Boardwalk Gymnastics in Belen sticks milestone anniversary

Belen

A suggestion in the mid-1990s from Belen mayor Boleslo Lovato gave Lori Kapalko the impetus to start a gymnastics program in the Hub City, and now three decades later, Boardwalk Gymnastics is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

“It’s a big milestone,” Kapalko said on a recent Sunday morning.

Kapalko was keeping things organized during the annual “Monopoly Meet” inside the school’s big blue building just off I-25 at exit 195 in Belen.

“There wasn’t a (gymnastics) gym in Belen,” Kapalko said, so she decided to start one. “I grew up doing gymnastics. It was my life. I was coaching since I was 12.”

Boardwalk Gymnastics has been at its current location for about 15 years, but initially the school was located for a few months in the Belen Recreation Center. Soon, the school shifted to several other venues, including a long stint on South Main Street.

There was also a facility Kopalko operated simultaneously for a few years in Los Lunas, but “I couldn’t be at both places” at the same time, Kapalko recalled.

Boardwalk Gymnastics turned into a family affair for Kapalko, with sons, Sean and Shadayn, currently filling various roles, while daughter, Shyanne, spent years helping at the school. Longtime employees, including Melissa Gabaldon, Vanessa Silva and Denise Gonzales Ditmanson are considered family.

Sitting nearby operating computers for the meet, Shadayn explained their passion.

“Gymnastics teaches you a lot of things as you progress through life,” including athletic skills, dedication and overcoming fears.

The name for Boardwalk Gymnastics came to Kapalko years ago when she was coaching youth at the University of New Mexico.

“This little boy asked me why he had to walk on the board,” which is what he called the balance beam.

His reference also reminded Kapalko of when she coached in Florida at a location called “Park Place.” Both “Park Place” and “Boardwalk,” are properties in the board game “Monopoly,” which is why their big winter meet received that moniker.

After all these years coaching and running a business, Kapalko says it is still fun.

“Oh yeah, it’s what I want to do even when we’re closed,” she said. “I love it. I look forward to it.”