A room with a view

This was the view out of our office window yesterday afternoon shortly before the entire area descended on to the roads only to sit there for hours!
We like to talk about the weather in this country and there certainly was plenty to talk about yesterday. The snow started around lunch time and by 3:30 we had made the decision to close the office and make our way home. For various reasons I didn't leave until 4:15 by which time ALL roads in the area were well and truly gridlocked. A 4 mile journey took just short of 4 hours. AAAHHHHHHH

The kids however thought the snow was amazing and spent far too long outside getting very wet and cold. It is quite interesting watching them play how ofter the trampoline is used. Rain, shine, sleet or snow it doesn't seem to matter. They seem fascinated by it as if we had only recently bought it. Considering we have had our Springfree for nearly 3 years it's really refreshing to see the promises we make to our customers coming true before our very eyes

Installing your Springfree

I called a manufacturer of a spring based trampoline yesterday to see if I could get them to email me the build instructions to one of their trampolines (which incidentally still haven't arrived) and was told it shouldn't take me much longer than 4 hours to build. 4 HOURS to build a trampoline - what a ridiculous waste of time.

People often ask how long it takes to build a Springfree Trampoline and the standard advice is that as long as you read and follow the instructions, 2 people should have the job done in about and hour and a half.

If you're really unsure about it before you set off you can even watch one being built from start to finish here. The first one I built took me and a friend about an hour and 20 minutes but now we have built a few we are getting quite quick. The record so far is about 21 minutes for an SF90 and if anyone thinks they can do better then give us a shout and let us know your story.

Here are a few tips to help and traps to avoid:

Assembling the Frame

ALL MODELS
Springfree™ Trampoline supplies two flat wrenches to fasten the bolts and nuts. If you have them, however, use one 1/2" (13mm) socket wrench and one 1/2" combination wrench to speed up the process.

Positioning the Enclosure Net and Inserting the Rods

ALL MODELS
The D-Ring on the door of the enclosure net should be facing towards the ground when inserting the rod through the hole into the frame. If the D-Ring is facing up, the net will be inside out.

For proper placement of the enclosure net, locate the hole directly below the D-Ring on the door. Starting from where two frame sections connect, identify the fifth rod socket to the right of the joint. Insert a rod through the enclosure hole below the D-Ring and into that fifth socket. See step 10 of the manual.

Ensure that all rods are fully inserted into the bottom of the sockets.

Attaching the Mat

ALL MODELS
Warning: Treat any loaded rod with caution until you are sure it is properly installed or uninstalled. Keep your face well clear of any loaded rod.

When inserting the rods, grab the rod underhanded and use your body, not just your arm strength, to push the rod in. Lift the mat as the rod gets under the cleat and then lower it onto the ball at the top of the rod. Make sure the ball is fully engaged in the cleat.

If you miss the cleat on the first try, we find it's helpful to bring the rod back to its initial position and try again, rather than trying to find the proper position while the rod is flexed.

Raising the Enclosure Net

ALL MODELS
Warning: Never attempt to remove an enclosure rod from its joiner or remove a C-Clip from its slot in the joiner while the enclosure rod is under tension.

When inserting the enclosure rods, first insert the short segment with the white ball into the pocket at the top of the enclosure. Next, insert the long segment into the joiner ensuring that the plastic C-clip locks it into place. Finally, lift the rod, bend it up and then insert the end into its socket.

Don't forget that if you simply don't have time to install your trampoline, Rainbow Play Systems do offer an installation service across much of the UK.

Move over SF90, enter the SF68

For many the SF90 may have been the apple of your eye, but in fact we will not be stocking the SF90 for much longer. All it means is that the new SF68 will be the the model of choice in the large range and we expect it to blow away the demand for the SF90.

If you are yet to experience the bounce you can achieve on the SF68, let me tell you a little of why it is SO good to be Square.

