I need something pretty flexible, I think. The ridgid mount I question. From what I've read in reviews, the spring needs to be fairly tall and firmly connected to the hoses.
Somewhere in my stash of misc. I have a set of springs that was used in one of those signs you use to see for advertising. They had a base and two springs to allow for the wind to move them, I guess. If I can find one of them it would be a good start.
85Hokie, present this problem to your "trouble makers" and see if their creative minds can generate some ideas. Put their energy to good use!