08/16/2026
🚨 WHIDBEY, WE NEED OUR COMMUNITY.
Whidbey Island Aerial Athletics is at a crossroads, and the decision before us may determine the future of Trampoline & Tumbling Gymnastics and All-Star Cheerleading on Whidbey Island.
Our lease renewal is approaching, and our current building is no longer sustainable. It is too small for our programs and competitive athletes, lacks adequate family viewing space, becomes unbearably hot during the summer, and has ongoing maintenance problems outside our control as tenants. Its hidden location has also made it difficult for new families to discover us.
We now have an opportunity to move into a facility that could completely transform what WIAA can offer.
✈️ WHAT THE NEW SPACE COULD PROVIDE:
💜 A full-size sprung All-Star Cheerleading floor
💜 A substantially longer rod floor
💜 Space for both existing trampolines and a planned smaller trampoline for younger athletes
💜 Larger, safer landing areas and additional equipment
💜 Room to hold multiple classes and team practices simultaneously
💜 Cooler indoor summer temperatures and air conditioning when needed
💜 Larger spectator and family areas
💜 Downtown highway visibility and abundant parking
💜 Expanded recreational, toddler, preschool, Mommy & Me, homeschool, camp, and community programming
💜 The future potential to host competitions
THE OPPORTUNITY IS HERE. THE PROGRAM IS HERE. THE ATHLETES ARE HERE. What we are missing is the financial foundation to make the move responsibly.
Approximately four years ago, Coach Tina began as an investor, putting her life savings behind a program she believed Whidbey Island needed. When the previous company abruptly closed mid-season, Tina and Coach Amy stepped in to keep its athletes from losing their teams and athletic home.
Shortly afterward, Tina became seriously ill and spent nearly two years fighting a life-threatening infection—all while WIAA continued rebuilding and improving.
This program has already been saved once. We are not prepared to walk away without doing everything possible to preserve its future.
However, WIAA is facing more than the cost of moving and purchasing equipment.
🎯 THE MISSION OF WIAA GAP
WIAA GAP—the Whidbey Island Aerial Athletics General Assistance Program—is our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to bridge the financial gap for youth who might otherwise be unable to participate in gymnastics or All-Star Cheerleading.
Nearly half of our competitive team required ongoing financial assistance last season. Until now, that assistance has been funded almost entirely through in-house fundraising and athletes supporting athletes. Because the need consistently exceeded what was raised, the gym quietly absorbed the remaining scholarship costs so athletes would not be turned away.
We have used virtually every available excess dollar to prevent circumstances beyond an athlete’s control from ending their dreams.
WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO NEVER TURNING AWAY A YOUTH ATHLETE SOLELY BECAUSE THEIR FAMILY NEEDS HELP—but we cannot continue absorbing those costs while also funding this move ourselves.
That is why WIAA and WIAA GAP have launched a FundRazr campaign.
🤝 BECOME A DONOR OR SPONSOR
Individuals, families, community groups, memorial donors, and businesses can contribute toward:
• Flooring, trampolines, safety matting, and other equipment
• Moving, installation, building materials, labor, and facility improvements
• Team uniforms and competition expenses
• A specific team, program, or athlete’s tuition
• An athlete in need’s entire competitive season
• Camps, clinics, events, and community programming
• Useful goods, services, materials, and professional expertise
Sponsors may receive meaningful recognition through branded equipment; recognition inside the gym, on our website and social media, on team apparel or uniforms when appropriate, at events and fundraisers, and potentially on the exterior of the new highway-facing building.
Individuals, families, groups, and memorial donors may also be recognized according to their wishes.
Contributions made through WIAA GAP may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors should consult their tax professionals about their circumstances.
🙌 OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Financial contributions are critical, but they are not the only way to help. You can also:
💜 Enroll in a recreational class or competitive team
💜 Attend a camp, Parents’ Night Out, Open Gym, birthday party, or event
💜 Bring a new friend to class—their first class is always free
💜 Ask your business or employer about sponsorships, matching gifts, or in-kind contributions
💜 Help contact businesses, research grants, or coordinate fundraising
💜 Coach, assist with classes, or volunteer in the gym
💜 Donate bookkeeping, marketing, social-media, legal, administrative, contracting, transportation, storage, or other professional services
💜 Donate equipment, materials, or labor
💜 Connect us with homeschool groups, preschools, schools, and community partners
💜 Share this campaign with families, businesses, coaches, donors, and community leaders
Our recreational programs begin at age one, and our competitive programs welcome athletes of all experience and skill levels—including complete beginners.
We are structuring the upcoming competitive season to reduce family travel expenses, with regular competitions remaining in Washington and Northwest Oregon and advanced travel opportunities remaining optional or limited to qualifying teams.
With enough interest, we also hope to add two lower-cost, lower-commitment, half-season All-Star Cheer teams:
📣 A Youth Novice Team for youth who want to experience and become involved in All-Star Cheer
📣 A Senior Elite Team for middle- and high-school athletes who want to continue participating in school sports without the conflict or burnout of a demanding practice schedule
Our Trampoline & Tumbling Gymnastics teams will remain skill- and ability-based in the training and commitment required. Families may choose to participate in the minimum of three local competitions or attend all six or more competitions during the season, plus optional out-of-state competitions.
🔗 VIEW OUR FULL STORY, WISH LIST, SPONSORSHIP TIERS, CAMPAIGN PROGRESS, AND WAYS TO HELP:
➡️ https://fundrazr.com/wiaaflyers
If you can help—or even think you may have an idea—please text Coach Tina at 360.672.0058.
You do not need to have a complete plan. A message saying “I may be able to help” is enough to begin.
📲 PLEASE SHARE THIS ORIGINAL POST USING FACEBOOK’S SHARE BUTTON.
That will keep the collage, complete message, WIAA and WIAA GAP identities, and FundRazr link connected.
We do not want to give up without a fight. But we need to know whether we will be fighting alone—or whether our community is ready to fight alongside us.
Help WIAA GAP move into a safe new space, replace essential equipment, and keep young athletes training and competing—regardless of financial circumstances.
