Kerr prepares for world trampoline titles

Press, 20 April 1982, Page 36

Kerr prepares for world trampoline titles

Alan Kerr is an expert on the mini and double-mini trampoline so there is no shortage of lift in his life; but a few weeks ago he received an additional boost -when he was named in the New Zealand team to compete in the world open trampoline championships, and the world age-group championships, in the United States next month. Kerr, aged 17, and the only Christchurch member of a team of six, is training at every opportunity to ensure he is adequately prepared to meet the best in the world. For a time there was some doubt whether Kerr would be able to make the trip because of a lack of finance. Two Christchurch companies have helped with sponsorship but several hundred dollars of the $4OOO necessary has still to be found. Kerr will compete in the world open . trampoline championships at Bozeman, Montana, on the double-mini trampoline, and then move to Rockford, Illinois, for the world age-group championships on the same apparatus. As the name suggests the double mini-trampoline is two small trampolines side by side. It is difficult apparatus to compete on, and is based more on gymnastic type movements, rather than those seen on the conventional, large trampoline.

The double-mini is relatively new in New Zealand but is well established overseas. At the world open championships, which are open only to elite athletes, Kerr will face competitors from Japan, the United States, Russia, East Germany, Great Britain and Switzerland. He has not. competed at this level before, but is determined not to be overawed by the competition. Kerr has had some difficulty in finding suitable training facilities and sufficient ' time to complete his training. He requires a gymnasium with a roof height of at least six metres. He has even struck his legs against beams with a roof of that height. In preparation for the tournament Kerr has been training four days a week, and between one and two hours at a time.' Kerr has a distinguished record on the trampoline. He has won two New Zealand titles, competed against Australia twice, and in the Pan Pacific championships last year. He. was fourth on the double-mini trampoline at those championships and fourth in the 15 to 17 years age group in the synchronised trampoline at the world age-group competition in Australia last year.