Tag Archives: trampoline competitions

Competitive Trampoline Gymnastics

Trampolining as a Sport

Competitive trampoline gymnastics has been steadily gaining international recognition over the years and trampoline sports have become an increasingly popular event in the Olympics. The terms “trampoline sports”, “rebound sports”, and “trampolining” are used to describe events in which trampolines are used. Essentially, these sports involve highly skilled athletes performing incredible acrobatic feats, but the individual events can greatly vary— presenting some very unique challenges to competitors. Athletes are judged by their ability to land these stunts safely and effectively without losing their balance. These demands require them to be extremely healthy, focused, confident, and capable of memorizing challenging routines.

Competitive trampolinists often begin pursuing the gymnastic-based sports when they are children. Children are naturally very limber and are frequently slim and confident in their athletic abilities. Trampoline gymnastic events are excellent and effective ways for children to develop strength, muscle control, and motor skills. As the children mature and become more skilled in their trampoline skills, many choose to make competitive trampolining a lifelong hobby.

Stunts

All competitive trampolining routines typically consist of gymnastic-based stunts. There are three basic moves in a trampoline competition. The first is aptly named the straight, and is performed with the legs and neck in a straight position while the arms are down at the sides. The second move is called a pike. Performed with both the legs and the arms arranged in a 90 degree angle to the body, this move is considerably more difficult and demands much more flexibility. The arms and the legs frequently touch the hands and feet while the athlete is in this position. The last move is called a tuck. A tucked position is performed with the arms and legs bent. The knees are pulled into the chest and the arms are securely wrapped around the legs, preventing further movement—much like a cannonball.

These moves are exhibited while the athlete is performing other feats, such as rotations, somersaults, and twists. The combination of motions and moves provide an endless amount of creativity in creating the routines and are easily adjusted for difficulty.

<u>Competitive Trampoline Equipment</u>

The standard competitive trampoline size measures 14 foot by 7 foot and its design differs greatly from conventional backyard trampolines. Competitive trampolines are in a square shape, rather than in a circular shape. They are composed of sturdier steel frames, stronger surface fabrics, and contain more strong coils, giving competitors a higher bouncing effect to give athletes more time to complete their stunts before landing. Advances in the construction of materials now allow competitive trampolinists to become projected up to 30 feet in the air. These powerful tools are also designed to be lightweight and portable, making them easier to transport. This is crucial for athletes who must frequently travel to get to their competitions, both locally and internationally.

Gear

For safety reasons, tight clothing is required for competitions. Leotards are imperative while competing in events, although many athletes wear close fitting shorts or t-shirts when training. Loose or baggy clothing could become caught on the trampoline or surrounding areas and could lead to loss of balance or injury. For extra stability, trampolining shoes with rubber soles are also required. Jewelry, watches, rings, bracelets, and other articles that may pose safety threats are prohibited while competing.

Individual Trampolining Events

Currently, athletes in individual trampoline competitions are required to prepare two or three routines for a panel of judges. One of these routines may involve a compulsory set of skills and stunts that are pre-decided by the panel several weeks or months before the competition. The skill sets may consist of acrobatic combinations of somersaults, difficult landings, flips, bounces, or twists consisting of tucks, pikes, or straight body positions. The age and skill level of the competitors are taken into consideration before these mandatory skill sets are imposed, although more difficult stunts that are successfully completed receives higher scores.

Each routine must contain ten different skills and must both begin and end with the competitor on their feet. Points are deducted for a low degree of difficulty, sloppy or incomplete moves, poor form, and lack of kinesthetic control. Many athletes choose this individual form of competitive trampolining because they are solely responsible for the success of their stunts, rather than depending on the success of their partner. Similarly, any fault during a competition can be attributed to the performer alone.

Synchronized Trampolining Events

Synchronized trampoline events are rapidly gaining more attention, and for good reason— this event is not only much more difficult, but, when completed successfully, is also very beautiful to watch. These events require an athlete to not only memorize intricate routines but also to execute them while attempting to become perfectly coordinated with the movements of his or her partner. Ideally, each athlete will be mirror image of his or her team member. Because of this high degree of difficulty, synchronized trampoline events are considered to be the most artistic event in the sport.

In synchronized trampoline routines, two athletes must simultaneously perform identical routines that consist of ten skills. To decrease the risk of injury and accidents, competitors perform these routines on two adjacent trampolines. Each athlete is judged on their independent level of skill in a similar manner to individual competitions. However, each pairs are also scored for synchronization. Routines are scored by the degree of difficulty and the consistency of the routine. Fewer points are taken off of the team’s score if the pair is rebounding at the same height at the same time. This competitive trampoline event is a seamlessly blended combination of group and individual events and is perfect for athletes who thrive on being part of a team.

Vuly is committed to providing top-quality trampolines and trampoline accessories for the whole family. We provide recreational and competitive trampolines. Our trampolines are tested to the highest standards and designed with safety as the top priority. For any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact one of our knowledgeable team members. Check out our wide selection of trampolines today!

Ben Wilden Olympic Trampoline History

At first glance, Ben Wilden may not be what you expect from a national champion. Witty, down-to-earth, and personable, his complete lack of arrogance and nonexistent sense of entitlement is definitely not what one might expect from an Australian legend. He has won countless competitions and wowed world-class judges with his intricate routines, but don’t think that he has let all of the fame go to his head. Ben’s story is one of hard work, dedication, and staying grounded along the way.

