Learning how to fly — no matter your age

VENICE — To many, the thought of climbing up a 30-foot ladder to swing over nothing but a net is daunting.

However, to the trapeze students under the coaching of premier trapeze artist Tito Gaona, it is "an adrenaline rush" and "addicting."

Tito Gaona was born into a large circus family, spanning five generations.

According to the Circus Ring of Fame, by the age of 3, Gaona already wanted to be in the circus, and after seeing the 1956 movie “Trapeze,” he knew that life in the air was his calling.

With his father, Victor; older brother, Armando; sister, Chela; and, later, younger brother Richie, Tito and his family formed a circus act — the Flying Gaonas, who made their circus debut in 1962.

Tito was 15 at the time.

Throughout his near-50-year career, Gaona, along with his family, performed their trampoline and flying acts with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s “Greatest Show on Earth” and the Big Apple Circus.

In 1997, he and his family were inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame, recognizing Tito Gaona as one of the greatest aerialists of all time.

After an accomplished career, Gaona keeps circus culture alive in Venice with Tito Gaona's Trapeze Academy, on the site of Ringling’s former winter home.

Today, students of different ages, skill levels and backgrounds make their way to the old Ringling circus grounds twice a week to learn the art of soaring.

Why they fly

For many of the Venice trapeze students, Gaona directly encouraged the beginning of their journey.

However, they continue to attend classes for differing reasons, such as getting in shape, having fun or finding community with others.

Allen Brush said he was introduced to Gaona and the flying trapeze "by dumb luck."

"I was pushing the baby carriage of my young step-granddaughter and I could see a trapeze rig," Brush said. "Tito was up on the trapeze and saw me, and motioned for me to come over. I walked in an introduced myself and he let me go on a little trapeze."

It has been 25 years since Brush was introduced to the flying trapeze, and he is still swinging by the academy at the age of 93, making him Gaona's oldest student.

Brush said that flying on the trapeze at his age keeps him fit and healthy while "liking what (he's) doing."

"I just don't feel like walking around the neighborhood like I used to do," Brush said. "Just climbing the ladder, I could feel something right away."

Like Brush, Sara Lee was introduced to the trapeze on a whim and immediately became "addicted" to the thrill.

"I put my daughter in Circus Camp and on Friday, I had Friday off, and I come and just parents are watching," Lee said. "Tito just calls out, 'Any parents want to give it a try?' Not one person raised their hand and I'm like, 'I'll do it.'"

Wearing jeans and a polo, Lee took her first flight.

Lee was hooked and has continued to go to Gaona's classes for the past two years, this time as a student.

"(At first) I felt like I was the old lady. Then when you come here and see people of all ages and sizes and different backgrounds, anybody can do it, it's so much fun."

At 44, Lee plans on continuing to soar on the flying trapeze until her "body gives out."

"I wish I found this 20 years ago," she said.

At the academy, it is common for Gaona to engage observers in class activities.

"I started because of my friend. I would come and watch her and they just told me to go up," Venice High School junior Marcelline Borawska said.

Borawska's first flight at Gaona's trapeze academy a year ago was the just beginning.

"It is something that you just cant stop," Borawska said. "I like the adrenaline."

Borawska credits her quick development as a trapeze artist to the unwavering support provided by Gaona as well as the other class-goers.

"They always want you to achieve more," Borawska said.

Future of flying

The students of Tito Gaona's Trapeze Academy show no indication of losing interest in the trapeze anytime soon.

Thankfully, neither does Gaona.

"We are getting bigger than this," Gaona said, speaking of a future expansion. "It's working at it to make it better and better and having fun, that's the whole thing."

Back in April, a $1.5 million circus tent was approved for the former circus site by the Venice Historic and Architectural Preservation Board.

The tent, which Gaona would move his academy inside of, would be installed on a concrete pad, air conditioned and include comfortable seats and handicap access.

Approval by the Planning Commission is still needed for the tent to be erected.

For now, the academy continues to draw in students to the old circus grounds, bringing them together to experience the thrill of the trapeze without life's distractions.

"It's a great tool for getting people together and getting people out of the cell phones for at least two hours," Gaona said.

By building connections and learning new skills each day, students of the academy are kept wanting more.

"This is a wonderful thing," Gaona said. "They come they enjoy it, they think about it for tomorrow. 'What am I going to do next?' 'Oh, well, Tito knows what to do.' So it's a bond, you know? It's a bond and it's just wonderful."