Stand Tries: Trampolining

Of all The Stand Tries opportunities so far, I was most confident about trampolining. I’d done a little in school P.E. sessions, and we even had a queen sized trampoline in our garden at home. I was reasonably adept at such complex moves as the tuck jump, the pike and the straddle. Once, I even performed a successful seat-drop…

So, as the coach asked if I had been on a trampoline before, my reply of, “Yes” was oozing with confidence. I prepared to wow her with an expert display of moves that I had spent years perfecting.

Before I was allowed on the trampoline, however, I was asked to sign a health and safety form to indicate that I understood the risks of trampolining and that I would take all the necessary precautions. This was a little disconcerting; nevertheless, I approached the trampoline with the view to command it, belying my status as a seasoned trampolining expert.

Suffice to say that things didn’t quite pan out as I had hoped. Proper trampolines are, as it turns out, much more powerful than your average garden one from Argos. On my second bounce I thought my head was going to go through the ceiling. I actually got close enough to hear the fitness class going on upstairs, the synchronised feet pounding on the wood which felt mere inches from my head.

Seeing the video afterwards, I probably wasn’t quite as close to the ceiling as I had thought…

Within five minutes of sampling the most basic moves, the coaches were keen to put me through my paces. I was absolutely shattered but I only had two hours to get as good a flavour as possible of the sport, After I had mastered some of the basics (or, at least, stopped falling over on every alternate jump), I was told that I would be trying a somersault.

Initially horrified, I was taken through the move step by step, and practised the various stages on the mat first. When the time came for me to take to the trampoline, I was joined by a particularly brave coach, who wrapped a cord around my waist and said: “don’t worry – if you’re not going to make it, I’ll help you on your way.”

So, not only did I have to worry about breaking my own neck, I had to make sure that I wouldn’t kick the coach in the face as I wildly launched myself through the air with my limbs flailing in uncontrollable panic. However, much to my surprise, the somersault passed without incident. Admittedly, I landed on all fours and was helped most of the way around, but I hadn’t broken my neck, which I considered to be a great success.

High on the exhilaration of actually completing a forward somersault, I was asked if I wanted to try a backward one. First of all, I was asked to perform a backward roll. I was pretty confident that I could pull this one off. However, things feel a little different on a trampoline, and as I rolled backwards I brought my knees up and smashed them into my face. This did not bode well…

A little dazed, I soldiered on and I was soon prepared to give it a go. Once again, I was joined on the trampoline and, before I could complain or chicken out, I was sent hurtling through the air once more.

Once again, I met with surprising success – a real testament to the quality of the coaching. The coach was slowly slackening the cord as his confidence grew that I wouldn’t severely injure myself – I felt like a dog with its leash being loosened, and I was enjoying the increased sense of freedom.

Finally, with not long left in the two hour session, it was time for me to try one unaided. Nervous, but excited, I flung myself into the air. I can’t pretend for one second that I was graceful or elegant, but I managed to land on my feet and, with neither myself nor anyone around me injured, I considered this a complete success.

Watching the other trampoliners, however, my feat was certainly put into perspective. There are some quality sportsmen and women in the trampolining club, evidenced by the success at last weekend’s BUCS event – there, they had seven competitors, four finalists and two medal-winners. Although I am no expert, I found myself unsurprised at their success as I watched the more accomplished athletes perform their spellbinding routines.

Thanks must go to the trampolining club for accommodating me at one of their training sessions. I am uncoordinated and clumsy yet, under their expert guide I was able to make surprising progress; credit must go to my coaches for their help and, more importantly, their patience!

I would recommend the trampolining club to any St Andrean, whether you’re a thrill-seeker, you want to improve your stamina or you simply want to meet a great bunch of people.

You can get in touch with the trampolining club by e-mailing [email protected]

If you would like a reporter to come and try out your club/society, you can e-mail [email protected]