Frequently Asked Questions
TSNY Washington DC is a school of flying trapeze and aerial arts. We build our program around these remarkable and challenging activities because they expand our abilities while never losing touch with the thrill of being alive.
Flying Trapeze, aerial arts, and trampoline enhance your ability to move gracefully and powerfully through the air. Working on your 'air awareness' means challenging your body to feel comfortable whether you are sitting, walking, running, flipping, falling, or sailing through space. Activities that promote this awareness include flying trapeze, trampoline, static trapeze, Spanish web, silks, acrobatics, and many others.
We have a huge selection of sessions to choose from. Plus we enjoy hosting parties, athletic teams, corporate events, family gatherings, dating groups, tourist groups, boys' and girls' clubs, community groups, school groups: anyone with a taste for adventure.
We have a year-round location in Washington, D.C. We are located near the Navy Yard just off Tingey St, near 4th Street SE. Our Directions page will tell you how to get here.
When you are traveling, visit us at one of our other locations.
When you are traveling, visit us at one of our other locations.
Who can participate in sessions?
Our sessions are designed to meet the needs of a wide range of people. Whether you are athletic or not, afraid or not, ready or not, we are committed to creating a fun and safe environment.
- Ages 6 and up are welcome.
Students with certain health conditions, or existing or previous injuries may be discouraged from or denied participation if management feels the risk of injury is too great.
Women who are pregnant should not participate in any of our physical activities, including flying trapeze, aerials, acrobatics, and trampoline.
Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to participate. Our Staff is empowered to deny access to our facility for anyone who they believe may be a danger to themselves or others. Additionally, if a person is rude or uncooperative they may be denied entrance or asked to leave.
During the COVID pandemic, the following will not be allowed to participate, someone has traveled to a restricted state in the past two weeks, has a temperature higher than 100.3°F, has COVID symptoms (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), or has been in contact with some known to have COVID in the past 14 days.
Once a spot is reserved, you are responsible for the full payment even if the participant is unwilling to complete part or all of the session.
- Ages 6 and up are welcome.
Students with certain health conditions, or existing or previous injuries may be discouraged from or denied participation if management feels the risk of injury is too great.
Women who are pregnant should not participate in any of our physical activities, including flying trapeze, aerials, acrobatics, and trampoline.
Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to participate. Our Staff is empowered to deny access to our facility for anyone who they believe may be a danger to themselves or others. Additionally, if a person is rude or uncooperative they may be denied entrance or asked to leave.
During the COVID pandemic, the following will not be allowed to participate, someone has traveled to a restricted state in the past two weeks, has a temperature higher than 100.3°F, has COVID symptoms (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), or has been in contact with some known to have COVID in the past 14 days.
Once a spot is reserved, you are responsible for the full payment even if the participant is unwilling to complete part or all of the session.
Is there a Weight Limit for Flying Trapeze?
Actually it is more complicated than that, so be sure to examine all three factors: WEIGHT, BODY SHAPE and GRIP. We are committed to working with people of all abilities, shapes and sizes to experience the transformative power of flying trapeze and aerial arts. If flying trapeze isn't the right place for you to start, our staff will be happy to suggest other options to help you achieve your goals.
Please contact us if you have concerns. We would love to work with you to identify other sessions such as conditioning, acrobatics, silks or trampoline that can serve as a starting point towards the goal of flying trapeze. If we feel it would be unsafe for either you or our instructors due to your weight, body shape or physical fitness considerations, TSNY reserves the right to deny participation.
Safety is Trapeze School New York's number one priority.
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1. WEIGHT. 205lbs is what we call the weight hesitation. If you weigh more than that, then we have increasing concerns about safety. The higher above the 205 lb weight hesitation, the more important the other factors become. |
| 2. BODY SHAPE. The distribution of your weight is important, regardless of how much you weigh. If you are heavy around your middle, and your waist is wider than your chest, then our safety belt might ride up and cannot effectively protect you. | |
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3. GRIP. Another consideration is whether your hands can support your full body weight. If you cannot hang from a bar with your feet completely off the ground for at least 30 seconds, then you should not participate at this time. |
Please contact us if you have concerns. We would love to work with you to identify other sessions such as conditioning, acrobatics, silks or trampoline that can serve as a starting point towards the goal of flying trapeze. If we feel it would be unsafe for either you or our instructors due to your weight, body shape or physical fitness considerations, TSNY reserves the right to deny participation.
