Owner of West Coast Flying Trapeze in BC Canada and former SANCA coach, Chris Johnston will be back in  Seattle this weekend! While at SANCA, he taught flying trapeze, tumbling, trampoline to students and staff alike.

Chris started gymnastics at the age of four and at thirteen he began to focus on trampoline and tumbling. His tumbling career took off quickly and he was a Canadian National Champion at seventeen, which allowed him to earn a spot on the Canadian National Team. After leaving gymnastics, his love of acrobatics never ceased and it quickly led him to his career in circus arts.

Chris knew he wanted to pursue acrobatics, but his journey as a flying trapeze coach, flyer, and catcher began in stark contrast to the exacting precision of his gymnastics training. After being hired for his first circus job, he was given a tour of his new facility. Upon passing the flying trapeze rig, he inquired as to who would be crazy enough to do such a thing. The tour guide quickly informed Chris that, whether he intended to or not, he was going to learn how to fly.

Despite being terrified of heights, he was drawn to the Flying Trapeze. Since then Chris has taught circus in Mexico, the Caribbean and throughout the United States. His love of the Flying Trapeze and circus arts is why he wanted to bring the experience back home to Canada and share it with others. Chris now lives in BC and will open West Coast Flying Trapeze in its new permanent location in March.

Chris is teaching two flying trapeze workshops

at SANCA in February. On Saturday, February 13th from 5:00-8:00pm, he will get into the mechanics of Flipping & Twisting on the flying trapeze. Students will break skills down on the SANCA trampolines and then piece them back together, better than ever, on the flying trapeze. On Sunday, February 14th from 12:00-3:00pm, he will coach a Catch & Return workshop that focuses on the much sought after round trip, from fly bar to catcher and back again.