TRAMPOLINE GYMNASTICS
SKILLS OF GREAT SPEED AND HEIGHT
Trampoline Gymnastics are exciting sports, perhaps better known in Europe than in North America. The athletes perform similar skills to those seen in gymnastics, but with greater speed and height.
Leg strength, endurance, and good ‘air sense’ (being comfortable being upside down and twisting in the air) are qualities found in the best trampolinists and tumblers.
These sports are as old as man, with many cultures developing apparatus designed to send a person hurtling up through the air. In the northern reaches of Canada, the native Canadians did this using hide blankets held by a circle of people. Circuses have used a number of such devices to perform aerial and somersault maneuvers. Acrobatic stunts have long been performed on the floor to amaze and delight the audience.
Today, trampoline and tumbling have become more spectacular with the introduction of modern trampolines which first appeared in 1935 and was built by George Nissan. The trampoline has continued to see many advances, with today’s trampolines being cable of projecting an athlete over 8m into the air.
Trampoline consists of four events; Individual Trampoline, Synchronized Trampoline, Double Mini Trampoline, and Power Tumbling. The sport of Trampoline got its start in the 40’s and 50’s and has continued to grow since. The first World Championships were held in 1964. Tumbling, was added to the the ‘Trampoline’ competitions in 1976, along with the newly developed Double-mini trampoline.
The World Championships are held every year, and Trampoline is currently the only discipline held within the Olympic Games.
The FAST Cat program is an introductory Gymnastics Saskatchewan Trampoline (TG) program for athletes who are six years old and older. It provides gymnasts the opportunity to participate in four events (Trampoline, Double Mini Trampoline, Tumbling and Physical Testing) and progress through four levels.
The program’s main areas of focus are: fun, introduction to competition, physical literacy, technical skill preparation and development for both genders.
Gymnastics Saskatchewan has developed the FAST Cat Program to provide an avenue for athletes who want to transition from recreational to competitive structure.
This program aims to offer the development of good basics so athletes will be prepared for competitive levels in the Trampoline and Tumbling discipline.
The program offers participation in FAST Cat events which allow the athletes an opportunity to perform and receive feedback from Trampoline & Tumbling Judges
so they may refine their skills and progress through the levels.
Program Documents
FAST Cat Certificate
FAST Cat Physical Testing Recording Document
FAST CAT
WE SUPPORT COMPETITION AND PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE FOR OUR PROVINCIAL TEAMS AND INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES
Gymnastics Saskatchewan offers competition in the following disciplines of Trampoline and Tumbling Gymnastics (TG):
Tumbling
Tumbling is characterized by continuous speedy, complex, rhythmic hands to feet, feet to hands acrobatic elements lasting around 6 seconds. This work is performed on 25 m long dynamic track. Tumbling is a highly spectacular sport, in which a perfect combination of speed and rhythm in somersaulting and twisting movements are required.
Double Mini Trampoline
Double Mini Trampoline developed from the common mini-tramp, but allows for a more acrobatic performance. After a take-off, the competitors perform one exercise on the mini-trampoline, followed by another exercise onto the landing mat. High level gymnasts execute double and triple somersaults with twists.
Trampoline
Trampoline, an Olympic discipline, symbolizes freedom, flying and space. Multiple somersaults and twists are performed at a height of 8 m and require precise technique and perfect body control. The trampoline is also used as a basic training device for all sports that contain acrobatic elements.
