Welcome to the Standing Acro Convention 2026!
Celebrating the ambition and creativity of partner and group acrobatics
The 2026 event has now passed
Friday 17th - Sunday 19th July 2026
What to expect
The Standing Acro Convention is a three-day training event for partner and group acrobatics.
You can expect serious skill-building supported by a genuinely fun, welcoming atmosphere - a vibrant mix of training, creativity, and connection.
Choose your own adventure from over 30 workshop choices, including:
Partner acrobatics - hand to hand, dynamic skills, and acrobalance
Group acrobatics - towers, banquine, swinging, and stunts
Creative acrobatics - dance acro, sequencing, and movement exploration
All workshops are led by experts in their field, with progressions that support consolidation of fundamentals and advance towards more demanding skills. Workshops are offered in small groups at multiple levels from introductory to advanced.
Outside of workshops there are loads more opportunities to learn and connect, including individual coaching, jam time, and a social evening.
“It’s everything I want from an acro event - great teachers and workshops, safe and supportive environment and a real focus on community”
Level
The event is multi-level, with classes on fundamental skills, intermediate inspiration, and advanced training up to one arms, saltos and 3 high variations.
Our programme aims to offer something for everyone, whether you're an enthusiastic hobbyist or professional acrobat.
We cover a wide range of styles and levels, however there is a minimum requirement to ensure safe spotting and progression:
Standing foot to hand with an unassisted entry and exit.
Solo handstand against a wall for 30 seconds
Ability to perform the above will enable you and those around you to get the most out of the programme.
Do I need a partner?
No - we welcome attendees coming solo, in pairs, or in groups.
We start the event with group mixing and trust-building so that everyone can make new connections before diving into workshops.
We think intentionally about workshop placement for solo participants: every workshop round will include options for group or duo work that doesn’t demand a high level of calibration.
Venue
The event is held at Chellaram Sports Complex, Bristol BS8 3QD.
The shiny new sports hall is equipped with puzzle mats, crash mats, and 4 sets of lunge lines.
There are green fields outside the doors for a revitalising walk or breath of fresh air.
There are showers, changing rooms, and free parking.
Food
We provide hot lunches (main + sides) onsite so you can spend time training and socialising rather than finding food. Most dietaries (vg, gf etc) can be catered for.
There are plenty of water fountains in the venue.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included. It may be possible to stay with local acrobats, or there are a range of hostels, apartment rentals or campsites in the local area.
Meet The Teachers
We bring together the best teachers we know from around the world. Collectively they offer a diversity of styles (circus, gymnastics, cheer, dance), to offer techniques for different physicalities and skillsets.
Harry & Kirsty
Kirsty and Harry have been dedicated full-time acrobats for over 13 years, earning a strong reputation in the UK and beyond.
As founders of multiple companies, including Akimbo Acrobatics and Farm Yard Circus, they have toured original circus theatre across 12+ countries, sharing their unique mix of skill, storytelling, and physical comedy with diverse audiences worldwide.
They trained at Circomedia (Bristol) and Pitch Catch Circus (USA) and have continued developing their skills in acro, performing and teaching all around the world. They have taught at many international acro events including LEAP, Pitch Catch Circus and Egypt Acro Convention.
Yska & Amir
Yska and Amir have been living and practicing together since 2015. Partner acro is an integral part of their identity as human beings and as a couple.
Yska studied circus arts in “Sandciel” and “Shabazi” circus, and is a certified gymnastics and movement therapy trainer.
Amir is a circus artist, group facilitator and lawyer. He also studied in “Shabazi” circus school.
Yska and Amir teach diverse audiences around the globe, including at LEAP and French Acro. They also perform with their ensemble circus company - “Seventy Percent”. They love to share their knowledge and experience with others.
Rachel Locks
Rachel is an acrobatic base. Her biggest childhood struggle was sitting still, that is until she found an outlet in Sports Acro. She competed nationally for 8 years and during her career won multiple national titles.
Now an international circus performer, Rachel has just finished performing in a West End Musical in London. She has toured with companies such as Highwire Entertainment, One Fell Swoop, and Copenhagen Collective.
Outside of circus Rachel likes petting any animal that will let her, anything outdoors, and giving dodgy homemade tattoos.
Leo Ward
Leo Ward is a professional Acrobat and Circus performer based in Bristol. Starting his career on the festival circuit, he gained experience in acrobatics, doubles trapeze, fire eating, walkabout theatre, juggling and close up magic.
After first training at Circomedia in Bristol, Leo spent the next decade developing his craft alongside internationally renowned companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Dragone, and Company XY.
With a focus on group acrobatics, Leo’s coaching style is simple, direct, and effective: build strong foundations, repeat the right drills, and progress becomes inevitable.
Verena Lanena
Verena has more than 15 years of experience of acro teaching throughout Europe. Starting out as a talented acrobat, Verena's background in aerobic gymnastics and figure skating gave her a knack for picking up new movements quickly and paying attention to the smallest details.
Verena's specialty lies in understanding the physics behind each trick, which she breaks down in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, Verena can help you improve your skills and technique with her wealth of knowledge and experience.
Her favorite disciplines are Standing Dynamics and handstands, but she's also well-versed in Icarian, Dance Acro, H2H and more.
Ethan Leamon
Ethan is a hand-to-hand teacher who specialises in dynamic acrobatics and stylised flips.
Starting off as a freerunner, Ethan trained acrobatics in circus schools for 9 years, specialising as a dynamic hand to hand base. Since then, he has made it his mission to coach and raise the level of H2H in the UK.
Ethan really enjoy analysing tricks and seeing how technique adapts to different people.
He’s been involved in every Standing Acro convention so far and enjoys meeting people with the same passion for acro!
Matt & Tasha
Tasha and Greeny are professional circus artists and local superstars. Specialising in partner acrobatics, hand-balance, and juggling (often at the same time) they both travel and perform worldwide.
Coming from a mixed background of fine arts, gymnastics, BMX and flow arts, Matt trained at the National Centre for Circus Arts in London, before joining Tash and building their international performing careers.
Both are very good at balancing all sorts of objects, themselves, and each other!
They were a joy at last year’s Standing Acro and we’re excited for them to share more this year!
Jonny Crane
Jonny’s been training and teaching partner acro for over 10 years now. Self-described as “standing still while someone does something interesting on top of me”, Jonny has been a stalwart at this event since we started in 2023.
With a knack for breaking complex movements down into small components, his drills and progressions will accelerate you towards your goals with increased confidence and understanding.
Last year Jonny added performance credits to his extensive teaching experience, performing hand to hand in a 6-month tour with Cirque: the Greatest Show.
Ronan Jenkinson
Born and bred in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ronan found circus at the age of eight, after his parents decided it was safer than letting him continue testing gravity in nearby trees. What began as damage control grew into a practice that has shaped more than two decades of movement, performance, and exploration.
Ronan’s skills have taken him around the world performing, teaching, and creating within collaborative and ensemble-driven environments, alongside leading companies and artists including The 7 Fingers, Gravity & Other Myths, and Cirque Éloize. Drawn to both the physical craft and the questions it raises, Ronan’s practice explores risk, trust, and collaboration — using circus as a way to challenge comfort, rethink limits, and engage more deeply with the world around him.
Cost
Full Convention with Food - £220
Full Convention without Food - £200
Single Day (includes lunch) - £90
Payment is possible by card or in instalments.
Any Questions?
Contact us (Mabel and Michal) at @standingacro or mm.acrobatics@gmail.com.
Otherwise, you can get your tickets below.