy a first-person account of each of the places this sisterhood is traveling to, wherever the Tide may take them.
"We know now that no matter how far we traveled on our own separate paths, somehow we would always find our way back to each other ... the sisterhood ... together and apart."Excerpt from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Karis German | Alabama Athletics Representative at the 2024 Black Student Athlete Summit
Hey, Bama Nation! To kick start this summer break, I was one of five student-athlete representatives from the Alabama Athletics department that attended this year's Black Student-Athlete Summit, located in Los Angeles, Calif.
This was my second-straight year attending the Summit, and something important that stuck with me from this trip is being able to see myself as a person first, rather than just an athlete. Finding our identity outside of our sport can be difficult, but it is more than possible. Know your worth, stand on what you know is right and do what's best for you, but most importantly, remember that you are a person before an athlete, and you deserve to be treated and seen as a whole person.
One of several quotes that stuck out to me during my time there was from Sheridan Blanford - "Care about yourself as a holistic human being, and do the work to make things better where you know work needs to be done."
Chloe LaCoursiere + Rachel Rybicki | Alabama Gymnastics Representatives on FCA Mission Trip
Hey, everyone! Chloe and I recently went to Costa Rica on a mission trip with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, along with some representatives from other Alabama teams like football, soccer, swimming and volleyball. During our trip, we conducted different coaching clinics with both the adults and the children, while also working with a local church where we helped repaint a home and other buildings at the church. Though not everyone spoke the same language, we were still able to build a connection and friendship because of our common love of both sports and faith.
It was one of the most incredible experiences I have had so far! I’ll forever be grateful for the memories I made on this trip and the way I was able to share my faith with new people. Chloe and I are so blessed to have had the opportunity to travel with FCA to Costa Rica to share the love of our faith, as well as our love for sports. We will cherish these memories, friendships and lessons from this trip forever!
Natalia Pawlak | Vacations to Vancouver, Canada, and Seaside, Fla.
Hey, there! Earlier this summer, I traveled to Vancouver, Canada, to visit one of my best friends. We walked and biked around the city, drove up to the mountains, hiked and even did some goat yoga! It was amazing to reconnect with a special friend that the sport of gymnastics brought into my life.
A few weeks after that, my family and I took a vacation to Seaside, Florida! We had a lot of fun spending some much-needed time together relaxing at the beach and walking around the adorable town. It was so good to have everyone together while making some new memories!
Corinne Bunagan | Family Trip to Pisgah National Forest in Asheville, N.C.
Hey, everyone! Recently, my family and I traveled to Asheville, N.C., where we hiked on the John Rock Trail at Pisgah National Forest. While at Pisgah, we also visited Sliding Rock, which is a 60-foot, all-natural water slide and swimming hole!
It was so much fun being able to enjoy some time off with my family, relaxing in nature. I loved having the chance to strengthen the bond with my amazing support system!
Luisa Blanco | Paris, France - Olympics
Bonjour à tous; hello everyone! Earlier this week, I arrived in Paris as I will be representing my parents’ home country, Colombia, in the 2024 Paris Olympics! The past couple of days have involved some final training, as well as some sightseeing before competition gets underway July 28.
The most special part about this experience is that everywhere I look, there is a piece of Tuscaloosa to remind me I’m not alone. Knowing I’ll have Shallon [Olsen] opposite me on the competition floor (Canada), Justin [Spring] in the same venue as an NBC commentator (men’s competition) and even (head coach) Ashley [Johnston] in the stands as a supporter - I know the Bamaly will be ever present these coming days.
Thank you in advance, Bama Nation, for the support you’ll show Shallon and me, as well as all the other University of Alabama competitors - we already feel your love and support from over here in Paris!
Assistant Coach Amelia Hundley | SEC Coaches Opportunity Forum - Atlanta
It was a great honor to represent the University of Alabama at the SEC Coaches Opportunity Forum. I'm grateful for the opportunity to hear inspiring stories from esteemed coaches, who have paved the way of excellence on and off the competition floor, as well as connect with other likeminded individuals in the conference.
This experience has equipped me with valuable insights and tools to further my personal growth and support those around me. The SEC truly stands out, and I'm proud to be part of a conference that embodies such a profound commitment to helping grow and inspire the people involved!
Rachel Rybicki | Study Abroad - Spain
Having the opportunity to study abroad in Spain this summer was an amazing experience and I’m so grateful I was able to go. I got to travel to new places, meet new people and expand my mindset… and I got to work on my Spanish skills too! While on the trip, I also went to Mallorca and visited Buckingham Palace in London.
While I was in Spain, I was able to train with a gym which was amazing; the girls were so welcoming! I spoke Spanish with them, and they practiced their English with me. Seeing the universal love for the sport of gymnastics was so powerful – we were able to connect, despite the culture and language differences!
Studying abroad gave me the opportunity to learn and experience new cultures, as well as make memories that I will remember forever.