Safety is Trapeze School New York's number one priority.
How old do I have to be to participate?
There is no specific minimum age to participate. Children who are at least 6 years old generally have the required coordination and awareness, but may not have the attention span to last through a 2-hour session.
Please give us a call if you are unsure about signing up a child for a session. Once a spot is reserved, you are responsible for the full payment even if the child is unwilling or unable to complete the session.
A parent or guardian must be present when their children under age 12 are in a session, unless they are enrolled in a camp program or special arrangements have been made with the school. All of the child's information must be up-to-date, and we must have a waiver signed by a parent or court-appointed legal guardian for any student under the age of 18. Relatives, friends and nannies cannot sign the waiver unless they have been designated by a court as the legal guardian for that child.
While children are always able to sign up for any all-levels sessions offered at our school, we also have specialized programs for youth 6 and up or as specified in the program description.
Please give us a call if you are unsure about signing up a child for a session. Once a spot is reserved, you are responsible for the full payment even if the child is unwilling or unable to complete the session.
A parent or guardian must be present when their children under age 12 are in a session, unless they are enrolled in a camp program or special arrangements have been made with the school. All of the child's information must be up-to-date, and we must have a waiver signed by a parent or court-appointed legal guardian for any student under the age of 18. Relatives, friends and nannies cannot sign the waiver unless they have been designated by a court as the legal guardian for that child.
While children are always able to sign up for any all-levels sessions offered at our school, we also have specialized programs for youth 6 and up or as specified in the program description.
We make your safety our number one priority. We use state-of–the-art equipment and procedures to assure the safety of our students from the time they walk on the site. Students are continually trained on the protection of their health as well as the health of their fellow students.
All our equipment is designed to be well above the required safety standards and is kept in excellent shape by constant inspecting and maintenance. We use a fully rated spotting system and safe comfortable belts to protect you when you fly. Our soft, stretchy net assures a nice landing.
Our home city of New York sets the highest in safety standards. Trapeze School New York has not only met, but in all cases exceeded the expectations put forth by the city. Our equipment has been engineered and approved by one of New York's most prestigious engineering firms (FTL Engineering).
Keep in mind that scrapes, sore muscles, and blisters are a part of any sport and are no less a part of ours. We work closely with local care services to ensure efficient action should a serious emergency arise.
During the COVID pandemic, we have addtional safety protocols which can be found here https://washingtondc.trapezeschool.com/about/COVID-19_Safety_Procedures.
Please help us by taking the time to fully complete the registration and to let us know if you have any special conditions that may affect your safe participation in our program.
All our equipment is designed to be well above the required safety standards and is kept in excellent shape by constant inspecting and maintenance. We use a fully rated spotting system and safe comfortable belts to protect you when you fly. Our soft, stretchy net assures a nice landing.
Our home city of New York sets the highest in safety standards. Trapeze School New York has not only met, but in all cases exceeded the expectations put forth by the city. Our equipment has been engineered and approved by one of New York's most prestigious engineering firms (FTL Engineering).
Keep in mind that scrapes, sore muscles, and blisters are a part of any sport and are no less a part of ours. We work closely with local care services to ensure efficient action should a serious emergency arise.
During the COVID pandemic, we have addtional safety protocols which can be found here https://washingtondc.trapezeschool.com/about/COVID-19_Safety_Procedures.
Please help us by taking the time to fully complete the registration and to let us know if you have any special conditions that may affect your safe participation in our program.
How do I sign up for a session?
Use the 'Sign Up for a session' button at the top of the page to choose your session and register. Find the session date and time, fill out the registration form (or double-check your information if you are a returning student), select your payment method, and click 'Register'. Verify you are signed up by checking for your confirmation e-mail. If you paid for a session but did not receive a confirmation email, please check your spam folder. Confirmation emails sent to AOL email addresses are sometimes sent to spam.
How many students do you have in a session?
