Shayla Waterson: From Orara High to Lennon Bros Circus

Coffs Harbour teen Shayla Waterson is swinging the dream after the famed Lennon Bros Circus discovered her on social media.

Coffs Harbour teen Shayla Waterson is swinging the dream after running away to join the circus.

The 17-year-old graduated from Year 10 at Orara High School - landing straight into Lennon Bros Circus after being discovered on social media.

The newly minted professional trapeze artist is now looking toward a show stopping homecoming as Lennon Bros rolls into Coffs for performances from March 17 to April 3 at the showground.

“It’s always been my dream,” said Shayla, who was offered a job on her birthday with Lennon Bros.

Shayla Waterson says she used to get scared, but hanging from a trapeze is now “just fun”.

The youngster is self-trained and a veteran of circus competitions, after catching the bug as a seven-year-old.

Part of her preparation has been regular workouts on a backyard outdoor aerial rig at Raleigh - but it was her profile on Instagram and Facebook, where Shayla’s skills are showcased, that convinced Lennon Bros to offer her a position in December.

“I finished Year 10 and basically went straight into the circus,” she said.

And her schoolmates were delighted, though unsurprised.

“They always knew it was my goal,” she said.

While the thought of entertaining on a trapeze six metres above the ground would alarm most, Shaylah takes it all in her stride.

“I used to get a little bit scared but now it’s just fun,” she said.

Yet there’s no place for a misplaced step.

Hours and hours of practise on a backyard outdoor aerial rig at Raleigh have paid off for Shayla Waterson who has joined Lennon Bros Circus.

Shayla said much of her routine was on a static trapeze - where there’s no safety line, let alone a net.

“But when I do the swinging I hook up (to a safety line),” she said.

While life with Lennon Bros - an Australian icon that is now an animal-free show - is hard work, it’s also a ticket to ride.

“There’s a lot of travelling, mostly around Brisbane and Queensland and we’re coming into NSW just for a few weeks,” Shayla said.

Returning to her stamping ground will be extra special.

“It’s so exciting to be coming back and performing in my home town,” Shaylah said.