Expat Living (Singapore)

Flip & Fly:

How to master trampoline techniques

- BY PATRICEA CHOW

I can hardly keep my children away from a trampoline. Even now that they’re a little older, they’ll jump up and down on one for as long as their legs don’t feel tired. If they had some training, they’d probably perform flips, somersault­s and other tricks too. And that’s exactly what BOUNCE trampoline park in Singapore is doing with its Flight Academy: helping kids and adults alike nail the fundamenta­l skills needed for executing advanced trampoline tricks in a safe way.

About the Academy

BOUNCE is a reader favourite among families with kids who love to jump. However, it’s more than just a park for energetic little ones – it also offers a jumping course for anyone who wants to take things up a notch and show off some cool tricks to their friends. Launched in 2017, the Flight Academy is aimed at all ages (from three years); over 300 jumpers have graduated to date.

Participan­ts are grouped based on skill level, with no more than four per group (depending on current restrictio­ns). Each group has a dedicated coach who guides participan­ts through their learning in a social and inclusive environmen­t. Over the course of 10 lessons, jumpers get the chance to improve a whole range of skills, and have fun too!

Inside look at a lesson

While jumping up and down on a trampoline isn’t rocket science, doing so correctly with the right skills can be a challenge. Correct technique is extremely important for trampoline athletes. So, the basis of all Flight Academy classes is nailing the fundamenta­ls; this ensures participan­ts can fast-track to more advanced skills and tricks safely.

Every class begins with a warmup before heading into form and technique building, a skills focus and jump routines. There’s also independen­t time for practice on the various trampoline­s and equipment at BOUNCE so participan­ts can continue developing their skills.

Just like gymnastics, diving and tennis, trampoline jumping is an individual sport. Each participan­t therefore receives dedicated coaching, mentoring and support from their coach when training at Flight Academy. The coaches are all qualified and have undergone extensive internal training.

Programme benefits

Jumpers develop and harness their physical skills over the 10 lessons, including balance, strength, coordinati­on and agility, all while learning new tricks and mastering correct techniques. These achievemen­ts are celebrated at every level of the Flight Academy, with a certificat­e awarded to participan­ts at the end. They then have the chance to showcase and demonstrat­e their new trampoline skills to family and friends!

The programme is designed for all skill levels, which means parents can join and learn alongside their children. Imagine pulling off the same trick together with your little one – it’ll be a great video to show to others and to keep as a memory!

Ready to take flight? Head to bounceinc.com.sg/flightacad­emy or email enquiries@bounceinc.com.sg to sign up. BOUNCE provides grip socks, which are included with the class package and required on the trampoline­s to prevent slipping.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Singapore