Hawai'i Academy

TRAMPOLINE (TR). Although even in the early years of trampolining, notable American and international athletes performed many of the difficult skills and combinations of skills that are seen today, modern trampoline competitions are quite different from those of the early developmental years-due in part to advances in equipment design, changes in the rules and governance, and more systematic training of the athletes.

International competition trampolines (i.e., Euro Tramps) are larger and more powerful than earlier designs and far out perform the "backyard" models that are found today in most American suburban neighborhoods. These modern trampolines can propel trained athletes as high as 30 feet in the air during performances! During two competitive routines of 10 skills each, upper-level athletes can easily demonstrate a graceful array of double and triple somersaults with multiple twists.

DOUBLE MINI-TRAMPOLINE (DMT). Double mini is a relatively new sport that combines the horizontal run of tumbling with the vertical rebound of trampoline. After a short run, the athlete jumps onto a small two-level trampoline to perform a rebounding skill immediately followed by a dismount element onto a landing mat. Double mini is similar in concept to springboard diving, using a mat instead of water.

POWER TUMBLING (TU). Power tumbling is performed on an elevated fiberglass rod floor that helps tumblers propel themselves higher than a basketball goal as they demonstrate speed, strength and skill while executing a series of acrobatic maneuvers. Top-level contenders will perform explosive somersaults with multiple flips and twists.

SYNCHRONIZED TRAMPOLINE(SY). Synchronized trampoline demands the same athletic skill as individual trampoline, while adding the element of precision timing. Using two trampolines, two athletes perform identical 10-skill routines at the same time. In this most artistic event in the sport, each performs is a mirror image of the other, doubling the visual beauty of trampoline competition.

HISTORY. Trampoline and tumbling can be traced to archaeological drawings in ancient China, Egypt, and Persia. Over the years, a number of methods have been devised to allow man to gain time in the air and perform a variety of skills. The trampoline is one of these methods.

An American, George Nissen, invented the first portable trampoline in 1936. From 1947 through 1964, trampolining was included as an event in gymnastics competitions by both the Amateur Athletic Union and National Collegiate Athletics Association.

The first Trampoline World Championships were held in 1964. Trampoline was first recognized as a sport in its own right in the United States in 1967. Trampoline made its debut as an Olympic sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Power tumbling, first performed on simple mats, has had US National Championships dating back to 1886. A number of different surfaces have been used for power tumbling, including mats, ski floors, spring floors and today's fiberglass rod floors, invented by Randy Mulkey.

Double Mini competition was added in 1978. The first double mini began as two individual mini-trampolines, separated by a small table covered by a mat. Later, a one-piece unit was developed by Bob Bollinger. This unit is still used today as the official equipment of the event.

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