Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 the Fraser Valley Rec Center offers an adult trampoline class. It is available for anyone over the age of 18 wanting to work on a variety of skills. Some participants are there to work on their rotation skills for skiing and snowboarding, while others are just there to enjoy the trampolines and everything the gymnastics room has to offer. Admission is $10, a price well worth paying for aspiring freestylers, and gymnasts alike.

Spencer Yeck has been teaching the trampoline class for a year and a half. He started out volunteering and took over when the former teacher left. He says he relates about 60 percent of trampoline class to snowboarding.

“This way,” Yeck said, “I can throw a trick a thousand times on the trampoline, go back to my board and throw it a few times, compared to trying it 50 times on snow only, and eventually hurting myself.”

Mmost people are beginners and everyone in the class helps teach each other, he said

“We teach the ski and ride school instructors skills on the trampoline and in return they can teach us on an actual board.”

Whether it’s what a specific trick is named, or what to do with your head for a double cork, everyone’s input and skill level helps. Yeck is using the knowledge gained from teaching this class to eventually teach at a higher skill level, hopefully for a full time job.

Tyler Veerman used to perform with the Gamma Phi Circus at Illinois State University, the oldest collegiate circus in the nation (and it shows in his ability). He started participating in the trampoline class after learning “park core,” now he relates much of it to his snowboarding tricks and would eventually like to teach a class himself.

There are foam snowboards and skis to practice grabs and to get the feel of rotating with something strapped to your feet. Participants also get the chance to jump from the trampoline into the foam pit allowing them to try tricks without having to necessarily worry about landing on their feet. Foam pits have been used by professional athletes for years, and this class gives almost anyone the opportunity to train the same way.

JoJo Goerner is both a skier and snowboarder and has been able to transfer skills between the gym and on the snow.

“I’ve been able to be more aware of my body in the air from trampoline classes,” she said.

Ashton Johnson attends the class weekly. He originally just wanted to learn some flips, but progressed so much that he kept going back.

“My favorite thing about the class is that it’s for everyone regardless of what they want to learn,” he said. “Whether it’s to flip on skis, some park core, or just do some gymnastics flips.”

Encouragement and advice are heard throughout the room such as what to do with your head while in the air, where to look, and how to properly keep your eyes open.

“You never want to fully extend because then you will over extend,” says Yeck as he teaches a member of the class to do a hand plant using the trampoline and a thick gymnastics mat set up beside it.

All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to attend the class. Safety is important in a class like this and it is crucial to listen to those with experience.