Starting West Coast Flying Trapeze in BC’s Lower Mainland was a dream long before it became a reality. For years, Chris, Dave, and Colleen searched for the perfect location to bring the magic of flying trapeze to Vancouver. On August 4, 2014, that dream came true when they taught their first flying trapeze lesson at the base of Cypress Mountain. That very first lesson was full of eager students, including Michael, who now works with us—be sure to say hi to him when you’re in!
That summer was a whirlwind of excitement. We quickly became part of the local fitness community, setting up in Stanley Park for lululemon’s annual SeaWheeze Festival. It was an incredible experience, and we were invited back the following year.
However, the outdoor trapeze season in Vancouver is short, so we moved to a temporary indoor location in Richmond. But our journey was far from smooth sailing. The morning after we moved in, we arrived to find that most of our equipment had been stolen. It was a devastating blow, but the circus community rallied around us. Through a fundraising campaign, we raised $19,000—enough to replace our custom-made equipment and reopen.
Our time in Richmond was short-lived, and six months later, we were on the move again. This time, the local circus community came to our aid. CircusWest invited us to join them at the PNE Fairgrounds, where we spent the summer of 2015 teaching flying trapeze next to the skate park.
While we loved being outdoors, we knew we needed a permanent home. Behind the scenes, we continued our search, and on April 1, 2016 (no joke!), we held our first lesson in Pitt Meadows. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for West Coast Circus (formerly West Coast Flying Trapeze).
Pitt Meadows has been more than just a location—it’s where we’ve planted our roots and built our community. From hosting carnivals and student showcases to participating in local events, we’ve worked hard to create something special. Over the years, we’ve expanded our offerings far beyond flying trapeze. Today, we offer lessons in silks, hoop, hammock, tumbling, partner acrobatics, duo trapeze, handstands, trampoline, juggling, and more.
In 2023, we took another exciting step forward by moving into our current location under the West Coast Circus Foundation. This new space has allowed us to continue growing and serving our community with even more opportunities to explore the magic of circus arts.
Our mission is to be “the circus school for every body”—offering lessons for every age, skill level, and ability. Our students range in age from 2 to 80, and we’re proud of each and every one of them. Whether they’re checking off a bucket list item, pursuing a new passion, or training to become professionals, they inspire us every day. We’ve also created special programs, like our Adaptive Circus Program (ACP), in partnership with the Canucks Autism Network, to make circus arts accessible to even more people in our community.
In 2020, COVID-19 forced us to think outside the box. We moved as many lessons as possible online, and once again, our incredible community pulled us through. When we reopened, we saw the biggest registration numbers in our school’s history.
Though our journey has been filled with challenges, we’re proud of how far we’ve come. From stolen equipment to temporary locations, from outdoor setups to a permanent home, we’ve grown stronger with every obstacle. None of this would have been possible without the support of our community—thank you for believing in us and helping us thrive.
As a non-profit organization, we are committed to making circus arts accessible to everyone. If you’d like to support our mission and help us continue to grow, we gratefully accept donations. Your contribution helps us provide lessons, programs, and opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to experience the joy of circus.
As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue growing, innovating, and sharing the joy of circus arts with everyone who walks through our doors. Here’s to many more adventures ahead!
West Coast Circus Foundation
411-19055 Airport Way
Pitt Meadows, BC, V3Y 0G4
Canada