· In its 10.5m2 jumping surface, it has a total of 5 sweets spots making the jumping super responsive

· The new shape lets jumpers get a good bounce right out towards the round corners, increasing usable jumping area by around 15%

· A smaller area is required to install this model, making more room for Adults entertaining areas

· There is a slightly softer bounce on the SF68, meaning the littlies will enjoy it just as much as the biggies!

· Its stylish black and white design, means it's one very classy edition to your backyard

The SF68 will be available in the UK from the end of Jan 2010. Keep an eye on the Rainbow website for more information.

So pigs really can fly!

Keep your eyes peeled to Britain's got talent next year and you should see Scarlet, a Hungarian Mangalitza, showing off her trampolining skills. We'll forgive the "el Cheapo" trampoline this time and it should be interesting to see Simon's face when Scarlet starts her routine.

Scarlet is not the first pig in the family to become proficient on the trampoline. Their other pet pig, Percy, used to love jumping until he become to porky bounce.

Mrs Howell, Scarlet's owner said,

"We are really looking forward to going down to Britains Got Talent. Scarlet will be trampolining and two of our other pigs, Arthur and Polly, will be doing their own dances nearby.

"We hope the judges will be impressed and fingers crossed next week we will have some good news."

Good luck Scarlet........I think you are going to need it.

Try Before You Buy

Springfree trampolines are available to try out at each of our Rainbow Showrooms. For details about where to find us go to the Rainbow Website and scroll to the bottom of the page. Springfree Trampolines are also covered by a 30 day money back guarantee. For more information call 01344 874662.

sssshhhhhhh

It's not often that a customer who bought a Springfree from us over a year ago calls for a chat, but that is what just happened. I remembered the customer very well from the time they bought because they were the second person in as many days to call in search of peace and quiet. I had never really thought about our trampoline as offering peace and quiet because at our house it delivers nothing but the sound of noisy children playing and having fun but that was not what the customer meant.

They were already on their second spring based trampoline in 3 years and as you would expect the springs had again rusted and as a result squeaked every time the kids bounced. Being in London meant the neighbours lived in close proximity and they were again complaining about the grating squeaking noise.

I assured the customer before they went ahead and bought their third trampoline that this would be their last and guaranteed that their Springfree would not squeak. Unusually, the customer asked me to put my money where my mouth was and offer a 1 year guarantee against squeaking. This is obviously not a guarantee we offer as standard but I had no other choice than to agree.

What I didn't realise was that they had added a reminder to their diary to call me in a year. They had actually entered "call Rainbow to get trampoline replaced" thinking I would have to eat my words. Even though the trampoline didn't squeak at all, I was delighted they still took the time to call to thank us for backing our product.

I wonder what else we are selling rather than just a simple trampoline?

Is the message finally getting through Down Under?

This is lifted straight from Springfrees main Blog and it makes very interesting reading

We’re pretty excited there’s more public encouragement for consumers to look for safer ‘spring-free’ trampolines.

Today, one of Australia’s most widely circulated newspapers the Brisbane Courier Mail features a story “Jumping for Joy carries a warning”.

Journalist Rod Chester, reports the QLD Office of Fair Trading is looking forward to seeing the recommendations of the recently announced NSW inquiry into trampoline safety (which we blogged about a couple of weeks back).

Dr David Eager, considered Australia’s preeminent expert in trampoline safety, is quoted in the story as backing a push to make Australia’s voluntary trampoline standard compulsory.

And the result of the NSW inquiry could be the first step in this compulsory direction.

“… Most of the [trampolines] sold don’t comply with the safety standard”, continuing that even if pads are used to cover sprints, they are “useless” and give people the “false expectations they’ve got something that is safe”.

The story concludes “The safer trampolines are spring-free, and have soft-edged mats and high nets to stop children falling off”.

And who’s the only trampoline in the world that’s ‘spring-free’ – that’s us, Springfree™ Trampoline!

So with up to 16,000 kids annually admitted to ED departments, we say the fact others are now suggesting consumers choose the safer option – well, that’s pretty good news.

