“Twice as much time in the air”

In addition to freestyle stars, the new trampoline area of Kuusamo Sport Centre serves local families with children. Safety and clear features are important for both user groups.

Coaching manager Mika Pelli says, the larger trampoline was bought because the Vuokatti-Ruka Sport Academy snowboarders moved from Vuokatti to Ruka. The number of athletes increased from thirty to fifty. Pelli says that trampoline training is emphasised in snowboarding and free skiing, where it is an important part of coordination training.

“Circular somersaults can be added to dry training differently, before moving tricks to snow. The new trampoline is bigger and more efficient than before, so we have twice as much in the air.”

Although it is heavily used in freestyle calculations, trampoline training is part of the wider Alpine programme.

“In Alpine sports, control of the middle body and entire body is also a determining factor, and the trampoline is also used to find it.”

Students of the Sport Academy use the trampoline regularly in addition to their sport training, as well as during leisure time. Outside the academy, the trampoline can be booked by anyone in city of Kuusamo.

“Booking show that families with children have found a new trampoline.”

The old somersault pit of the sport centre had already been used as a location for a trampoline, but the trampoline had aged. In addition to installing the trampoline, RS Parks developed the trampoline area as a modern site. In the past, the trampoline was surrounded by safety nets. There are no nets in RS Parks solution: one side has a trampoline shelf, and on two sides there are closed and padded walls. The floor level of the only open side is made safe with a safety mattress.

The walls are used in training as part of the trajectory and significantly expand the ways in which the trampoline can be used. The change particularly supports especially the movement that promotes body control. At the same time, there was a need for storage space under the shelves at the sport centre.

Pelli says that replacing transparent nets with two sides helps trampoline users to understand their position and location on the trampoline surface.

“Now there are clear shapes and lines around the trampoline, which has increased safety. The solution is also more spacious and brighter than the previous one,” Pelli says.