Session size is dependent on apparatus, session length, and level. Our standard flying trapeze session is 2 hours with a limit of ten students per session. Express sessions are offered with fewer students and shorter time frame. Introductory sessions may be offered with greater session size. Private groups may request that more people participate, but must understand that unless they wish to purchase extended session time, their group members will have proportionally less turns at flying with each additional student they bring.
During the COVID pandemic, flying trapeze sessions have been reduced from 10 to 7 students and run 90 minutes.
During the COVID pandemic, flying trapeze sessions have been reduced from 10 to 7 students and run 90 minutes.
Which sessions are appropriate for beginners?
Beginners are welcome to join any session with either NO level distinction, "All Levels", or "Introductory" in the session title. The nature of flying trapeze and aerial arts allows for one student to be on the equipment at a time, so it is not necessary for everyone in session to be working on the same skill. Sessions start with a safety lesson for all first time students, and shortly after that you can expect to be on the apparatus. We strive to create a session environment that is effective and fun for everyone. Yes, beginners will fly on the trapeze in their first session!
"All Level" Flying Trapeze sessions are conducive for participants with skills ranging from beginner through advanced. "Introductory" Flying Trapeze sessions have up to 12 students and are great for first time flyers, and students that do not come on a regular basis or are just starting their flying journey. Sessions with "Level 2" or greater in the title are reserved for students who have achieved the corresponding skills in their TSNY logbook. Sometimes, there are not enough students to fill a session. Rather than cancel a session we might choose to open it to all levels.
"All Level" Flying Trapeze sessions are conducive for participants with skills ranging from beginner through advanced. "Introductory" Flying Trapeze sessions have up to 12 students and are great for first time flyers, and students that do not come on a regular basis or are just starting their flying journey. Sessions with "Level 2" or greater in the title are reserved for students who have achieved the corresponding skills in their TSNY logbook. Sometimes, there are not enough students to fill a session. Rather than cancel a session we might choose to open it to all levels.
The TSNY Logbook is a guide to our curriculum, and a place for you to track your progress as you advance as a flyer. The overall goal of the TSNY Flying Trapeze Curriculum is to teach you to become a safe and competent flyer. Our aim is to build a strong foundation of skills in the early stages of your journey. This will set you up for success with the tricks and skills you'll learn down the road. The information in the logbook is not meant to replace actual instruction, it is purposefully general as your instructors will tailor a progression that works best for you, as an individual.
Register for your online logbook.
Register for your online logbook.
What should I wear to flying trapeze session?
Although the net is soft to land in, it can be a little rough on exposed knees, shoulders, and toes. You'll be wearing a safety belt over your shirt and you'll be hooking your knees over the bar, so it's best to wear clothes that fit snugly so they don't get in your way. Tights, yoga pants, or snug sweat pants work well, and shirts with sleeves (even very short ones) are a good idea. Bring a pair of socks to wear while you're flying, and sandals or flip flops to wear between turns. On hot days, you should also bring a towel. If you have long hair, put it up with an elastic band (not plastic hair clips).
During the COVID pandemic, the wearing of face coverings is mandatory.
During the COVID pandemic, the wearing of face coverings is mandatory.
What is a waiver and why do I have to sign it?
The waiver is a document designed to protect you and the school. It is designed to inform you of the risk you are taking and to make sure that you (or your parent or court-appointed legal guardian) take full responsibility for that risk. The waiver also allows our insurance to be effective for any situation that warrants its use. It is important to read the waiver carefully and to fully understand it before you sign.
You (or your parent or court-appointed legal guardian) will be asked to read and sign a waiver at your first session. Please come 15 minutes early to do this. Copies of the waiver will be available at the start of the session, but you may view it or print extra copies beforehand using the link below.
The minimum recommended age for participation in all of our sessions is 6 years old.
STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 must have a waiver signed by their parent or court-appointed legal guardian before they will be allowed to participate in the session. Relatives, friends, and nannies cannot sign unless they have been designated by a court as the legal guardian for that child. If you have any questions please give us a call. GROUPS: If you are signing up a group of children, bring signed waivers for each child with you to the session.
Signing the waiver is separate from registering for a session, and does not mean you are enrolled. You are registered for a session once you have paid and received your confirmation email.
During the COVID pandemic, there is an additional COVID waiver.
