| You can have your own cottage water park that will | | | | you are able to connect the hose to the exhaust. |
| keep the family actively entertained for hours. Not only | | | | Otherwise, you will need a high speed inflator to get |
| are they a fun, active playground, with a built in ladder | | | | the tube easily and properly inflated. A minimum of 150 |
| water trampolines also double as a swim raft for | | | | to 200 lbs of anchor weight is recommended. Many |
| lounging and playing. There is always fun on the water. | | | | people use the concrete anchors used for anchoring |
| Water trampolines come in many sizes, shapes, | | | | docks or rafts. These are available at most building |
| qualities...and costs. Getting it installed correctly can also | | | | supply centres in cottage country. Larger water |
| avoid retrieval problems when the next wind storm | | | | trampolines in open areas may need even more |
| breaks out. | | | | weight. A shock chord on the anchor line will absorb |
| Water Trampolines: | | | | vertical movements and wave action. |
| | | | Bounce Platforms: |
| True water trampolines such as the Rave Aqua Jump | | | | |
| are built similarly to trampolines used on land. A heavy | | | | Lighter, portable and less costly, a bounce platform like |
| duty inflatable tube provides the support and | | | | the Rave Bongo, is a great choice for younger children |
| connections for the trampoline jumping mat. Springs | | | | and families on the go. You don't get the bounce height |
| connect the tube to a jumping mat. A safety pad | | | | with a bounce platform they you do with a true water |
| covers the springs and a ladder attached to the | | | | trampoline, as the flexible jumping mat is attached |
| inflatable tube allows users to climb on board. For a | | | | directly to the inflatable tube without springs. This |
| true trampoline experience, with lots of height in the | | | | makes the Bongo and other products like it, portable |
| bounce, this is the right choice for kids, teens and adults | | | | and easily anchored for fun on the run. As the kids get |
| alike. Quality counts, as water trampolines are not | | | | older though, interest may wane. |
| cheap. The tube should be made of heavy gauge | | | | Again, quality counts. This is a much more competitive |
| PVC. All components must be UV resistant. You can | | | | market with many inferior products. Be sure that you |
| tell the difference just by examining the product. | | | | check the thickness and material of the inflatable tube. |
| Until recently, the water trampoline included a heavy | | | | Heavy gauge PVC is the best. Seams must be heat |
| metal tubular frame that sat on the inflatable tube. The | | | | welded. Look for a heavy duty but pliable mat. All |
| metal frame was strapped to the tube and the | | | | materials must be UV resistant. You can see and feel |
| jumping mat was connected to the metal tubular | | | | the difference in a quality product. |
| frame . The latest designs from Rave have eliminated | | | | You will need plenty of space around the bounce |
| the metal frame. Water trampolines are now lighter, | | | | platform, away from boat traffic and docks. The |
| easier to install and provide more jumping surface than | | | | Bongo is designed to be used only on land or in large |
| ever before. | | | | bodies of water with depths of at least 8 feet of |
| The most popular models are 15 feet and 20 feet in | | | | water. You will need a location that is most protected |
| diameter. They will accommodate a family and friends, | | | | from wind, of sufficient water depth, and free of |
| with room for loungers to watch the jumpers. Consider | | | | obstructions above and below the water. You will also |
| how much space you have when choosing a size. | | | | need a high speed inflator or shop vacuum to get the |
| You will need a lot of space around the trampoline | | | | tube properly inflated. Because bounce platforms are |
| away from boat traffic and docks. The Aqua Jump is | | | | lighter weight, anchoring is quite easy. You will need at |
| designed to be used only in larger bodies of water | | | | least 80 to 100 lbs of weight to anchor it for the |
| with depths of at least 10 feet of water. Do not use or | | | | season or 40 to 50 lbs for day use. |
| allow anyone else to use the product on land or any | | | | Accessories |
| other hard surface or in swimming pools or shallow | | | | Although water trampolines are fun in their own right, |
| water. You will need a location that is most protected | | | | consider adding accessories to make your own family |
| from wind, of sufficient water depth, and free of | | | | water park. Accessories like a slide, a log or a launch |
| obstructions above and below the water. | | | | will keep the family entertained and active long after |
| Water trampolines are typically anchored for the | | | | the novelty of bouncing on the water starts to wears |
| season and setting them up, although easy to do, | | | | off. There is something for everyone regardless of |
| requires some effort and the right tools. A shop | | | | age. |
| vacuum can be used to inflate the tube, provided that | | | | |