The Springfree Trampoline won the US Children’s Product of the Year Award this year. Springfree was designed by Professor Keith Alexander of Canterbury University Mechanical Engineering department. He designed it because he wanted a safe trampoline for his children. When he suggested buying a trampoline, his wife said, “…I won’t have one of those death traps in my back yard…you’re a smart guy…if you want a trampoline in our backyard, then go make a better one…”. And he did. This is now the safest trampoline in the world.

On a traditional trampoline, children can fall onto the ground or fall onto the metal frame or the metal springs. In New Zealand, 2,000 children every year have injuries from traditional trampolines. In the past, insurance companies in the US would not pay for trampoline accidents but now they are changing their minds with the new spring free model.

Perhaps you have seen one of these trampolines in a New Zealand yard. They are round or oval in shape, have a high net around them and have no metal springs. The net is held in place with flexible fiberglass rods.

Now the Springfree is sold in more than 20 countries. However, 70% of each trampoline is made in New Zealand earning about $30m a year for the company.