Defying gravity: Santa Cruz trampoline athletes soar toward state championships at KP Arena this weekend

On a crisp Tuesday evening in Scotts Valley, the laughter of children echoed through the winding halls of Vargas Academy of Gymnastics. Young athletes darted past, their excitement palpable as they geared up for one of their sport’s biggest events of the year: the 2025 California and Nevada Trampoline & Tumbling State Championships, set to take place this weekend at Kaiser Permanente Arena in downtown Santa Cruz.

Inside the sprawling training complex located on Whispering Pines Drive, giant trampolines stretched from wall to wall, foam pits rested above the floor and safety nets were suspended from the rafters. 

All around, athletes between the ages of 6 and 18 soared through the air, twisting, flipping and spinning in an electrifying display of gravity-defying skill. The room pulsed with movement and energy. 

Vern Vargas, the academy’s founder, stood calmly among the organized chaos, coaching 12-year-old Kyle Schottgen on one of the trampolines. Schottgen began to rise higher and higher with each bounce before performing an elegant mix of flips and twists 20 feet in the air. With perfect timing, Vargas slid a landing mat into place just as Schottgen touched down with a beaming smile — elite athleticism in motion.

Friday through Sunday, Vargas Academy will host the rampoline and tumbling championships, an event that will bring 388 athletes from across California and Nevada, between the ages of 6 and 25, to compete for a chance to earn a coveted spot on the U.S. national team.

Judges will evaluate athletes based on four main criteria. Execution judges how well an athlete performed each skill in a routine, with additional scores for the level of difficulty. Horizontal displacement measures how close to the center of the trampoline surface the athlete lands after each maneuver. And time of flight tracks how long an athlete spends suspended in the air. Upper-level competitors will perform two 10-skill routines, often including combinations of double and triple somersaults, as well as complex twisting elements.

Trampoline as a sport traces its roots back to 1936, when it was invented by American gymnast George Nissen. The first Trampoline World Championships were held in 1964, and the sport made its Olympic debut at the Sydney Games in 2000.

Training for the state championships is no small feat. Athletes train anywhere from two days a week to daily sessions for elite competitors, with each session lasting between two and 3.5 hours. 

Injury prevention is paramount, especially given the physical demands on ankles and knees. “It is scary because you’re super high, but you don’t really notice how high you are,” said Bryce Galassi, 11, of Santa Cruz. Sixteen-year-old Teala Rodriguez Gleitsman of Corralitos agreed: “Your adrenaline’s pumping. When you land what you’re trying to do, and your teammates are cheering—it’s the best feeling.” Both are competing this weekend, as is Schottgen.

Vern Vargas opened his academy 15 years ago in a modest building off Green Hills Road. Back then, he had just 11 athletes. Today, Vargas Academy teaches 796 students, ranging from toddlers in “Mommy and Me” classes to adults mastering advanced techniques.

Trampoline and tumbling continues to grow in popularity — not just as a competitive sport, but as a tight-knit community that lifts its athletes both physically and emotionally.

Vargas says the sport is not just about teaching physical skills. He emphasizes that his coaching philosophy is focused on developing the athlete as a whole person. “We’re trying to make sure that the athletes know there’s more to life than just gymnastics. We’re here to teach them life skills — how to face adversity, manage time, show respect and communicate.”

That focus on personal development resonates deeply with the athletes. “I feel very free in the air, doing flips and twists,” said Scott Valley’s Schottgen, who has been training for eight years and aspires to one day win an Olympic gold medal in the sport.

A former dancer, Rodriguez Gleitsman said trampoline and tumbling was a more supportive environment than dance. “It’s a good environment, a good community,” she said. 

While trampoline and tumbling is still a competitive environment, athletes and spectators prefer to build each other up. “When you’re competing, you hear them cheering in the stands — it’s amazing,” said Ethan Andrews, 15, of Felton, who is also competing in the state championships. 

Asked what it feels like being midair, he added, “You’re really in the moment. It’s like art.”

Photo gallery: training for the trampoline and tumbling state championships

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.