Although most good quality trampolines are heavy pieces of equipment they are notoriously mobile in stormy weather. Even if your garden is well protected by other buildings and fences strong gusts of wind, perhaps concentrated by gaps between properties, can lift a trampoline into the air. The damage a flying trampoline can cause may be considerable, not just to the trampoline itself but to your, or your neighbours, property. There are many tales of trampolines which have been lifted off the ground in stormy weather only to land on a garden shed or a car.
This damage and inconvenience can be avoided by taking some simple precautions. You may want to dismantle your trampoline altogether in the Autumn and erect it again in the Spring but this can be lots of work and you may not have anywhere convenient to store it during the Winter months.
As a first step we recommend lowering the safety enclosure netting. On an Atlantic Trampoline this is easily done by just unhooking the loops from the top of the net poles. Just allow the net to fall on to the trampoline mat. If your children intend to use the trampoline during the Winter months then it isn’t necessary to take down the poles as well as this will make it much easier to put the netting back up when required. But if the trampoline is going to be unused for a few months it is aswell to lower the poles and store these on the trampoline mat aswell. On an Atlantic Trampoline the top section of the poles can be taken off without undoing the leg clamps. Just depress the small stud underneath the foam padding on the poles and lift the top section, together with the net pole sleeves, off. A word of warning – if you do it this way make sure the tops of the bottom section of the trampolines are protected to stop any injury. If you have time you may want to remove the bottom sections of the poles aswell using the spanner provided.
The trampoline cover, which is provided with every trampoline supplied by Atlantic Trampolines, can then be used to cover the trampoline mat with the net and any pole sections underneath. Use the pull cord to make sure it is secure. For added safety you may want to wrap some extra cord or rope over the cover to secure it to the trampoline.
By removing the trampoline enclosure netting you reduce the windage and the effect it can have to act as a sail lifting the trampoline edge and allowing the wind to get underneath the trampoline. This effect is much like a sailing yacht healing over in strong wind. But the trampoline can still lift up so an anchor kit is recommended.
The anchor kit consists of a number of steel corkscrew type pegs that you screw into the ground at the bottom of the trampoline legs. The straps feed through the loop at the top of the pegs and go over the trampoline frame ring. It is important that you lock down the frame ring to the pegs and don’t simply attach the staps to the “U” shaped sections that touch the ground this is because these sections could come away from the rest of the trampoline frame and allow it to fly off. Make sure the straps are tightened and check them at regular intervals over the Winter, especially after high winds. Also be sure to locate the pegs where the ground is firm. Avoid areas that are particularly stoney which might prevent you screwing them in to their full extend. Also avoid soft ground or ground which may become water logged.
If you have a trampoline skirt then use this as it will reduce the force of the wind going under the trampoline and greatly reduce the risk of the trampoline being lifted into the air.
If you forget to secure your trampoline and it does get damaged by severe weather, we stock a range of parts which can be bought individually and may allow you to repair it without the need to purchase a new one, depending of course on the extent of the damage. Contact us on the Trampo-line to discuss what you need 0800 032 5879. Many of our parts are also suitable for other makes of trampoline.
Author: Bob Bounce
