Secret Diary of a Trampolinist aged (43 ¾)

Part 1 - Hello my name's Terry, I'm new to trampolining and, yes, I really am nearly 44.

I thought I'd do this because;

1. You can never truly appreciate a sport unless you try it.
2. I wanted to share the experience with my kids.
3. It looks like great fun!

10 November 2002 - I got the chance to have a go at the Sunday family fun day session. It looked easy, I thought I was reasonably fit, and it's appears to be great fun but I was wrong on two counts. Getting on the trampoline instantly knocked 43 years off my age. I lost the ability to stand, let alone bounce and whatever sense of balance I had developed over the years completely deserted me. Pretty soon, and with the expert help of the club members (none of the coaches would associate with me at this point) I was able to string a couple of bounces together before I fell over. Yes, it was very funny and one or two people had to leave the hall before they had an accident and yes my pride was hurt but with perseverance, I managed to complete some of the moves. In fact I overcame the metal block that comes between the "seat drop" and the "half twist to seat drop" where you simply must put you feet down and I did a very clumsy swivel hips. I'd seen my daughter agonise for week over that move so I couldn't wait to tell her! On the crest of a wave of confidence I decided to join the adult class, win my first grade medal in 2003 and maybe a 2008 Olympics appearance.

19 November 2002 - My first Tuesday night adult session! Luckily there are a few beginners in the group, not as bad as me, but at least in my league. I tried really hard, smiled when I fell and listened to the coaches. After may attempts; "push your toes out", "keep your legs straight", "thrust your hips out" (hips don't thrust after 40!), "lift!", "point your toes" (hereafter referred to as PYT because it crops up a lot). Anyway, after all that I did a very decent seat drop (see right) and at least one full twist when I didn't fall over! Every other attempted full twist had resulted in a perfect four point landing. I don't want to give the impression I'm being reckless as the coaching staff would not allow that. I think I'm being cautious using all four limbs to land.

24 November 2002 - They never mentioned the pain! It's family "fun" day again and the strain of the first adult class is really taking it's toll on my body. I can't even describe where it hurts, it's just my body, the whole of it, well mainly my torso. I figure that when you come to the bottom of the bounce and your body stops, sorry, your skeleton stops, then all the muscle, sinew and other tissue (fat) tries to tear it's self off the bones so it can continue travelling downwards. Hence the uniform tearing sensation I have on my body. I liken it to saddle soreness and persevered, only more gently. Expressing ultimate faith in my daughter who is "inserting the mat" I attempt flat backs (see right). Reasonable, so I thought but the coach wanted more "body tension!!!". We had a few PYT's and an order to hold my tummy up. "I can't" I replied, "that's the heaviest bit!".

26 November 2002 - Back to the adults class and a more restrained session than last week as apart from the pain (which although very considerable I will try not to dwell upon, though look out for when I announce it stops hurting), I am also humbled. My dreams of a 2008 Olympic medal have all melted as I realise trampolining is very hard. You can never truly appreciate a sport unless you try it (I won't mention at this point that my wife is a football expert whenever I'm trying to watch match of the day). I have nothing but praise for anyone, who has persevered with this sport. Only dedicated and expert coaching could have extracted the kind of half twist to seat drop I did this session. Also a new move was introduced, the hands and knees 3/4 turn over! Look Ma, I'm tumbling! Did I mention I've started grunting. The tension caused by the pain in my torso is released at the bottom of each bounce resulting in an explosion of air in the form of a grunt.

03 December 2002 - Skipped the weekend family fun session so fully rested I'm ready to go. The remedial back massage I had last Wednesday certainly helped a little. The therapist said that after about 33 years old, muscles start to loose their flexibility. I had a metal image of my back being strung with perished elastic bands. This was my first session with no falls, not even a four point landing. What's more everyone else (in the adults) did fall and that left me feeling very smug. One chap, yes you know who you are, even managed to give himself a "dead-leg". (Can you imagine the position his legs must have been it to do that?) A new move was introduced tonight, a 3/4 turn over from standing. This requires support from the coach when you first learn as it is possible to land on you head, neck and other undesirable bits of anatomy. Coach A didn't fancy supporting my bulk (c'mon 80kg ain't that big) so Coach B (being more expendable) was used for this exercise. Happy to report I managed at least one landing on my back (this being the proper place to land the move).

08 December 2002 - Sunday is funday at the WVTC Family Fun Session. We had lots of games as usual plus some bouncing. Someone decided it would be fun to see me on my back waggling my feet in the air and hence I was introduced to back bouncing. It's must be good exercise as it involves much thrusting and PYT's, only fit individuals need attempt. Also I was asked if I'd like to try going in the "rig". This is a device consisting of a wide padded belt with ropes from the sides to pulleys in the roof. The coach uses the ropes to support trampolinists as they perform complicated moves. I was attempting a tuck jump, not a "tuck your shirt in as you are bouncing" jump that some people perform (tariff 1.7), but a simple tuck jump. It was a great feeling to fall gently back to the bed, like being Peter Pan in the school play. All was going well until I missed my footing and Coach A, still clinging to the rope, was propelled skyward like an unfortunate bell ringer. We had another mature gentleman bouncer at today's session and we're thinking forming an over 18's synchro team.

10 December 2002 - Tonight was all about consolidation, what I mean to say is, I didn't learn anything new. But I did do everything reasonably well at least once, including a 3/4 turn over unsupported! I also managed to string together a few moves (once); full twist, straddle jump, swivel hips, half twist to feet. That's half a routine and a tariff of 0.4! It was very cold in the hall tonight. The good bouncers could feel the warm air at the top of their bounce (because warm air rises!) but I never got out of the freezer. It's a bit early yet but I think the pain is subsiding. Certainly the grunting is under control so perhaps an announcement soon. No adult session now until the 7 January but still the Sunday fun session to look forward to.

15 December 2002 - I have an announcement to make. Apart from a little stiffness around the shoulders, the pain has disappeared! I only hope the the extra pounds (or kilograms if you prefer) over Christmas do not set me back to square one. Did a great seat drop today. OK, it was supposed to be swivel hips but it was still a great seat drop. Also the flat backs (still onto the mat) are coming along very well. At the command "pike!!" the old legs raise to attention. What passes for body tension is achieved by clenching the buttocks whilst simultaneously trying to pass an imaginary melon. Think about this and try it at home, it's my only coaching tip. Since progress is slowing down, I will only complete this diary to mark significant milestones, so look out for; the first proper back drop, the first summi, Olympic gold and the latest injuries. Oh, and look out for photographs, they'll be coming soon. Bye for now.

17 December 2002 - There was no adult session tonight, but because we forgot, we bounced anyway. Produced one good swivel hips (not bad for 2 hours effort), karate chopped the coach (unintentional, honest) and produced waffle pattern on tummy from front drops (later played noughts & crosses in the bath). Speeding up the three quarter turn over by introducing a tuck in the middle was exhilarating but later caused nightmares.