SENDING my nine-year old son 30ft up a ladder to perform a trapeze stunt after just ten minutes of training was either going to make or break my parenting custody access.
Thankfully, the Gorilla Circus trapeze experience might be the coolest thing I’ve ever done with my boy.
Off to a flying start with a trapeze lesson[/caption]
Within 20 minutes we were racing up the ladder to undertake the most terrifying and exhilarating of challenges[/caption]
It took place at the beautiful Kensington Gardens in West London, where we could park for free right outside on a Sunday.
On the way there I gave Wally III a long speech about how there would probably be a 30-minute health and safety video, half an hour of training and a couple of rope swings.
But I was utterly wrong on all counts.
The team gave us a crisp and concise run-through of the protocols, then we did a brief warm-up and hopped on a mat to learn the basics.
Within 20 minutes we were racing up the ladder to undertake the most terrifying and exhilarating of challenges.
Obviously there were strict safety procedures in place, but in an infuriating age of mollycoddling and regulations, it was magnificent to see young children being clipped into a harness, nudged up a ladder and expertly guided through any fears or phobias.
However, my total lack of agility and finesse meant I couldn’t do the most basic of moves until my second or third attempt.
This even extended to the dismount, which is a glorified roly-poly.
But my lad and the two girls around his age were simply magnificent.
It was a perfect reminder that our children are blank canvases ready to try almost anything, and often it us who project our fears and failings on to them.
My boy has always been a daredevil but I thought this might finally bring about an overdue wobble.
But the team of Emma, Vini and Gio treated him like a little adult and he behaved like one.
In a brilliant two-hour session – with eight customers getting around ten swings each – he progressed each time until the ultimate final catch by one of the instructors on his very final swing.
When I saw his face after genuinely flying through the air to be caught mid-flight by a total stranger, I was floored.
And I could tell when he somersaulted off the safety net that he had just climbed his own Everest.
Before his session had even finished, he begged me to rebook and to remind the staff that he had achieved the knee-hang catch in his first session and could take on tougher challenges when we return.
In all, I thought it was magnificent value for money, especially compared to a trip to the cinema or bowling alley these days.
We went on a scorching mid-August weekend but we had rescheduled twice – no fuss and no fee – when rain had stopped play.
Little Wal said: “The ladder was the scariest bit but once I was up there I was calm. The teachers were good and the lady on the ground who gave the instructions made it easy.
“I was angry I didn’t do the catch on my first go, but they explained I had to be brave and release my legs earlier.
“Then I just knew I was going to do it. And I did.
“And I want to go again. Dad promised me”.
GO: GORILLA CIRCUS
Gorilla Circus Trapeze School has two London venues, open until September 28 in Regent’s Park and September 14 in Kensington Gardens.
Open to those aged eight to 78.
Prices from £40.99.
For details and to book, see flyingtrapezeschool.gorillacircus.com.