Photo By Jay Parco | Cpl. David Cox, a communications technician at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay,...... read more read more
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KAPOLEI, Hawaii — Marines with the Single Marine and Sailor Program leaped at the opportunity of visiting iTrampoline Hawaii in Kapolei, Hawaii, July 24.
iTrampoline Hawaii, which opened its doors in March, boasts more than 14,000 square feet for its patrons to bounce and play. The space is partitioned into various sections, each one for a different function, whether playing sports or basic jumping. In one section, patrons can leap into a pile of soft, blue foam cubes. In addition to the large, multicolored trampolines, there is a seating area for folks recovering from hours of literally bouncing off the walls.
This was SMSP’s fi rst trip to iTrampoline Hawaii, meeting at
Kahuna’s Recreation Center and riding together to Kapolei. Karley Peterson, the SMSP coordinator, said she heard about the place from a friend, and said it is likely the group will visit iTrampoline Hawaii again in the future.
“It actually is really fun for all ages,” Peterson remarked.
Patrons at iTrampoline Hawaii are also able to play sports like
dodgeball and basketball while bouncing on trampolines.
While visiting, the Marines played dodgeball together. Cpl. Franklin Junay Lemus, an administrative specialist with Marine Aircraft Group 24 was among those attending. Though some may wonder if dodgeball is more challenging on a trampoline surface, the Houston native didn’t think twice about it.
“You forget you’re on a trampoline,” Junay Lemus said. “You get into the game.”
Junay Lemus said there were trampolines that allowed jumping from the side.
“The best part for me was just jumping, having the ability to just jump for as long as you want,” he added.
“It was pretty cool,” said Cpl. David Cox, a communications technician at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay. “It was definitely tiring.”
Cox had seen advertisements for places like iTrampoline Hawaii on the mainland U.S., but this was his first visit to a trampoline amusement venue.
Peterson said the goal is to get more single Marines and sailors to participate in the activities throughout the year. This was just one of many activities SMSP offers to single, unaccompanied Marines and sailors aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
Junay Lemus expressed his fondness for the program as it keeps him busy and encourages Marines and sailors to stay physically active.
Many of the activities are physical, including hiking, surfing and now, jumping. Junay Lemus in particular enjoyed the shark cages tour, where he could get a close-up, underwater view of sharks from a cage.
“It was by far the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” Junay Lemus said. “I was just amazed by it. We were surrounded by sharks. It was crazy.”
In August, single Marines and sailors will explore the island of Maui, engaged in many activities including hiking in the Seven Sacred Pools in Hana, Hawaii, zip-lining and riding an all-terrain vehicle tour at Kahoma Ranch.
The program also offers many volunteer opportunities for service members. Volunteers with SMSP currently visit Manawalea Ranch in Waimanalo, which provides horseback riding for people with special needs. The Marines and sailors assist with caring for the horses and the ranch’s clients. Volunteers also visit the Hawaiian Humane Society in Honolulu to take the shelter’s adoptable dogs running.
Cox, a native of Forest Hill, Calif., has volunteered for various SMSP events this year, such as a beach cleanup, and assisting in building a playground at the local YMCA.
“It’s proactive, something to do, keeps me busy,” Cox said of the events. “(SMSP has) always got something going on.”
For more information about SMSP events, call 254-7593.
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2013 21:51 |
| Story ID: | 111294 |
| Location: | KAPOLEI, HI, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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