Sign Waivers Online
You (or your parent or court-appointed legal guardian) will be asked to read and sign a waiver at your first session. Please come 15 minutes early to do this. Copies of the waiver will be available at the start of the session, but you may view it or print extra copies beforehand using the link below.
The minimum recommended age for participation in all of our sessions is 6 years old.
STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 must have a waiver signed by their parent or court-appointed legal guardian before they will be allowed to participate in the session. Relatives, friends, and nannies cannot sign unless they have been designated by a court as the legal guardian for that child. If you have any questions please give us a call. GROUPS: If you are signing up a group of children, bring signed waivers for each child with you to the session.
Signing the waiver is separate from registering for a session, and does not mean you are enrolled. You are registered for a session once you have paid and received your confirmation email.
During the COVID pandemic, there is an additional COVID waiver.
Sign Waivers Online
How does the cancellation policy work?
Our sessions, programs, events, etc. have specific policies regarding cancellation. Please see our Cancellation Policy page for details.
How do I reschedule my upcoming session?
Assuming that we've received your cancellation notice within the timeframe specified in our Cancellation Policy, then most reservations can be rescheduled. To reschedule, send an email to our office with the following information:
- Name on the reservation;
- Date and time of original reservation that you are cancelling;
- Date and time of the session you would like to reschedule to.
If there is a price differential, then there will either be a credit or additional charge.
Most of our group drop in sessions require a minimum of 3 days (72 hours) notice for cancellation and rescheduling in which case you must notify us of your desire to reschedule prior to 3 days (72 hours) before your original reservation. Please note, we cannot keep an open credit from a credit card charge on your account so you MUST provide a date in order to reschedule your original reservation.
- Name on the reservation;
- Date and time of original reservation that you are cancelling;
- Date and time of the session you would like to reschedule to.
If there is a price differential, then there will either be a credit or additional charge.
Most of our group drop in sessions require a minimum of 3 days (72 hours) notice for cancellation and rescheduling in which case you must notify us of your desire to reschedule prior to 3 days (72 hours) before your original reservation. Please note, we cannot keep an open credit from a credit card charge on your account so you MUST provide a date in order to reschedule your original reservation.
Why do I have to fill out a registration form on your site?
We want to know as much as we can about you, so that we can help you learn and keep you safe. When you come to the school, we keep a copy of your form on site.
This way you know that we know about any special needs you might have, how to reach you, and how to reach others who can be there if you need them. If you are a returning student, you will have a chance to review and update your information as needed each time you register for a session.
It is very important that you keep us up-to-date about your health and contact information. Please remember to let us know when something changes. Each time you sign up for a session, you will be able to review your information and submit any changes.
This way you know that we know about any special needs you might have, how to reach you, and how to reach others who can be there if you need them. If you are a returning student, you will have a chance to review and update your information as needed each time you register for a session.
It is very important that you keep us up-to-date about your health and contact information. Please remember to let us know when something changes. Each time you sign up for a session, you will be able to review your information and submit any changes.
Can I get a discount if I buy multiple sessions?
Yes! TSNY Washington DC session card packages provide a way for students to receive discounts on session prices. Click here for more information and to buy a card.
A single session card may be shared and used to pay for up to 2 others, for a maximum of 3 people in the same session. Session cards may not be used by a group booking an entire session.
A single session card may be shared and used to pay for up to 2 others, for a maximum of 3 people in the same session. Session cards may not be used by a group booking an entire session.
How many people do we need to book a private session and what does it cost?
You can book a regularly scheduled session with as many or as few people as you wish. You will be required to cover at minimum the cost of a full session for up to 10 people. If your group has more than 10 people and you book a regularly scheduled two-hour session, please be aware that the more people you have, the less flying per person is possible. Click here for information about our Parties and Events.
Yes! The TSNY newsletter is a great way to stay up to date with all the latest school happenings and announcements! If you have a registered student profile and would like to adjust your newsletter settings (not receiving the newsletter or not receiving the correct locations' newsletter), email the office at dcinfo@trapezeschool.com.
If you are a new student click here to sign up for the newsletter.
If you are a new student click here to sign up for the newsletter.
If you have any other FAQ suggestions please send them to dcinfo@trapezeschool.com.