What started out as tumbling on old mats and mattresses as a child has developed into a career spanning more than 30 years as a gymnast and gymnastics coach for Pete Walker.
Walker, along with his wife, Cindy, are owners of Williamsburg Gymnastics, which will open the doors to its new facility on Tewning Road in December. For years, Williamsburg Gymnastics operated out of the gymnastics facility at the College of William & Mary, where Walker worked as an assistant coach with the men’s gymnastics team and still volunteers as a coach.
Growing up in Virginia Beach, Walker taught himself gymnastics. He dabbled with the sport in middle school and then began formal training with a coach in high school.
“I ended up becoming good enough to earn a partial scholarship to William and Mary,” Walker said.
During college, Walker ranked in the all-time top ten in every event (there are six events in men’s gymnastics: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vaulting, parallel bars, and horizontal bar). In 1992, Walker was named team captain and won the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship All-Around Competition. He also helped his team earn the National Academic Team Championship for the Collegiate Gymnastics Association.
“I take great pride in winning the All-Around Competition,” Walker said. “It was a culmination of a lot of hard work.”
After graduation, Walker began his career as a gymnastics coach with William & Mary and later with Williamsburg Gymnastics.
At Williamsburg Gymnastics, Walker, along with four other coaches, instruct children of all ages in recreational and competitive gymnastics.
“I really enjoy being in the gym working with the kids, the day in and day out training,” he said. “I enjoy helping kids achieve what they can achieve through gymnastics. It’s great.”
Williamsburg Gymnastics offers programming for children from preschool through high school. Recreational classes are available as well as girls’ and boys’ competitive team options. In addition to gymnastics training, there are classes in cheerleading, dance, and agility course training as well as programs for homeschoolers.
Tricia Poulsen’s son and daughter have been long-time students of Walker’s at Williamsburg Gymnastics.
“We enjoy Williamsburg Gymnastics because the coaches help set goals with the athletes and encourage them throughout the season to meet those goals,” she said. “It’s rewarding as a parent to see your child set a goal, whether it be to complete a full circle on the pommel horse or a fly away from the high bar, and accomplish it with a big smile on their face. Pete Walker is an awesome coach. He encourages the athletes to do their best and gives them the right amount of encouragement to push them to be the best gymnast they can be. He has been a great role model for my children.”
Walker is looking forward to supporting more aspiring gymnasts in the new Williamsburg Gymnastics building.
“It will open up all sorts of opportunities for us,” said Walker. “The new gym will allow our gymnasts to reach their full potential, whether they are recreational gymnasts or have Olympics aspirations.”
The new building will have designated space for recreation classes, preschool classes, a dance studio, and yoga as well as better training equipment, an administrative office, and a lobby with a viewing area for families.
Walker’s wife, whom he met at church in high school, is the administrator for Williamsburg Gymnastics. The couple’s four children also train at Williamsburg Gymnastics.
“We’re excited,” Walker said. “I enjoy all my students. It is rewarding watching them grow as people. At Williamsburg Gymnastics, we use gymnastics as a tool to help them become better people.”
