Haslemere is extremely lucky to have around local 100 clubs and groups for people to enjoy. Whatever your interests, it’s highly likely that there will be something that appeals. Discover them all at This is Haslemere.

This week, we met up with one of the clubs – Swallows Trampoline Club – who have been operating in Haslemere for over 20 years, to find out more about what they offer.

The club was set up by Richard and Lisa Lewis back in 2004. Richard is still involved today. However these days Lynn is Club Director. Lynn got involved after her children (now 29 and 32) started bouncing at the club. Lynn told us, ‘I just got hooked and when the previous Club Director left, I automatically fell into the role.’ Christina Linton is head coach. We chatted to Christina, who has been with the club for over a decade.

From the outset, it’s clear that Christina is passionate about all things trampolining. She has come up through the ranks, starting as a junior jumper before becoming a squad member and then going on to coach. She told us, ‘There is something about trampolining that is difficult to replicate in almost any other sport. For a start, for a few seconds, you can genuinely feel as though you are flying.’

It's clear that Christina is passing her enthusiasm and passion on to a new generattion of trampolinists. Children from the age of five are taught properly and safely, building up their skills. As they progress from basic skills to somersaults and twists, they have the option to work towards structured awards badges as part of the British Gymnastics Proficiency Award Scheme. There are up to 15 stages to work through, with gymnasts needing to have reached badge 9/10 before they can move onto a competitive pathway. A number certainly don’t stop there and do go on to compete nationally. However, for those that aren’t looking for that pressure, there are opportunities before then to enter friendly competitions with local clubs. It’s a chance to experience competitions before reaching the higher levels.

A high percentage of members stay with the club for years (Sam Cartwright is another highly experienced coach who has been at the club for 17 years), the coaching team are definitely doing something right! Christina told us about the friendships that the children form. And, with the opportunity for many members to train as coaches from the age of fourteen, this is also a chance for teenagers to turn what is initially an unpaid volunteering role into a paid coaching one.

This approach also brings continuity to the club. Children aren’t taught simply by someone who turns up for an hour to run a session – they are taught by someone who truly understands the club because they have grown up in it themselves. And, with both male and female coaches, there are role models for everyone to aspire to.

As well as volunteer trainee coaching roles, the club also relies on parent volunteers too, particularly at competition events.

Swallows currently have approximately 80 members, aged between five and seventeen years old. Christina told us that, ‘Team GB won gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Following on from Bryony Page’s gold medal, we definitely saw an increase in members joining the club, inspired by her win.’ But the club do have spaces which they are keen to fill.

Their Monday Junior session is currently full and has a waiting list, but spaces are available in the Thursday sessions. In addition, they have recently launched a new Tuesday session which still has spaces.

Swallows divides its main evening groups broadly by age. Younger children train first with older youngsters later in the evening. Sessions are mixed ability with each child working at their own level and following an individual development programme. There are up to five trampolines and a maximum of 25 gymnasts in each session, meaning roughly five youngsters per trampoline.

The club is also inclusive. Children with mild learning difficulties and disabilities are welcome in their SEN session which runs parallel with the Monday evenings mainstream sessions. Swallows also have qualified Rebound Therapy coaches. Rebound Therapy uses trampolines in a structured way to develop movement, balance, coordination, body awareness, muscle tone, communication, confidence and independence.  A new partnership with local charity F⁶IT is expanding this work even further.

From September 2026, specialist Rebound Therapy and disability sessions are being offered at The Edge, with new Saturday sessions designed for children and young adults with mixed abilities and SEND requirements. This new Saturday group will run fortnightly, alongside the existing Monday provision. It is a clear demonstration of Swallows’ belief that sport should not only offer physical benefits but also opportunities to gain confidence, make friends and feel part of a community.

In the past, the club has also offered opportunities for adults over 18 who want to return to the sport, try it for the first time or simply find a different way to keep fit. And these days, during school holidays, there are Tramp Camps on offer too. These are open to both members and non-members aged 5-16.

Lynn summed up the club for us by saying, ‘The club is laid back, friendly and comfortable. We have so much fun, especially at the end of each team and during the holidays… We pride ourselves on being a safe and fun place for kids to hone their skills, make new friends and just be children.’ In her opinion, ‘Far too much pressure is put on children at such a young age these days, so we just try to make this their little escape.’

Perhaps the easiest way to find out more is simply to have a go. Every prospective new member can enjoy a free trial session. Why not try it for yourself or encourage your child or teen to enjoy a free taster? The next five-year-old that enters the door may not decide to become a competitive gymnast but they may discover a sport they enjoy! Or why not sign up to their October half term trampoline camp. Running on 29 October from 10 until 1, it's a great chance for non members to have a go and meet some existing members.

Find out more at:

Swallows Trampoline Club is based at The Edge, Woolmer Hill Road, Haslemere GU27 1QB.

Contact details: - SWTC

Lynn Joyce

Email: contactus@swtc.org.uk

www.swtc.org.uk

For F⁶IT Rebound Therapy sessions, contact: -

Email: hello@f6it.org

www.f6it.org