I wonder if the safety reveiw in Australia will have any impact on the way the powers that be view trampolines over here?

Don't forget we are running are now offering interest free finance on Springfree purchases in the UK. Visit the website for more information

Children Jump Start Their Way to a Healthy Heart

With Cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in Australia, it is imperative to teach heart healthy habits at an early age. Physical activity is a key factor in reducing the risks, yet the challenge is to find an activity that is not forced and that children will consider fun. In the lead up to the Heart Foundation’s Heart Week Australia, Springfree™ Trampoline has come up with the solution....30 minutes a day on a Springfree!

According to experts, children should not be forced to exercise as this can result in a negative attitude towards physical activity in the future. Springfree Spokesperson, Erin Walker, said that it’s hard to get children off the Springfree Trampoline, and parents can breathe a sigh of relief as this trampoline was designed with safety as its main priority.

“The Heart Foundation’s website recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on all or most days of the week. Ten minutes of active jumping provides about the same activity level as a 30 minute run, only with less joint and muscle impact and way more fun for the whole family,” she said.

“The Springfree™ Trampoline was designed by an engineer father, Dr Keith Alexander after his wife refused to allow their children to use a dangerous ‘old-style’ trampoline. He set out to create one safe enough for his own children to play on, and after 14 years in the making and millions of dollars in research and testing, the World’s Safest Trampoline was delivered, revolutionising the way consumers perceive traditional trampolines.”

“The design eliminates all the dangerous elements such as the steel springs, steel frame at the jumping surface and it is surrounded by a flexible net ensuring no nasty falls to the ground. Jumping is just a positive form of exercise for the whole family,” Walker concluded.

In a recent address to the national press club, CEO of the Heart foundation Dr Lyn Roberts, said that Cardiovascular Disease is on the rise due failure to realise the importance of factors such as physical activity. In January, a study of more than 1,000 Australian 14-year-olds found that 29% had a combination of risk factors that increased the chance of developing vascular disease.

A little Xmas Fun

The team at Springfree in Australia have obviously got too much time on their hands and have been changing the lyrics to a few traditional Xmas Carols. Of course 'El Cheapo' trampolines come in for a bit of stick. Here is their first effort;

Tune: Last Christmas I gave you my heart…

Last Christmas, I bought you a tramp,
It was an el-cheapo, and is now in the dump,
This time I give you Springfree,
The safest thing you could get from me

Maybe I'll try work this into my daughters nativity this Xmas?
Have a read of their blog and if your lucky enough to live in Australia enter the competition they have running at the moment to win you very own Springfree.

Interest Free Credit

It has been possible for a while now to buy Springfree Trampolines on interest free credit in other countries around the world and you can now do so in the UK.

We have teamed up with Hitachi Capital and are offering 6 months interest free credit on all 3 of our Springfree models. This is great news in the lead up to Xmas and should help more families make the jump to the next generation of trampolines and to jump safe with Springfree.

For more information please call 08444 938080

Rainbow UK appoint RHC

Rainbow Play are delighted to announce they have appointed RHC Marketing to launch Springfree Trampolines in to 2010.

2010 is set to be a bumper year for Springfree in the UK and with sales having doubled year on year for the last 3 years we are really excited about opportunities.

It seems that customers are finally getting the message that traditional spring based trampolines are more dangerous.

Individual Bronze for Cockburn

Karen Cockburn managed to bring home bronze medal in the women's individual trampoline competition at the World Trampoline Championships in St Petersburg.

A pretty good result as she said she didn't really train much this year.

"I didn't train or compete much all year so I wasn't expecting such a great result,"

said Cockburn, who performed a slightly easier routine than the one she used in Beijing.

Well done Karen!For more information on Springfree Trampolines, endorsed by Karen click here.

No cover needed!

Good news to everyone that has asked about covers for Springfree Trampolines - they will be here in the new year. I am not entirely sure they are necessary as ours is outside all year round and covering would just be a pain as the kids use it all the time. But if you really want an all year round trampoline why not pop your Springfree in the hallway?

