Международная Школа Художественного Полёта в Рыбинске (М.Ш.Х.П.)
(Mezhdunarodnaya Shkola Chudozhestvennogo Polyota v Rybinske (M.Sh.Ch.P.)
International School of Artistic Flying in Rybinsk)
GENERAL INFO The international school of artistic flying is located in Rybinsk, Russia at the bank of the Volga. The school building was built in the 1970s but has been enlarged and modernised a few times since then.
THE ATHLETES Kids begin artistic flying at a young age. Therefore, classes are being held even for kids from the age of around 4 to 11. They, usually, only take part in larger group practices and only have small competitions to take part in.
Junior athletes (aged 11 to 17) are mostly only training at the school in their summer breaks. They mostly work in groups but some particularly talented athletes might get some private lessons as well.
Senior athletes can come and live in a hostel (which is located a short walking distance away from the school) and have intensive training both on the broom and off.
While the school is open to students from everywhere, those wishing to enrol need to pass an aptitude test that is not too hard for kids but quite a challenge for those competing on junior and senior level. The fee for students at the school is rather expensive but for exceptionally talented athletes there are scholarships that cover at least part of the costs.
Any student not living up to the high standards and/or unwilling to put in the time and effort that is expected will be dismissed.
THE CLASSES Classes are offered in both synchronised flying and single flying.
However, the athletes do not solely work on their brooms. There are ballet and other dance classes as well as training on balance beams.
THE COACHES & CHOREOGRAPHERS The coaches include the founders of the sport as well as champions of the past years. Among the most renowned coaches are, of course, the inventors of artistic flying, Aleksandra Viktorovna Shishkina and her brother Andrey Viktorovich Tikhomirov. However, former athletes such as Veronika Ilyinichna Shishkina are building up a good reputation as a coach as well.
The school also hires dance coaches and choreographers when no family member can fill this spot.
THE BUILDING The artistic flying school has been modernised a couple of times during the past years to make it suitable for the changing requirements.
The
lobby with its huge windows and white marmor floor is a very light and welcoming place that is also open to the public (for example at events). There’s a reception desk where new arrivals can find help in the centre of the hall. On the left side there’s a
cafeteria, allowing guests and athletes to have a break whilst looking at the Volga and enjoying the scenery. The chairs at the
cafeteria are comfortable and of teal colour. The tables are simple timeless design and usually there’s only little decoration (special occasions are an exception).
To the right there’s a small
shop for brooms, supplies and souvenirs - the actual shop with more athlete specific merchandise is located in a different building next to the school. However, at this smaller shop newbies and fans can find a few interesting pieces.
After passing the modern but cozy cafeteria guests walk past a
press centre (which is pretty similar to the cafeteria) and can enter the
main arena in which competitions and shows are held. The stands have been enlarged over the years so they give room to as many spectators as possible. It resembles a Quidditch arena in some ways, but, of course there are no hoops. The grass on the ground is well kept and the protective enchantments constantly work, so that athletes can train with adequate precautions at any time.
When moving past the shop on the right side of the lobby there are two separate entrances - one leads to the private area which the average visitor cannot access, the other one leads into an
artistic flying museum where trophies, pictures and articles covering the whole history of artistic flying are exhibited.
Upon entering the private section of the school there’s a corridor leading to
various offices. Here the Shishkin and Tikhomirov families work on running the school smoothly and plan big events.
The corridor continues to the left and leads to the areas that are relevant for the athletes. There are
changing rooms and showers to the left and, further down the corridor, there is the
beam room facing the
medical centre.
The
beam room is just what the name says - a room full of balance beams which are specifically adjusted to the needs of artistic flyers. In this rather plain room the athletes work on new moves long before they try them on their brooms.
The
medical centre consists of three rooms - an office which has mostly light furniture, a treatment room and a room solely used for physiotherapy.
At the end of the corridor there’s the
ballet studio on the right and the
practice arena to the left.
The
ballet studio is quite minimalistic with its parquet floor, the barre and a mirror wall. There’s only a music desk there where athletes can put on music to work with.
The
practice arena is also quite simplistic - it’s like a miniature arena and there are no real stands. As opposed to the main arena this practice arena is shielded from weather - no rain, snow or wind will disrupt the athletes’ work here.
PEOPLE OF INTEREST Aleksandra Viktorovna Shishkina (NPC) - inventor of the sport, coach
Andrey Viktorovich Tikhomirov (NPC) - inventor of the sport, coach
Veronika Ilyinichna Shishkina (NPC) - coach, former professional athlete
Alyona Igorovna Tikhomirova - healer
Yegor Ilyich Shishkin (NPC) - CEO and accountant for the artistic flying school
Natalia Sergeyevna Shishkina (NPC) -advertisement director for the artistic flying school
