Pupils at the SALTA Gymnastics academy watch as a teammate traverses the running trampoline on Thursday afternoon. Gymnastics Alberta has announced that its insurance will no longer cover the use of trampolines at clubs for drop-in users and birthday parties.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
Medicine Hat News
New sport federation rules that govern gymnastic clubs mean trampolines are now off limits to children who attend drop-in playtime or book birthday parties.
Clubs throughout the province, including SALTA Gymnastics in Medicine Hat, were informed of the change on Wednesday, and local staff scrambled to cordon off trampolines from drop-in users that evening.
It stems from increased insurance premiums, which are paid by clubs in a group format though the provincial body. But those have risen due to a high number of claims, and to cut down costs Alberta Gymnastics will not allow casual users.
Club members and those training for competition are still allowed on when a qualified instructor or coach is present.
SALTA officials say however, the move will put a damper on drop-in sessions and possible revenue from birthday party bookings for small children.
“It’s not coming from us, it’s coming from the Alberta Gymnastics Federation, and obviously, we have to follow their rules,” said Eva Paniti-Meyer, of SALTA.
The organization is hoping for some changes to the policy that was only made public this week, and already has been criticized by some parents.
Paniti-Meyer adds that children can still jump in to foam and ball pits nearby, have access to the springy floor, mats and other apparatus, but are barred from the tumbling track and training trampolines, as well as the individual bouncers that are eight inches tall.
“Anything with coil springs, we can’t use,” said Paniti-Meyer.
The trampolines are an extremely popular feature, and the club currently books up to six birthday parties each weekend. They are also an obvious recruitment tool to get children interested in the sport, said Rebecca Sklarchuk, SALTA’s competitive program director.
“It’s a safe environment here — there are pads everywhere — and if we have proper staff in place, I don’t see the problem,” she said, adding that in her opinion, the problem of injuries involves unsupervised backyard trampolines and private trampoline parks.
SALTA president David Stevens said the staff is contemplating how to work within the ban, but the devices are a big draw.
“Kids love jumping on trampolines,” said Stevens. “We’ll adapt, SALTA isn’t going anywhere.”
