That started the process of applying for funding.
The idea wouldn’t have got off the ground without the support of Trust Tairawhiti, Callahan said.
“It’s fantastic; it gets us to move ahead and learn new tricks.”
The two airbags are the same size as a trampoline and sit at different heights to cater for different disciplines.
They sit next to the trampoline and significantly reduce the dangers of learning difficult new aerial manoeuvres, Callahan says.
“It’s tremendous for training . . . you can’t hurt yourself, and they’re not smelly or dirty. There are so many injuries with foam pits.”
Previously the club had used catching belts, where trampolinists were suspended from the roof with bungees. A catcher would have to control the tension of the catching belt to keep the trampolinist safe in the event of a mistake.
The bags were imported from an American manufacturer and, after some delays with shipping because of the Covid-19 pandemic, they were installed in September.
Callahan says the new airbags will be a “selling point” over school holidays when they run open days at the club.
He also wants to open the club during the day for school groups next year.
Callahan says the new bags will help the club offer programmes in a safe environment.
“There are little seven-year-olds doing double front-flips and playing Superman, where they just fly with their arms outstretched and flop on the bag. It’s just so neat.”
Callahan has seen his sport evolve over his 48 years as a coach, with massive improvements in equipment and safety.
“It’s quite a big sport in Gisborne. Recreational trampolining is also exploding.”
