KAPA‘A — Kaua‘i did not let the national jumping jacks day go by without pitching in this week. Sandi O’Shaughnessy, a strength and endurance trainer with Kapa‘a Athletic Director Greg Gonsalves, led a group of more than 50 student-athletes in
KAPA‘A — Kaua‘i did not let the national jumping jacks day go by without pitching in this week.
Sandi O’Shaughnessy, a strength and endurance trainer with Kapa‘a Athletic Director Greg Gonsalves, led a group of more than 50 student-athletes in a minute of jumping jacks Wednesday, partially as a prelude for the afternoon’s strength and endurance program and partially for the National Geographic Kids magazine and First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to set a world record for the most people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period.
“I saw Michelle Obama doing jumping jacks on the news last night,” Gonsalves said while gathering the student-athletes from the football and basketball programs at the Bernice Hundley gym.
Leading some 400 elementary and middle-school students in jumping jacks, the first lady said the whole country and world is going to see how much fun it can be to break a world record while exercising.
To break the record, more than 20,425 people from around the world must be recorded doing jumping jacks and the National Geographic Kids magazine is supporting Obama’s initiative by hosting events across the country in schools, malls, parks and other places.
“We’re going to record the number of student-athletes who participated in this national jumping jacks day event and submit it,” O’Shaughnessy said. “As far as I know, we are the only Kaua‘i organized group participating in this initiative.”
“Let’s Jump!” is the National Geographic Kids movement to get kids outdoors and live an active, healthy life, states the National Geographic website.
O’Shaughnessy, a volunteer leader of the strength and endurance training each Monday and Wednesday at Kapa‘a High, said she works with anywhere from 60 to 80 students during these sessions.
Starting work with the students about six weeks ago, O’Shaughnessy said she will remain with the program throughout the school year.
She is certified and specializes in strength modalities such as kettlebells, ropes undulation and TRX, leading the Iron Lotus Core Fitness program.
Visit www.ironlotuscorefitness.com or call 651-6349 for more information.