Cockburn Helps Canada to Bronze

I reported yesterday that Karen Cockburn had helped the Canadian womens trampoline team reach the finals of the World Trampoline Championships. The good news is that they achieved a bronze medal in the team competition. A great result!

The Individual competition will continue through the weekend where Karen will hope to add to the bronze.

The Perfect Christmas Present

If you don't already have a trampoline or are thinking of upgrading for Christmas then you should really consider Springfree Trampolines, the next generation of trampolines.

For more information about the Springfree range give Rainbow a call on 08444 938080 or visit the Rainbow website to place your order. All orders placed before the 20th December will be delivered before Christmas.

Patents

If you have a great idea then it makes absolute sense to patent it and that is of course what Springfree did when developing their trampoline.

Springfree currently hold the following patents or pending patents:

-US Patent 6319174
-Australian Patent 2004200052
-PCT/2004/00011
-PCT/2004/00276
-PCT/2004/000114

If you want to know more about the design process then check out the Springfree White Paper available to read hear.

Karen Cockburn Dazzles

I mentioned in an earlier post that Springfree Trampolines are proud sponsors of 3 times Olympic medalist Karen Cockburn and it looks like she is going well at the 2009 World Trampolines Championships in St Petersburg, Russia.

Karen not only qualified for the womens individual final but also led the Canadian women in to the team final.

“It feels great to get back into international competition this way,” Cockburn said after placing fourth in the qualifications.

“I got a great score on my compulsory routine and although my optional didn’t go exactly as planned, I came out with a decent score.”

Cockburn, who last competed internationally at the World Games in July, is making her eighth appearance at the biennial world championships.

Good luck from the team at Rainbow in the finals Karen!

Is Springfree Worth It?

At Rainbow we are certainly convinced that Springfree Trampolines are the safest way to jump and great value for money, but it is always nice when we hear stories from our customers to back up our claims.

QUESTION:

We are tossing up between the Springfree and the regular run of the mill Big W job.

For those who have a Springfree:

Do you think you have/will get your moneys worth out of it?
Are they as safe as what they proclaim?
Are they easy to install yourself?

ANSWERS:

1: Yes, yes and yes to all!

Very happy and very safe … yes put it up ourselves and probably took an hour or so. I think you can pay extra and have them install it for you.

My DD broke her arm and had to have surgery from falling off one of the normal type tramps. No accidents since we have had the Springfree!

2: Yes Yes and Yes again!!

We won ours and honestly before we had it I would not have spent the money on one when there are the other enclosed style BUT now we have one, there is no way I would consider any other trampoline, if for some reason we needed another, I would not hesitate to purchase a Springfree again.

FANTASTIC and a great place to put crawling bubs while you hang out the laundry LOL

Ours is over 2 years old now and still looks as good as new, still gets jumped on daily and shows no signs of wear and tear.

Can not recommend highly enough.

DO IT you will not regret it one bit.

Oh and they look a hell of a lot nicer too :)

If you want to read the full conversation go to www.essentialbaby.com as there are lots more positive answers like the 2 above.

Avoid the Tantrums. Get kids away from the Box and outside on the Springfree Trampoline

A US study has revealed that Toddlers exposed to too much TV, were at risk of developing aggressive behaviour.

The study published in the Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine; found that a combination of preschoolers watching inappropriate content and the television viewing habits of the entire family could have an impact on your child’s development.

Excessive amount of Television viewing could mean irregular bedtimes leading to lack of sleep, less time outside or creative interaction which may result in the release of pent-up aggression.

Psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said the latest study revealed the importance of play and sleep in a child’s development and learning. He say’s the problem with plonking the kids down in front of the TV is it doesn’t excite their imagination.

Springfree’s Tanya Munro (mother of two boys 9 and 7) found a surprising link to TV viewing and behaviour in her children recently.

