So You Wanna Go Bungee Jumping? Tips Before Taking the Plunge

I have bungy jumped 17 times.

The best by far was Nevis High Wire located in Queenstown, New Zealand. Clocking in at a whopping 134 Meters, this thing is high. I loved every second of that jump. When I got to the top, I just wanted to jump again. It was a blast. However, that was only my second jump. So the thrill factor was still high.

My first bungy jump was in Cairns in 2000. It was just a baby one at 50 meters (164 feet). I still remember very clearly how scary it was, and how scared I was. Just looking down from that tiny platform into the dark water below, and thinking to myself "This is stupid! This is so stupid!" After a few moments I I finally managed to build up enough nerve, and confidence to take the plunge. It was frightening, exhilarating, crazy and I loved every moment of it.

In saying that though, I never thought I would say to myself that I was bored with bungy jumping.

Not so long ago I was hired to work at a bungy tower. I was JC (jump coordinator), and training for jumpmaster. I learned the ins, and outs of the job. One of the quirks for working there was obviously, free jumps. I, naturally, took advantage.

Well, after around jump 4 or 5, I soon began to realize that the novelty, pleasure, and fun of bungy jumping was quickly wearing off. Backwards, forwards, whatever, it was all the same. You can do other "more experienced" jumps such as 'Fruit Bat', 'Elevator', what have you, but it was all the same in the end. The only thing really different about these jumps is the direction you are facing, where your arms, or hands maybe. Thats it. Pretty boring.

I always heard which is scarier. Your first tandem skydive, or your first bungy jump. Speaking from my experience I remember being very scared on my first tandem skydive, but it was much like a ride. I remember being a lot more scared on my first bungy jump compared to my first tandem skydive. However, I think if I wasn't doing a tandem skydive, and was doing an AFF 1 jump (which is a solo jump, with an instructor on each side of you keeping you stable during the freefall), I think that the AFF 1 skydive would be scarier then a first bungy jump. At the time of this writing I am currently an AFF student with 10 jumps.

The problem with bungy jumping lies with the fact that is just simply too limited, and way too short. Your attached to a huge rubber band! Some people do somersaults. Some can even do somersaults on the rebound back up! Which is all fine, and dandy, but even then, whats after that? Not much. Too limited.

You can do 'Sandbagging' as well. This is where the jumper holds on to a weight, lets say 20 kilos (44 pounds). When the get to the bottom of their jump, just before they rebound up, the jumper then releases the weight giving them somewhat of a slingshot effect, and an even bigger rebound back up. I never did this as I feel it adds a realistic, and unnecessary element of danger to the jump. People who have done this actually rebounded back into the platform from which they jumped from. Not a fun ride in my opinion. The risk versus the reward in this type of jump just isn't worth it.

There is no skill (aside from somersaults for the more advanced jumpers), and no real element of danger involved with bungy jumping. Which pretty much makes it an amusement ride. Although, the flip side to that coin that unlike theme park rides, you're the one pushing the button. You're the one throwing yourself off of the edge. This is where bungy jumping differs immensely from roller coasters, and other rides. Your in control.

Even though the novelty of bungy jumping has worn off for me. I will still continue to jump, but only at places I might encounter while traveling, or on vacation. Its a bit overpriced for what it is, but its worth it for people who haven't jumped before or with few jumps under there belt. I would definitely jump Nevis again, and look forward to someday in the future.

I really want to take a trip to the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland. Home of the infamous Golden Eye jump. This monster weighs in a humongous 220 meters, or 722 feet! Talk about a drop!

So if your thinking about bungy jumping, go for it! You won't regret it. I have never seen anybody not smiling, and enjoying themselves after their jump. You'll be buzzing for a very long time.

Go for it! Make the leap of faith. Have fun, and enjoy life to the fullest.