Young aerial performers taking it to the park

Ravensbourne girls Eve Eyles (16) and Eira Monks (11) gave their neighbours a free show yesterday, after taking their aerial hoop apparatus to Hudson Park for a training session.

Eve (top) is photographed practising the crescent moon and a dangling Eira was doing a straddle.

The girls usually train at Brophy Aerials, which Eve said was the sole Dunedin venue which offered aerial hoop.

The apparatus, also known as a lyra, is used by circus performers for a range of acrobatic moves.

During the school holidays the girls decided to take their gear to the park for extra training.

"We had it taken down in a car today and we set it up," Eve said.

"That was the first time we’ve done it at the park, but we plan on doing it quite often."