"My children’s TV viewing started impacting other areas of their behaviour. My boys are huge fans of Ben 10 and Bakugan and providing they do all their chores in the morning we were letting them watch for 15 mins before school each day. I soon noticed they were becoming much more aggressive and quick to react, they were getting into disagreements at school and even their drawings had pictures of fighting and death which horrified their teachers.

Over the last few weeks I’ve tested limiting their TV viewing to non- aggressive programs, and have completely banned their use of X-box and Nintendo. The boys have been forced to go outside and play the last few weeks, which has not only stemmed their imaginative play, but their swimming teachers have noticed fitness improvement and they’re even getting along better. I know there’s a tendancy to use television as a babysitter, and I’ve been guilty of this as well. But the benefits I’ve seen in my children in just a few weeks has shown me there’s no turning back. We’ll now be limiting video games to 1 hour a week, and the outdoor play is definitely staying on the agenda. It’s just the better choice for us."

Many Springfree parents tell us of how the Springfree Trampoline is a great tool for getting the kids to jump out their ‘Sillies’. Not to mention the benefits of outdoor interactive physical play which experts agree is vital.

How do you monitor your child’s viewing habits to avoid the Tantrums?

Social Networking

As well and through the official Springfree blog and the website you can now keep fully up to date on the wonderful world of Springfree trampolines on Facebook and Twitter.

Why not sign up for up to date news, reports and competitions?

Well I didn't know that .....

The trampoline became famous when George Nissen was photographed jumping on a trampoline with a kangaroo. It was believed at the time that the photo was down to luck but in it was in fact a very carefully planned publicity shot. The kangaroo was not tame and Nissen held its legs to make sure it didn't kick him and as Nissen bounced, so did the kangaroo.

The word trampoline originates from the spanish 'el trampoline' which means diving board and Nissen, a keen diver and gymnast invented it to allow him to practice the acrobatics required for both sports.

The largest trampoline club in the world is thought to be the Gillingham Jumpers, in Kent where 1,500 members jump each week.

The Guinness world record for continuous trampoline jumping was set in 1986 by a 6 man team from Cleveland State University's Delta Epsilon Fraternity with 53 consecutive days of continuous jumping.

The safest trampoline in the world is the Springfree Trampoline. (ok we knew that already but it is still a pretty impressive fact!)

Winter Wonderland

Springfree Trampolines are not just for Spring and Summer! I can honestly say seeing ours in action the kids play on it all year round. This video clip is a great example.

COMING SOON!
Springfree all weather trampoline cover. This great accessory allows you to fold away the FlexiNet and fully enclose the net, support rods and mat keeping them clean and safe from the elements when not in use.

For more information on all Springfree accessories call Rainbow on 0845 1300335 or visit www.rainbowplay.co.uk

If you go in to the woods today ........

As well as selling the safest trampolines in the world Rainbow also sell the best Cedar and Redwood Climbing Frames. This photo shows a family of bears playing on a newly erected Rainbow in Canada.

Great Photos

Occasionally I come across great photos which always bring a smile to my face. We know traditional trampolines are dangerous but this takes the biscuit!

Springfree Win Award

Springfree™ Trampoline Proudly Accepts
Parent’s Choice Foundation Recommendation

The Parent’s Choice Foundation has selected Springfree™ Trampoline as one of the winners of its coveted 2009 children’s toy awards. The Foundation is the nation’s oldest nonprofit guide to quality children’s media and toys.

According to the Foundation’s recommendation “Although our judges are not in the habit of awarding trampolines, the Springfree had so many unique safety features that they couldn’t deny. Our testers, ranging in age from six to sixty-six, found skills they hadn’t known, confidence that needed reawakening, and a hefty dose of much needed family fun. If your family has been thinking about a trampoline, this is highly recommended and worth serious consideration”

This Award reflects Springfree™ Trampoline’s commitment to safety and innovation and is a testament of parent’s belief in choosing the safest products for their children.

Steven Holmes, President and CEO of Springfree™ Trampoline says he’s delighted to receive this recognition from such an esteemed organization.

