Bungee Jumping extreme sports. The passion of many people. One of the most dangerous and attractive is bungee jumping. Practiced all over the world, this activity is great to do as a group with friends or family, cheering on each other while waiting for their turn to jump!Some bungee sites have a minimum weight limit rather than a minimum age, so it is a sport that can be tried by a range of ages, with no maximum age limit. Some bungee sites however have a minimum age, the average being around 14, but this depends on each individual bungee.
What is bungee Jumping?
A bungee is a long rubber rope that can be stretched and compressed. With its help, the jumper falls freely from a height and hangs on a cable for a while. Such an attraction gives fans of extreme sports the feeling of diving into the abyss and free gliding in the air, like a bird.
History of Bungee Jumping
According to a legend surrounding Pentecost Island in the South Pacific, bungee jumping originated there. The legend says that a woman, fleeing from her abusive husband, climbed a tree to hide, and her husband followed her. Just as her husband tried to grab her, she tied vines around her ankles and jumped. Her husband jumped at the same time but hit the ground and died, so the woman was saved by the vines.
A man from the south of the island of Pentecost goes bungee jumping using vines
Since this legend was born, the men of the island have practiced jumping from trees with vines tied around their ankles. This “land diving” or Naghol, as it is known on the island, has become a tradition on the island of Pentecost. It is practiced every year on Saturdays between April and June.
Modern history:
In April 1979, the ‘April Fool’, the Oxford Dangerous Sport Club tried to jump off Bristol’s Clifton Bridge in England. Illegally and moderately unprepared, some members of this club attached themselves to bungee ropes and jumped – something they then did again at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA. the next year.
This, along with other leaps, pushed the sport into the mainstream. In 1989, the now famous New Zealander AJ Hackett opened the world’s first commercial bungee jumping location in Queenstown, New Zealand.
What equipment is used in bungee jumping?
The amount of equipment required for this sport is minimal, the participant only needs to wear suitable footwear.
The bungee site will provide the specially designed braided bump rope you will be attached to, the leg and body harness you will wear, attached to the bungee rope, and a helmet may be required in some destinations.
Don’t be skeptical of the location if you don’t see a harness, as some bungee Jumping sites simply connect jumpers to the bungee cable through the ankles, while others use a harness. You can rest easy knowing that both pieces of equipment keep you safe:
Bungee Cord: A specially designed rope made from tightly woven rubber threads. With different strengths and thicknesses available, different bungee sites opt for slightly different strings. This rope will have a recoil when it reaches a certain point before reaching the ground.
Harnesses: Harnesses are worn around the thighs, waist, chest, and shoulders, with the bungee cord connected in front of both of these harness pieces.
How do you prepare for bungee jumping?
Pre-activity:
Arrive at the bungee Jumping site at least an hour before your slot, this will give you time to take in the surroundings, people watch before jumping, and get to know the instructors and have a safety briefing.
Before the jump, you will be weighed so that the operators prepare the particular rope you will use. Once you have secured your harnesses and rope and checked that everything is safe, you are ready to jump!
During the activity:
Relax, extend your arms, bend your knees and jump into the void. Enjoy the feel of the free fall, it will only last a couple of seconds, and then the rope will be fully taut and the elastic will rewind and bring you back up slightly and you will swing momentarily at the end of the rope until you are or dropped down in a airbags, a platform or even a boat sometimes (depending on the location) or lift up again to the point you jumped from.
Post-activity:
After detaching the harness from the rope and then removing it, you can relax and rethink the incredible bungee jumping experience you just had!
Who can do bungee jumping?
Bungee jumping is an inclusive and accessible sport that can be experienced by people with reduced mobility, amputees or visitors with partial paralysis. If you are unsure whether you or one of your group can participate in bungee jumping, it is highly recommended that you first speak with the staff of the bungee site you intend to visit.
Minimum and maximum weights:
The rules vary for the different bungee, but the general minimum weight for bungee jumping is 35 / 40kg. The maximum weight varies once again from site to site, but is generally around 145 / 150kg.
Pregnant women:
Bungee jumping is unfortunately not recommended for pregnant women.
Health Requirements:
In general the participant must be in good health, if you have epilepsy, joint problems or heart disease you cannot participate. It’s worth checking with the bungee Jumping site you plan to visit before booking to see their individual health requirements policy if you’re unsure.
Highest Commercial Bungee Jump
The highest commercial bungee jumping in the world is organized at an altitude of 216 m: on the Bluecrans Bridge, which passes over the river of the same name in South Africa. This place is known for the fact that some people have set world records here in this kind of extreme sport.
No accidents have been recorded on the bridge since the organization first began operations in 1997. Based on such an excellent track record, travelers are free to jump as much as they like, so the organizers are responsible for the issue of safety.
Highest bungee jump on Bluecrans Bridge exciting and unforgettable. In addition to the adrenaline rush, the jump is a real achievement, because few can gain fortitude and jump from such an impressive height. The views from the ski jump even give the opportunity to take some beautiful pictures.
The most beautiful places in the world for bungee jumping
Macau Tower, China
A favorite place for all bungee jumpers. Macau Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Its height is 238 meters. Almost at the very top there is an observation deck and on it a bridge for jumping. This location attracts thrill-seekers from all over the world!
Bridge over Victoria Falls, Zambia
The height of this object is almost half the size of the Chinese attraction (152 meters). But the bridge conquers with the beauty of the wild nature located around. Water falls into the gorge from a height, seethes and makes noise … Many jumpers lost control and thought that they would not be able to complete the flight safely. But everything worked out. And jumping from the Victoria Falls was another unforgettable experience!
Navajo Bridge, Marble Canyon, USA
We recommend visiting this place in early autumn. In September, the canyon plays with special colors, and the Colorado River is swift and fast. The height of the structure is small – 142 meters, but the local landscapes are certainly worthy of your attention!
Suspension bridge Royal Gorge, USA
Absolute record holder! Its height is 321 meters, and the stormy Colorado River runs below. Many extreme people prepared for a long time to jump from this bridge and overcame fear. But it is impossible to resist the beauty of the Grand Canyon and your own passion. An interesting fact: despite the monstrous height on the bridge, there was not a single accident associated with bungee jumping.
At what age can I bungee jumping?
Officially: from the moment of majority, 18 years. But jumping in the presence of parents or guardians is permissible from the age of 10.
Bungee Jumping Contraindications:
- Hypertension and heart
disease 2. Epilepsy - Pregnancy
- Weight limit: people under 35kg and weighing more than 100kg are not allowed to jump!
By the way, even people with disabilities can realize their dream and jump from a height. Of course, after a preliminary consultation with a doctor.
Bungee Jumping a sport that has conquered many. The feeling of complete freedom, unity with nature and immensity is off the scale here. At the time of the jump, there is a reassessment of life values, and problems recede into the background.
