What’s the Difference between a Water Trampoline and a Bouncer?
There is a common misconception that a water trampoline is the same as a water bouncer. However, there are significant differences both in construction and performance. Water trampolines, just like their land-based cousins, have springs that connect the jump surface to the supporting trampoline structure. Bouncers, on the other hand, connect the jump surface directly to the supporting structure without the aid of springs. So in terms of construction, the significant difference is that a water trampoline has springs and a water bouncer does not have springs. Although both products provide great fun on the water, the water trampoline provides more bounce than a bouncer and behaves more like a land-based trampoline. Bouncers provide more usable surface area for the same sized tube and are great for general entertainment and lounging, and are a perfect substitute for a traditional hard swim dock. If you are more interested in combining a great platform with the ability to jump high, the water trampoline is what you are looking for.
RAVE Sports was the first to introduce a water based trampoline in 1997 and is known for its trademarked alternating yellow and blue panels. Until 2010, all water trampolines had heavy metal bars on top of the tubes to attach the springs. These types of water trampolines took longer to set up and sacrificed a significant amount of jump surface to accommodate the bar. In 2010, RAVE Sports introduced the Aqua Jump® Eclipse™ water trampoline that removed the bar and wove the springs directly to the supporting tube. This resulted in an optimal solution for tubes up to 20’ in diameter because it allows users to jump higher on a larger surface, provides easier setup and take down, and is much lighter and easier to store in the off-season. Above 20’ in diameter, RAVE Sports still uses a metal bar to support the surrounding tube to provide optimal jump tension.
The Bongo™ bouncer, on the other hand, provides less “jump” and more of a “bounce,” which is why it is called a “bouncer”. The setup and take down time for a bouncer is even faster, the surface area is larger for the same size tube and it is a great all-around recreational water platform.
In all water based trampolines and bouncers, it is important to note that the water below the supporting tube structure absorbs some of the bounce so you should not expect to jump as high as you would on a land based trampoline with either a water trampoline or bouncer. Proper inflation also influences the jump/bounce performance. An under-inflated tube will seem like it is sagging in the middle and it will be more difficult to jump/bounce. With proper inflation using a RAVE High Speed Inflator, the tube should feel as firm as a basketball, and the jump/bounce performance will not suffer.
Whether your choice is an Aqua Jump Eclipse water trampoline or a Bongo bouncer, in terms of fun, you just can’t beat being out on the water!