“We are proud to be recommended by the Foundation whose award panel includes educators, performing artists, parents, scientists and children who endeavor to evaluate products objectively, and pass unbiased reliable feedback onto other parents so they can make informed choices.”

“We are humbled by this recognition and thank our team, and the loyal families who believe in our products. Trampolines provide so many developmental and health benefits but until the Springfree™ Trampoline the benefits were outweighed by the risk. Each and every part of the patented design is specifically engineered from quality materials all over the world, with safety being our number one priority.”

For more information on Springfree™ Trampoline, please visit our website at www.springfreetrampoline.co.uk and feel free to contact Nick Marlow, Rainbow Play Systems Ltd at 01344 874662 for additional comments.

Boy Hurt in Trampoline Accident

I hate hearing of the more serious trampoline accidents that happen and today is no exception. The Australian, has reported that:

A boy has suspected spinal injuries after a trampoline trick gone wrong in the backyard of a home at Rosebud, on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Ambulance Victoria paramedic Amir Samuel said crews arrived at the house shortly after 4.45pm (AEDT) and found the boy lying on his back in the middle of the trampoline, suffering severe head and neck pain.

"The nine-year-old boy told us he was doing a front flip when he landed on his head and heard a crack," he said.

"Given the potential for a spinal injury we fitted a neck brace to the boy and strapped him to a spine board.

"He was treated with pain relief through an inhaler and taken to the Monash Medical Centre in a stable condition."

Our thoughts are with him and I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Not Just For Bouncing

If you thought your Springfree Trampoline was just for bouncing then think again! Simply add children, a little imagination and mix them together for hours of healthy fun! If you don't believe me have a look at this. Or this. Or this!

Australia Set To Review Trampoline Safety

Trampoline sales in Australia are around 120,000 and with this boom in business has come the inevitable increase in trampoline accidents. Fair Trading Minister, Virginia Judge, has ordered a safety review of all residential trampolines following concerns by child safety experts.

The Westmeads Children's Hospital have seen injuries almost double over the last 4 years from 86 in 2005 to 153 in 2008. These injuries out of the total of 16,000 in Australia as whole.

Whilst most of the injuries have arisen as a result of the jumper falling off the trampoline 29% relate to falls on the trampoline itself on areas such as the metal springs or steel frame.

In Australia a voluntary standard was introduced in 2003 which recommends padding around the metal frame. Fair Trading' investigations have however revealed the scary fact that padding currently being sold does not meet these standards.

The inquiry is seeking submissions from anyone with a vested interest in the safety of trampolines including Health Authorities, industry stakeholders, consumer groups, families and consumer protection authorities throughout Australia.

I know our friends at Springfree Trampoline in Australia will be making their feelings heard on the matter. One thing they can be very happy about is that Springfree Trampolines meet and exceed this standard.

What is even more incredible is that there is not even a voluntary standard in the UK.

WOW!

If you want to see some truly amazing trampoline skills have a look at this video which shows Oliver Lemieux training on the Cirque du Soleil trampoline wall at their headquarters in Montreal.

Not recommended for home but you've got to appreciate how good this guy is.

Exercise

I cam across this great poem by Dusty Tincher.

EXERCISE!

Every day I am bombarded
In each direction that I turn
By those who claim that EXERCISE
Causes flab to crash and burn!

I did jumping jacks and sit ups
Went out and bought that darn machine
The one that guarantees in 30 days
I'd be trim and fit and lean...

I put it in the extra room
That we affectionately call the "gym"
With all the other paraphenalia
That will one day make me slim!

Ab mats for doing crunches
A small tramp to run in place
That awful, go-nowhere pedaling bike
That only leaves me red of face!

I have workout clothes and sweat bands
Even a "get-fit" coffee cup!
But that scale hasn't budged an inch
So, I'm on the verge of giving up!

I've just about convinced myself
That it's true what some folks say...
You have heard it too......Eat Right!
Get Fit? Die anyway!!

