Olympic Trampolinist Visits Broken Arrow Gym

By Joshua Brakhage, The News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, OK -- Aspiring gymnasts in Broken Arrow have received some Olympic inspiration.

The amateur athletes at the SSB Kids gym had two days of tips from an Olympian.

"They're full of energy," Olympic trampolinist Chris Estrada said. "They wear me out. They make me tired.  They can't stop moving. It's like, 'Whoa, calm down!'"

And this from a man constantly around caffeine. But Estrada has traded the coffee shop for coaching.

The barista was back in his Beijing garb and showcasing the skills that took him to the Olympics.

"It's like flying out of the air," he said. "You come out of a skill and you fly all the way down. It's a great feeling."

Twelve-year-old Sabrina Bogle and four of her teammates head to California next month for a shot at gold-medal glory at nationals.

"I'm going for the gold this year," Sabrina said. "It's amazing actually seeing someone being able to do that, and it makes you really want to be able to do it, too."

Sabrina's spent half her life competing on the 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," Estrada said.

This brand of trampolining isn't just backyard bouncing. Estrada's spring-loaded stunts can be taller than the gym's roof would allow.

Athletes fly up to 30 feet high while twisting, twirling and spinning in midair and sometimes flipping.