Part 2 - "Trampolines, Gymnastics and Pyramids"

1976 had been a very busy year for the Nissen Corporation: including several trips at the beginning of the year to Saudi Arabia and Southeast Asia to promote Nissen products. Then came the World Trampoline Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma along with the World Age Group Games in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Finally at the end of the year, Nissen provided the equipment and employees to tour with the Russian Gymnastics team throughout the U.S.A., not to mention providing some equipment for the Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada.

Now with the onset of the Egyptian tour, 1977 was shaping up to be an equally exciting year.  The first order of business was receiving the official sanction for the trip from the United States Gymnastics Federation, United States Trampoline & Tumbling Association and the United States Sports Acrobatics Federation. All organizations happily provided their sanctions.

A selection was made to have a combination of 10 gymnasts and trampolinists, along with a supporting party as follows:

Leigh Hennessey – Trampoline

Dian Nissen – Trampoline

Rob Bollinger – Trampoline

Ron Merriott – Trampoline

Ron Munn –Trampoline

George Hery - Trampoline

Amy MacHamer – Gymnast

Dana Hopper – Gymnast

Bob Rikii – Gymnast

Breck Grigas – Gymnast

Linda Metheny – Gymnast & Chaperone

Glenn Sundby – Photographer  

George & Annie Nissen – Tour Leaders and Sponsor

Adli & Nina Roushdi – Tour Translators

As expected, everyone selected was very excited and looked forward to their visit to Egypt.

There was of course, some question within the Nissen Corporation regarding the shipment of equipment to Egypt without first receiving a letter of credit or some other form of pre-payment. Even so, arrangements went ahead for a complete set of gymnastics equipment and trampolines with delivery in Cairo scheduled for late March or early April, just in time for the tour, April 11-21.

Annie Nissen did a wonderful job in selecting the women’s dress uniforms for formal occasions while George and I chose the men’s suits.  A sharp group we were!

Leaving from Chicago and flying through London, we arrived in Cairo where we were graciously met at the airport by our Egyptian hosts, and escorted to the beautiful Le Meridien Hotel located directly on the Nile River. 

 Certainly a wonderful start to our adventure but, little did we know that we were in for a BIG surprise. While we were checking in at the hotel, the Egyptian delegation pulled George and me aside and told us….

THAT DUE TO A TREMENDOUS BACKUP AT THE PORT OF ALEXANDRIA...ALL OUR EQUIPMENT WAS STILL ON-BOARD A SHIP
THAT WAS ANCHORED OUT TO SEA OFF THE COAST!

UNDER THESE  CIRCUMSTANCES IT WAS TIME TO MAKE NEW ARRANGEMENTS... AND THE NEXT DAY, WITH THE HELP OF THE EGYPTIAN FEDERATION WE BEGAN LOCATING EQUIPMENT THAT OUR GYMNASTS AND TRAMPOLINISTS COULD USE UNTIL THE NISSEN EQUIPMENT WAS OFF-LOADED AND DELIVERED TO CAIRO!

The gymnastic equipment which we obtained for the exhibitions was of European origin and even though somewhat old, it was deemed satisfactory.  Two Nissen trampolines were located, and the one with a 1” web bed was quickly selected by the trampoline performers. 

The exhibitions which included the Egyptian gymnasts began on the third day, and received tremendous news coverage throughout Cairo. Friendships between the gymnasts developed quickly and fun times were had by all.

 EVERY DAY GEORGE AND I, ALONG WITH THE FEDERATION OFFICIALS CONTINUED TO TRY TO GET THE NISSEN EQUIPMENT OFF LOADED AT THE ALEXANDRIA PORT, BUT TO NO AVAIL….

WE WERE TOLD THE SHIP HAD TO WAIT IT’S TURN WHICH WAS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER A MONTHS TIME! 

NOT GOOD NEWS!

Even so, the group stayed positive and the demonstrations continued on with a great trampoline halftime show at the National football/soccer stadium.  Since is was a match between the two best teams in Egypt, close to 100,000 spectators were in the stands. The game ended in a tie. The trampoline exhibition was a tremendous hit and even received more coverage in the press than the football match.

Ron Merriott



The Girls were a Big Hit with the Crowd

After numerous demonstrations and clinics the group was ready for some fun and sightseeing. Our hosts took the entire group to the one place we had all been waiting for….the pyramids!  For additional fun we brought a trampoline along so that our photographer, Glenn Sundby could get some really outstanding photos. Most of the day was spent exploring the area, as well as climbing some of the smaller pyramids and just having a fun time….especially with the trampoline!

Watch: Trampolining at the Egyptian Pyramids

Being at the pyramids George’s mind reflected back to our previous trip and the idea of putting a trampoline on top of the Great Pyramid of Khufu.

During the confusion of the delayed equipment and ongoing demonstrations, George managed to make arrangements for a helicopter. With the help of Adli and Lt General Gadawi, George met with an Egyptian gentleman who had a helicopter and agreed to the idea of lifting the trampoline to the top of the pyramid the day before we were scheduled to leave Cairo.

That same day while we were at the pyramids, we crossed paths with Sam “Scooby Dooby” who was not only excited to see us, but was more than willing to help in any way he could after hearing our grand plans involving a helicopter.  George, George Hery and I climbed to the top of the pyramid to check out the pole and its supports. We concluded that on the day of the big event George Hery and I would be stationed on top in order to lower the pole as the helicopter took off from the ground with the trampoline.  The folded trampoline would be hanging in a net beneath the helicopter allowing it to be lowered to the top of the pyramid once George and I had the pole down……. It all seemed like a good idea and everyone agreed that it would probably work!

Jump to Part B: of "Trampolines, Gymnastics & Pyramids"