So for those who are devoted
To trying to make me over, PLEASE!
If God wanted me to touch my toes
He would have put them on my knees!

I believe He loves us as we are
That includes both big AND small
So when I reach the gates of Heaven
It will be with flab and all!

For those of you who aren't so committed have fun, jump safe - get a springfree trampoline!

Softedge Explained

World Class Endorsement

Springfree Trampolines are the only trampolines to be endorsed by 3 times Olympic medalist Karen Cockburn, who supports Springfree Trampolines as the safest trampoline in the World.

Karen knows the world of Trampolining. She started to learn at the age of 11 and has been competing on the world stage since she turned 15. Trampolining has only been recognised as an Olympic sport since the Sydney Games in 2000 and Karen has earned the outstanding record of being the only trampoline athelete to have won a medal at all three Games since then.

Great job Karen and I hope we see you in England at the London Games in 2012.

SF90 - Freedom to Move

The SF90 is the original Springfree Trampoline and offers a huge circular play area equivalent to a 14' spring based model. Is big safe and fun for everyone!

Available to purchase from Rainbow Play Systems the SF90 retails at £675 plus delivery and orders placed before 11am are usually delivered next working day. To place an order or to find out more information click here

Parents Ignore Trampoline Safety

It is a common problem I read about time after time but the BBC reported today that Doctors at Kingston Hospital in Surrey have seen a surge in the number of children they treat for accidents on trampolines. Operations were carried out on 18 children and 28 were referred to the hospital's ear, nose and throat clinic.

Read the complete article here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8273795.stm

Remember that although Springfree Trampolines offer a safer way to jump there is still an obligation on parents to supervise their children when they jump and ensure the golden rule is followed - ONLY ONE JUMPER AT A TIME

SF60 - The World's First Capsule Shaped Trampoline

The SF60's unique capsule shape provides maximum jumping area for today's more compact gardens. With 60 fiberglass rods the SF60 allows active jumping up to 16 stones ensuring fun for all the family.

To purchase your SF60 visit www.rainbowplay.co.uk.

SF40 - Big Bounce, Compact Design

The SF40 is Springfree's smallest trampoline. The number 40 refers to the number of fiberglass rods which replace the steel springs on a traditional trampoline. At 8' in diameter if offers the same jumping area as a spring based 10' trampoline but in a more compact footprint.

The SF40 is perfect for younger jumpers and smaller gardens. To buy your SF40 visit the Rainbow Play Systems website. Delivery is usually next working day for orders placed before 11:00 am.

Springfree Soft Edge Technology

This video clip really demonstrates how effective Springfree's Soft Edge Technology is. Just imagine if that was a child's head!

Celebrities boost trampoline sales

The press association recently reported that:

Sales of trampolines have grown by more than three times in a craze sparked by celebrities such as Madonna and Victoria Beckham, a supermarket said.

Both the full-size and smaller versions, trampettes, have seen an increase of 70% year-on-year, according to Tesco Direct.

This summer its sales of 10ft and 12ft trampolines rose by 355% compared to the same period last year.

Trampoline coach for British Gymnastics, Anne-Sonia King who also runs a trampolining academy, said: "I would definitely recommend trampolining as it increases strength and fitness of the muscles, reduces cholesterol and helps to keep you fit and healthy. Classes at my academy are getting more and more popular - it's definitely a rising trend."

An hour of bouncing on a trampoline can burn more than 200 calories.

Heather Newing, Health and Fitness Buying Manager at Tesco said: "Trampettes seem to be taking off in a big way; they're a great way to exercise and lots of fun too."

Madonna and actress Gwyneth Paltrow have reportedly included aerobics on trampettes as part of their exercise regimes, and Posh Spice is also apparently a fan of the practice.

