Youth runs away to the s a week ...three time MOST CHILDREN have to wait for a whole year before the circus comes to town again. But not Jordan Hooge. The 12-year-old Caulfeild stu- dent gets a ride in his mother’s Mercedes to live every child’s dream of being in the circus — three times a week. Not the ordinary cliche of runn- ing away to the circus, Hooge’s story began when the family den- tist suggested he audition for Cirkids, an all-kids’ circus troupe of about 30 Lower Mainland children. But his mother is the one who can actually take the credit for Hooge’s latest slice of fame. One day, when Hooge was just four years old, she arrived home ACOB ‘spotlight feature with a large trampoline. That trampoline, says Hooge, was the best investment his mother has ever made. “When she brought it home we all went ‘Yah!'” the 4’8” dynamo recalls with delight. “The first day we had 30 people on it all at the same time.” Hooge wasn’t serious at first, but slowly started learning the tricks of the trampoline — after eight years of bouncing and fooling around he couldn’t help picking up skills on flipping and mid-air somersaults, among other feats. At circus school! Hooge brushed up on basic juggling, gymnastics and trampaline, but it was during actual performance when he learned new “‘hard-core”’ skills like the daring cradle and the stacking bike. Twelve kids piled up on one bike is an amazing feat, and even Hooge remembers being scared to become one of the 12. ‘I had to say to myself, ‘Am | sure I’m not going to kill myself?’”’ he remembers, breaking into a fren- zied laugh. Hooge, now Cirkids’ ringmaster and acrobat, survived the bike trick and has even developed his own specialty — flipping: back folds and back flips on the tram- poline, on the floor and off the bike. He climbs on to the well-worn trampoline that sits outside his West Vancouver waterfront home and pulls himself over the rusty springs in order to give his guests a quick demonstration. “My friend said | should show you this one,”’ he says, and after a couple of warm-up jumps he flies through the air, does a couple of quick flips, and lands on the ground with perfect ease. “1 love flipping and sailing Rettorming: Enroll now for Summer Programs Children-Teens-Aduits Cail 980-3501 233 West Ist Ave., North Vancouver cy CIRKID JORDAN Hoge shows his trampoline style in his West Van- couver backyard. through the air,’ he confesses. “4t feels like you have no strains at all. 1 love being upside down — it feels like you’re somewhere in space.”” Cirkids’ assistant gymnastics coach, Erian Robertson, says he has never seen “a kid do so many flips so easily.’’ “He’s an amazing athlete,” Robertson says of Hooge. ‘‘His backflips are incredible. He’s mindblowing.” Cirkids is a travelling show which has performed in children’s festivals in Nanaimo and Kamloops. Usually, however, it doesn’t travel outside of the Lower Mainland. Performing in front of large crowds takes some getting used to, as Hooge can attest. “Once | went blank during one of my first shows. | was standing on the middle of the stage and t completely forgot what | was sup- posed to do. But no one noticed — not even the performers.”’ They may not have noticed then, but word is quickly getting out that Hooge is definitely some- one to watch for now. A stunning panorama of the Vancouver area. Superb service... warm and relaxed. [Innovative cuisine featuring the finest of regional foods. DINNER FROM 5 O’CLOCK LUNCH & SUNDAY BRUNCH THAR TFONC PR ANF ARE ZIAZ IN] ON « BURNABY ®* MOUNTAIN 160 Centennial Way, Burnaby Reservations 299-1155 : 21 - Wednesday, May 24, 1989 - North Shore News Strolling the | West Vancouver } Seawall Drop by for a Cappuccino or Light Meal ® Very Casual Lunch, Brunch, Dinner Harpist Sunday Brunch Open 7 Days & Nights a Week Guitarist Saturday Brunch 2427 Marine Drive, West Van. FAMILY RESTAURANT 117-260 WEST ESPLANADE FABULOUS FRIDAY MAY 26 2 for 1 STEAK SPECIAL Buy one 8 oz. Top Sirloin Steak (includes toss- ed salad, steak cut fries, or baked potato and garlic toast) $ 8 99 Spurlipa and receive another 8 oz. steak absolutely FREE! Remember FOR THE BEST BRUNCH ON THE NORTH SHORE Visit us Sunday 10am-2pm Hours of Operation 7 Days/Week Mon.-Sat. 6:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 9 p.m.