While most people in their nineties would do anything to avoid a fall, Peter Quinney has taken quite the opposite approach.
The 91-year-old from Melksham, Wiltshire, has just claimed two gold medals at a trampolining competition designed for competitors over forty.
It’s a truly remarkable comeback story – Quinney hadn’t stepped onto a competition trampoline for four decades before entering the event hosted by Portsmouth Gymnastics Club on January 25.
The former RAF physical training instructor competed in the non-flipping category, and organisers recognised his extraordinary contribution to the sport with a special award on the day.
Quinney’s trampolining journey began back in 1955, and he went on to become British champion in 1960 while serving on the RAF gymnastics display team.
At the recent competition, he wowed judges with a ten-bounce routine that included a 360 spin and a seat drop, securing gold in both the individual and team categories.
The great-grandfather even tested his skills on his 90th birthday, successfully completing a double back somersault while using a safety rig.
“It was a most enjoyable afternoon,” he said, per The Times. “I think it is very important for people to find something they love doing in their retirement. It is so important that people continue to be fit and do exercise.”
Quinney’s passion for the sport extends far beyond his own achievements – he still dedicates four hours every Saturday to coaching at the Spire Heights Club in Salisbury.
There, he’s helped develop special needs and rebound therapy programmes, working with both children and adults across Wiltshire.
His international impact is equally impressive. While stationed overseas, he brought trampolining to schools in Singapore and even organised a children’s display team for the country’s independence celebrations in 1965, performing for first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
“It’s very easy to slip into just wandering round the garden and watching the television but I like to continue doing what I’ve always done,” he explained.
“I just love doing it and love helping all the children. It’s great to see people overcome their difficulties.”
Looking ahead, Quinney has set himself an ambitious target inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore.
He hopes to mark his 100th birthday by performing 100 backflips, with the aim of raising money for Cancer Research.
“If I could do that and raise some money for Cancer Research then I would be delighted,” he said.
Sue Burt, his fellow coach at Spire Heights Club who has known him for nearly three decades, described the competition day as “amazing” and called Quinney “a remarkable guy”.
“Pete has dedicated his entire life to trampolining,” she said. “The fact that he’s still actively coaching every Saturday at 91 is incredible in itself. But to compete again, perform, and win, after more than 40 years away, is something truly special.”