Better By Design

The best way to remove hazards is to design them out completely.
This is always superior to providing guards, pads or warnings. In
order to remove (and not just attenuate) each of the impact zones
identified in conventional trampoline design, a whole set of novel
engineering strategies needed to be developed and tested. Designs
were roughed out, prototyped, tried, patented, and then thoroughly
field-tested over a number of years. The final result is an integrated
set of sub-assemblies that in concert, remove all the impact zones
inherent in the traditional design, and deliver the world’s safest
trampoline.

The Beginning

To fully understand where the Springfree range came from we have to go back to the Springfree White Paper.

Introduction
In 1908 Henry Ford shipped the first mass produced automobile, the Model T. Compared to today’s automotive technology, it would not be considered “fit for purpose”. Technology has moved on. In 1938, Boeing built the first commercial airliner, the Boeing 314 Clipper flying boat. Compared to today’s aeronautics technology, it would not be considered “fit for purpose”. Technology has moved on.

In 1935, George Nissen invented the first commercial trampoline. Amazingly, compared to today’s mainstream trampoline technology, there has been virtually no change. What is essentially the same design is still being manufactured and is still considered 100% “fit for purpose”. Sadly, trampoline technology, unlike almost every other popular consumer device, has remained frozen in time—until now.

A careful analysis of worldwide trampoline injury data initiated in 1994 by Dr Keith Alexander (University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand) revealed that in order to build a safer trampoline three major impact zones would need to be engineered out of the traditional design:

• The springs, which were in the same plane as the jumping surface
• The steel frame, which was also dangerously close to the jumping surface
• The ground or obstructions on the ground, which could be hit as a result of jumpers falling off the trampoline altogether

After 11 years of design, materials innovation, prototyping, and the application of significant international venture capital, SET Technology (SoftEdge Trampoline) is bringing trampoline technology into the 21st century.

Ooooouuch!

A little tongue in cheek perhaps and not many trampolines have no padding at all, but this situation still exists perhaps more frequently than you might imagine. The most likely scenario is that after a couple of years the padding around the edge of your trampoline has ripped or doesn't fit quite so well as it did on day one and that can lead to really serious accidents like this. You only have to watch 'You've been framed' on a Saturday to what can happen.

Towards Trampolines Without Injury

Trampolines have been with us for almost 70 years. As their popularity has increased, so have the injury statistics. Until recently the solution to managing impact risks has been to supply add-on padding, rigid pole barriers and a profusion of warnings.

The patented SoftEdge Technology (SET) developed by Springfree Trampolines had a "Zero Impact Zone" target. It is the result of the first genuine engineering effort designed to remove all sources of impact injury from the domestic trampoline

From the Springfree White Paper - Trampolines without injury

How many kids kids ended up in hospital?

According to a Local Government Press Release on the 14th August 2008 as many as 18,000 children could be injured over the summer alone whilst playing on trampolines. Even worse 40% of those children will require an operation. Just think how that number could have been reduced if all trampolines were Springfree. I have never really thought about what we are doing as saving the tax payer money.

Jump Safe with a Springfree Trampoline

So here it is, the safest trampoline in the world. the story of its evolution will come later but needless to say it was invented by a very clever chappy from NZ called Keith. Dr Keith actually! Like so many families mum had decided that trampolines were simply too dangerous for her kids and that was that. Not wanting to let the children down and believing he was a cut above the engineering rest Keith set to with the objective that if he could satisfy Mrs. A then he might be on to a winner. How right he was.

Don't believe everything you read!

"A trampoline is a device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric stretched over a steel frame using many coiled springs. People bounce on trampolines for recreational and competitive purposes.

The fabric on which users bounce (commonly known as a 'bounce mat' or 'trampoline bed') is not elastic in itself; the elasticity is provided by the springs which connect it to the frame."

This is what Wikipedia thinks but why won't it let me change it? It should read .......

"A trampoline is a device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric stretched over a steel frame using many coiled springs or fiberglass rods. People bounce on trampolines for recreational and competitive purposes.

The fabric on which users bounce (commonly known as a 'bounce mat' or 'trampoline bed') is not elastic in itself; the elasticity is provided by the springs or rods which connect it to the frame."