Olympian Shares Trampoline Tricks In Broken Arrow

By Joshua Brakhage, The News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, OK -- Aspiring gymnasts in Broken Arrow get some Olympic inspiration.  The amateur athletes at the SSB Kids Gym had two days of tips from an Olympian.

"They're just fun to work with.  They are funny.  They're full of energy. They wear me out.  They make me tired.  They can't stop movin'.  It's like, whoa, calm down," said Olympic Trampolinist Chris Estrada.

That from a man constantly around caffeine.  But, Chris Estrada has traded the coffee shop for coaching.  The barista is back in his Beijing garb and showcasing the skills that took him to the Olympics.

"It's like flying out of the air.  You come out of a skill and you fly all the way down.  It's a great feeling.  Skydiving. Although I haven't done it, but that's what it reminds me, that's what I think it would feel like: flying," said Chris Estrada.

"I'm going for the gold this year," said Sabrina Bogle.

Sabrina Bogle, 12, and four of her teammates head to California next month for a shot at gold medal glory at nationals.

"It's amazing actually seeing someone being able to do that and it makes you really want to be able to do it, too," said Sabrina Bogle.

Sabrina's spent half her life competing on trampoline.  She finished third at nationals last year and hopes some Olympic advice will propel her to new heights.

"A whole 30 seconds of being in the competition and it's over, so I hope they enjoy it," said Chris Estrada.

The brand of trampolining isn't just backyard bouncing.  Estrada's spring-loaded stunts can be taller than a roof will allow.  Athletes fly up to 30 feet high while twisting, twirling and spinning in midair and sometimes flipping. 

And, there is sometimes proof that the hardest lessons are learned on the mat and even Olympians bounce back.