By Pam Teel
Nastia and her mother Natalia Kerpenkova coach and manage the Garden State Trampoline Academy located at the Black Bear Lake Day Camp in Millstone Township, NJ.
Natalia was born and raised in a small town in Gomel, Belarus. (The Gomel region of Belarus borders Russia in the east and the Ukraine in the south.) Natalia started training as a gymnast at the age seven but soon realized that she loved being on the trampoline more, so when she turned nine she joined the trampoline team. Natalia loved this sport and excelled in it quickly. She started competing at all the State, Regional and National competitions and placed first in coaches Natalia and Nastia many events. Shortly after, she started traveling the world in competitions, placing first for her home team! She went to many World Cups, European Cups, and World Championships collecting gold medals in her sport. As she got older, she got better and better.
In 2000, she qualified to the Olympics in Sydney, Australia where she came home with a proud 5th place! Shortly after, she was invited to the United States where she started doing what she loves most; coaching other children and making their dreams come true.
Natalia’s entire life was all about trampolines, but a big part of it was teaching her daughter Nastia. Nastia took her first steps on the trampoline and was raised in the sport of gymnastics. As her mother traveled the world, Nastia was taking everything that was offered to her at the gymnastics gym. She did acro, rhythmic gymnastics, regular gymnastics, and of course trampoline and tumbling.
Nastia went to many trampoline competitions for Belarus, and like her mother before her, she claimed many gold medals at States, Regionals, and National competitions.
In 2001, the Karpenkova family called the USA their home and Nastia continued her career in the sport of trampoline and tumbling. She reached the Elite level at the age of 15. It was then that she realized that she loved to teach other children what she learned. After coaching many recreational children, and one on one lessons, Nastia realized it was time to start her own team. In 2012, Nastia and Natalia joined together and started coaching their current athletes.
After six strong years, they now have 30 members, 8 elite gymnasts, Elite Developmental Program members, 10+ National Championships, 50+ regional Championships, and 100+ State Championships. Nastia and Natalia are looking forward to many years of continued success helping young athletes achieve their goals in the sport of gymnastics.
The gym offers 4 in-ground Olympic size trampolines, a double mini trampoline, and floor space. Children of all ages and levels are welcome. The two coaches focus on each individual child and take it at their own pace. They coach year round. The children learn to flip, tumble, and exercise. Nastia and her mom also run many recreational classes, birthday parties, adult and child yoga, adult boot camp and they also offer teen nights and open jump nights. You can check them out on their website under Garden State Trampoline Academy.
With their background, love and devotion to their sport, you can be sure that you are learning from the best!!!!!!