Tatami
The Trocellen mats, green one side, red the other.As of July 2005 we have a brand new tatami measuring 8mx5m built of 40 Trocellen® 1m2 interlocking mats. This tatami is sufficient for normal club use but, for courses or larger classes, we have access to an additional 40 mats in to double the size of the tatami.
For the chemists and technically minded, the Trocellen® mats are made of a cross-linked polyethylene foam made from polyolefin resins which gives a lightweight mat making the tatami quick and easy to lay and take up at the start and end of class.
The mats significantly reduce the risk of accidents or injuries thanks to their elasticity and shock absorption capabilities.
A detail showing the links in the edges of the mats.These mats interlock securely leaving no gaps to catch toes and the security of the interlocking means that these mats will not drift apart during training. They are anti-slip thanks to the special tatami (rice grain) pattern embossed surface and can easily be wiped clean as they are impermeable to water.
We do not have a permanently matted dojo and therefore the mats must be laid at the start of class and taken up again at the end of the class. Although we rent our slot for the full 2 hours it is a badminton court and is in use up to 7:00 and is required by others as of 9:00 so the mats must be laid and removed promptly. The mats are stored in the Hall and, with sufficient helpers and organisation, laying out and taking up the tatami can be done quite quickly and easily.
