Trampolines are iconic symbols of childhood, representing countless hours spent jumping in the backyard with friends.
But now, trampoline fun is no longer reserved for children with the opening of the Sky Zone Trampoline Park. With five Ultimate Dodgeball courts, Sky Zone brings a new look to dodgeball that offers a competitive environment and a fun way to workout.
“[Dodgeball] is really something that I encourage everyone to try,” said Sky Zone Baton Rouge owner Peter Busenlener. “When you are on [a full regulation court], you’re able to bounce off the sidewalls and do flips to dodge a ball or duck down on your belly and bounce back up.”
Throughout the summer, Sky Zone, which has another location in Lafayette, Louisiana, will have a multitude of ways to play dodgeball on a variety of different levels.
Every Wednesday, Sky Zone will host a Drop-in Dodgeball Derby which allows players to show up and arrange themselves into teams on the spot. Busenlener said these informal tournaments take on a “King of the Hill” style, where the winning team stays on the court for up to five games before rotating off.
In July, Sky Zone will start hosting a six or seven week official Ultimate Dodgeball league where teams of six to ten people will compete together once a week.
Before the start of the local qualifier for Ultimate Dodgeball Championship in August, Sky Zone will offer a warm-up tournament to help players adjust to the more specific dodgeball championship rules.
“[The regulation dodgeballs] are a little more firm,” Busenlener said. “They fly faster through the air. It’s a lot more exciting, and it’s more of a competition pace.”
The regional qualifier will be held in the end of August, setting the stage for the national championship tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada, and broadcasted nationally on Fox Sports Net in early September, Busenlener said.
Although dodgeball is the main attraction, Sky Zone offers a variety of other trampoline-related activities, including a pit of gymnastic foam and a large open jumping area.
“I love the large main court with wall-to-wall trampolines,” Busenlener said. “It’s really fun to be able to jump across an expanse and bounce across the wall and go back across the expanse.”
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.

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Courtesy of Sky Zone