The Cheersport Survivial Guide is great and gives a fantastic overview of what to expect from attending Cheersport. What tips or words of wisdom do you have for those of us that will be first timers attending?
I haven't been in years, so I don't have any tips but I am looking for some advice. I will be arriving alone on Friday night (around 9:30pm), is it safe to take the MARTA to the Peachtree Westin (walking the block from the train to the hotel)? or should I take a cab?
If I would recommend anything I'd recommend that you bring good shoes! Your feet will hurt from walking.
Give yourself plenty of time to walk around the convention center, to the convention center, etc. Since GWCC is 3.9 million square feet it takes a while to get from the comp floors B1-B5 and to awards. The cheerleaders are lucky enough to be able to use the BC connector though You must be a registered user to view images.
I recommend you be everywhere you are asked to be when you are asked to be there (e.g., arrival and meet times and supporting other teams). And I recommend you be REALLY nice to your team mom! ; ) I think my only other recommendation is to plan on being there ALL DAY. There is always something wonderful to watch!
I'm even thinking of buying my cp some all white sneakers with sturdy soles so she can slip those on with her uniform when she's not warming up or competing.
If your team doesn't have a practice time scheduled at the convention center on Friday, go and watch practices anyways. It is so overwhelming the first time you are there and it will at least allow you and your CP to take some of it in ahead of time. Purchase your spectator tickets on Friday, especially if your team has an early compete time. The traffic was really bad last year so allow plenty of time if you are driving and purchase a parking pass online. As [USER=85]cheeromgbre[/USER] said - wear comfortable clothes and shoes - you will walk....and walk....and walk - especially if awards are set up the same way as last year! Be patient, kind and courteous - the hallways and escalators are so crowded and everyone is hurrying to get to where they need to be. A smile and "excuse me" or "sorry I just bumped into you" goes a long wayYou must be a registered user to view images. Take advantage of being able to watch some incredible teams from all over the country - not just level 5 and the "big name" gyms, but there are gyms that you may not be as familiar with that have incredible teams in levels 1-4 too. If you are there a day early or stay a day after, the aquarium is worth seeing (get the discounted tickets online referenced in the parent packet). CHEERSPORT is one of the best competitions I have ever been to, so good luck and have a great time!
i was at the baltimore convention center and i turned around and saw a girl walking in with a bow on her bag that said "fierce" - now i wonder if that was you! lol
Tall with long light brown hair? That would be me You must be a registered user to view images. Short with long dark brown hair would be [USER=9461]LoveeeTumbling93[/USER]
um, idk. all i saw was a cheerleaders back with a backpack You must be a registered user to view images.
It is cheaper and generally safe to take the MARTA, but there are lots of homeless people wandering around downtown at night. If you can't be with a group, I would consider the cab for added safety.
Cute cheerleader walking around with long hair and a "Fierce" bow on their bag? That really narrows it down.
The MARTA is pretty safe and there are always a lot of police officers in the area between the airport and the MARTA, the MARTA workers are always very helpful as well. If you decide to take a cab, I would ask them to give you a price before you get in the car. For some reason, every Atlanta cab driver has tried to rip us off.
One of my main concerns for everyone is regardless of where you are, don't walk out alone. As I stated above there are many homeless people in the downtown area and unfortunately many of them are aggressive in approching people asking for help. I always walked my kids to a restaurant and back if they were out late or going to visit someone. Please be careful and look out for each other.
ive been going since 2005 or 2006, so i have a ton of advice! -THERES TON OF STUFF. i save up all money because theres just SO much stuff! -if you plan on watching certin teams, bring a performance order or buy one there! because i remembered what arena senior elite what on in last year and yeah..totally forgot when i was there! - buy your shirts or competition wear on friday night, because they will be sold on saturday afternoon! and pick your blankets up friday and spectator passes too! -if getting dropped of my a taxi, enter through the hall closet to arenas -bring your own bottled water! i spent $7 on 1 little water bottle last year!! -for coaches, add 15 min. on to your regular time you usually have your athletes meet because of all the walking! unless you meet outside the warm up room, like we do! -go on friday and check out the arenas/convention center, trust me youll be happy you did! -when going to watch big name teams, be there 10 min before they go, watching senior elite last year was crazy i was standing on a chair sharing it with someone. or even your own team/division get seats fast! -wear comfortable shoes/clothes! tons of walking! -for athletes, i know cheersport is all about being clean and looking clean, we wear pony wigs so we all look the same and same makeup and cheersport likes that! im not saying your not going to win if you have your hair down and flying everywhere, im just saying i looks cleaner when its up or whatever! -for athletes, the warm up room is HUGE, dont wonder off or not pay attention, pay attention to your own team! -athletes, go to the bathroom in the warm up room because in some arenas there are no bathrooms backstage! -make sure theres enough cabs for you/your group to get over to the convention center, its crazy! -theres traffic! add extra time onto your cab ride! -explore atlanta! i LOVED the aquarium and i hear fantastic things about the coca cola factory! also, theres an american girl doll store outside of atlanta! -be nice! i cannot stand some rude people there! -awards is crazy! be there early to get a seat. -make sure for awards you have your uniform on/ competition ready because if you do win, they take a picture of you on the stage with your banner then again backstage with your medal/banner and last year we got our winning teams pictures and medal sent to our gym in a huge frame with our names on it! thats all i can think of right now, but if i think of any other stuff ill post more! GOODLUCK everyone, if you see me come and say hi or pm me about meeting up or trading bows/shirts/pins! everyone have fun, cheersport is the greatest competition, goodluck!
i will deffinatley be needing this, been cheering for 3 years and this will be my 1st time going -___- im nervous.
Also, even when walking in a group, be very aware of your surroundings. It's easy to be distratced by your team and not be as aware as you could be. Years ago my assistant coach and I walked our Small Senior team back to the hotel from dinner and thought we were being alert. Neither of us saw the homeless man until he was literally stepping into our group and scaring the you-know-what out of most of our kids. Not the fun memory you want.
