Wednesday, May 20, 2009

World's Highest Springboard -- 876 Feet High!!


Yes you read that correctly -- 876 feet high (or 265 Meters) this old style "Cheeseboard" that has been painted yellow has been used at the wildly popular "Bridge Days" in West Virginia for a number of years as a "Method of Exit" for B.A.S.E. Jumpers to exit the bridge.

The Extreme Sport of B.A.S.E. Jumping (Building / Antenna / Structure / Earth) attracts people from all over the world to watch these crazy people go off a diving board that is 876 feet above the water below them. The water is about 12 inches deep!! The B.A.S.E. Jumpers "exit" the bridge by way of the diving board, wait just a second or two and then throw their parachute to (hopefully) land safely in the water below them.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

How To Paint a Trampoline "String" Bed

Seems like an unusual article -- "How to Paint a Trampoline "String" Bed -- most people probably do not realize that this is part of the ongoing maintenance that needs to be done to your string bed to keep it in top working condition and help make it last a long time.

The Manufacturer recommends re-painting your String Bed every 6 – 12 months depending on usage. In extreme use cases -- such as sporting clubs -- repainting may be required as often as every 3 – 4 months.

If the trampoline is permanently sited outdoors, the frequency of repainting will need to be increased. Provided the correct repainting cycle is observed, the trampoline may be left outdoors indefinitely as the coated Terylene string is resistant to sunlight and rain.

PAINTING:

* Wash the bed with a VERY MILD soap and water solution using a soft bristle brush.
* Allow bed to completely dry before painting.
* Insert a pencil between each string intersection to straighten out the weave (even out the “boxes” created by the string intersections)
* Tape off red markings on mat both top and bottom.
* Spread drop cloths all around and underneath the bed – this is a very messy job!!
* Use a good quality acrylic paint.
* Paint should be applied while bed is mounted in frame.
* Apply paint with a roller applicator to BOTH top and bottom of the bed.
* Lightly tap bed with a piece of hose or a push broom to remove excess paint from weave.
* Quantity of paint needed -- 4 liter container should be sufficient for two coatings.

Trampoline String Beds are very expensive -- it only makes sense to upkeep and protect your investment. HAPPY JUMPING!!

Friday, May 1, 2009

The Answer? Ray Rude -- Inventor of the Duraflex Diving Board


The man you see pictured on the Harley Motorcycle below (taken in 1936) is the same man you see pictured above -- Ray Rude -- the inventor of the Duraflex Diving Board.

Ray dropped out of school in the 8th grade and went on to become an airplane tool manufacturer for Lockheed Martin. A neighbor was having a pool party one day and his wooden diving board broke. He stopped by Ray's shop to see if he had anything they could use. Ray had an old airplane wing panel laying around. They mounted it to the pool and as they say -- the rest is history!!