Trampoline centre Ryze proves a summer hit with Hong Kong youth
For Hong Kong youngsters more comfortable with computer games it might not seem the obvious place for a summer outing, but a trampoline park in Quarry Bay is proving a big hit.
For Hong Kong youngsters more comfortable with computer games it might not seem the obvious place for a summer outing, but a trampoline park in Quarry Bay is proving a big hit.
"We've sold out almost every session, every day," said Felicia Liu Ho-ming, a member of the Ryze trampoline park's "flight crew" whose job is looking after the 100 or so who are jumping in the park at any given hour.
Late yesterday afternoon the venue was full, and by 5.30pm a long line of enthusiastic teens was snaking across the waiting room.
With the lure of trampoline dodge ball, somersaults into pits filled with foam blocks, and even trampoline dance parties at night, an estimated 16,000 people have passed through, paying HK$150 a ticket, since July 18, said staff manager Brian Tong.
But media reports of children suffering injuries have alarmed some parents, such as Vivian Tong Pui-ling, 40, a banker.
"It's a bit dangerous. It could be better if they separated the kids from the adults."
Her son, Darryl, five, bounced enthusiastically nearby sporting a pair of sunglasses, a bright yellow Hawaiian shirt and pants ensemble with a small toy dog tucked into the waistband.
"We'd come back, but maybe for the session for kids and during the weekday when it's quieter," she said. "Do you want to come back?"
"Yes!" Darryl replied, enthusiastically.
Tong said while there had been a few minor injuries, with a few bumps, bruises and sprains, they had never had to call an ambulance.
And the park has sought to allay fears by posting data from the in 2002 showing that two of every 1,000 people in a metropolitan community sports facility suffered injuries from trampolining, compared with 21 in every 1,000 who played soccer.
Tong said the biggest problem was with five-to-10-year-olds who were easily excited.
"Every sport is dangerous if you don't understand or aren't paying attention," said May Kwong, head coach at Sportscene, a company that runs trampolining and gymnastics classes.
The trampolines she said looked like they had much less bounce than those used in her classes.
While participants are required to sign a liability waiver saying they are aware of the risks and take full responsibility should accidents happen, the park has taken out public liability insurance.