Ben’s Olympic journey started on a trampoline in his parents’ backyard in Adelaide. He has said that his father was very involved in his trampoline interests and taught him safety techniques in addition to introducing new tricks—a crucial combination of skills for his future as an Olympic athlete. Ben’s passion for trampoline sports took off. After only one week in his trampoline clubs beginner class, Ben was skilled enough for the intermediate group. Soon after, he was accepted into the advanced class. The classes fuelled his passion for trampoline sports, and he began entering competitions by the time he was nine years old. Excelling in interclub competitions, Ben soon soared to novice championships and beyond. After winning Australian state and national championships, he had secured his position as one of the most promising young athletes of any sport in Australia.

His victories were not going unnoticed. As a result of his phenomenal routines, Ben was invited to join the Senior National Squad in 2002. His acceptance into the team fuelled him to work harder, be better, and improve more. He entered more trampoline competitions and continued to set personal goals for himself. 2007 was an incredibly busy year for him as he competed in seven international competitions, collecting medals along the way. His fame grew when he won the gold medal at the World Cup for men’s synchronized trampolining that same year. By 2008, Ben blew the judges away with an incredible trampoline routine. His dreams were realized when his score was high enough to qualify him for the Beijing Olympics—an incredibly exciting achievement!

Although the qualification was an incredible honor, it was also outrageously expensive. At the time, Ben was working at a bar in Adelaide. To not go to the Olympic Games was not an option; he simply had to work harder and use his ingenuity to achieve his dreams. Ben struck a deal with his boss and created a cocktail he named “The Beijing Dream.” “I really pushed that drink,” he said. “If someone would ask what I would recommend, I would make it for them. I charged $5.00 for it and got 100% of the profits!” Through his hard work and dedication, Ben earned the funds that he needed to compete among other champions from all over the globe.

His experience on the day of the Olympic competition was absolutely heart-wrenching. He barely missed the cut for the finals. “I was very excited on the day of the competition,” he said. “I had a sore knee, but I pushed through. By the time it was time for me to compete, it was a different experience. I heard the roar of the crowd in reaction to the Chinese competitor before me, and I began to feel so nervous. Suddenly, the lights got brighter, the crowd got louder, and my legs turned to jelly.” After a disappointing first routine, Ben was grittily determined to excel in his second performance. “I had nothing to lose after the first,” he said. “I was going to do the best routine I’ve ever done or fall off trying!” His determined mindset paid off; Ben performed an unblemished routine and completed his Olympic experience by setting a personal best record. “I learned a lot from that experience,” he said. “It taught me a lot about training. If your training is correct, you can’t go wrong.” Since the Olympic competition, Ben has continued his reign as the top male trampolinist in Australia.

Although his natural talent on the trampoline is unstoppable, Ben has faced some difficulties along the way. In 2000, he began experiencing back issues. He was diagnosed with Sherman’s disease (also known as Scheuermann’s Disease) when it was discovered that his bones were too soft at the core. He could not train on the trampoline and his six month recovery was also marked by endless physiotherapy appointments and chiropractor appointments three to five days a week. His condition began to take a toll on his drive. “I became depressed and down,” he said. “I thought about quitting. At 15, I was too young to understand the mental effects of a sports injury.” Fortunately, Ben’s mental determination began to heal with his body, and he pushed through to pursue his dreams.

There are sacrifices that must be made whenever you are an Olympic athlete. “I had to give up a lot of things,” Ben said. “Because my schedule was so hectic, I had to give up my career as a jeweller. I couldn’t go to parties on the weekends with friends. Any holidays or breaks that I had were used for competitions. ” However, he said that his friends, family, and romantic partners were very understanding of his dreams. Excelling in trampoline sports has become even more important to him after his father passed away in 2009. “I do the sport as a tribute to my dad now,” he said. “It gives the sport extra meaning.”

It may be surprising that becoming a professional athlete was not something that Ben ever intended to do. “It was not a conscious decision, but that was the path that happened,” he said. “I had little goals that led to big goals. When you set those goals, you realize that you’re not far off from the big ones.”

Today, Ben is using his trampoline skills in a new and exciting way. He was recently accepted as a member of Cirque Du Soleil and is moving to Los Angeles, where he will continue to stun and awe audiences from all over the world. He is still passionate about trampolines, and offers inspirational advice to other budding champions. “You have to dream big, and don’t be afraid of your dreams,” he said. “If you want to achieve something, you have to go get it and really make it happen. Don’t listen to those who tell you cant.”

Vuly Trampolines on show in the Tramp World Champs

In November, Australian trampoline stars headed to Metz, France to show the French a few Aussie trampoline skills in the World Trampoline Championships.

And representing Australia we’d like to introduce … *drum roll please* …

Blake Gaudry, Ben Wilden, Bethany Bailey and Aslin Styles on the trampoline team, and Jack Penny, Jarrod Spear and Christie Jenkins on the DMT team!

The team in their Vuly Trampolines gear

The team performed admirably in the Championships, achieving fabulous rankings on the world stage between them.

Ty achieved a score of 27.100 in his first routine, and 36.500 in the second routine, placing 43rd. Australia’s Blake Gaudry finished in 18th, with Ben Wilden in 23rd.

Bethany equaled Ty’s 43rd placing and Aslin Style finished in 38th.

In the highly exciting syncro event, Bethany Bailey teamed up with Aslin Styles to achieve an impressive score of 78.6 for both routines for 16th place.

Vuly flying high at the Tramp World Champs!

Congratulations to the Australian team for once again representing Australia, and Vuly, in such great fashion. You are a credit to your country and our company!