Adrenaline? Yes Please!

In the off season we all find activities to hold us over until the snow season begins in the Northern hemisphere. Mine just so happens to be thrill seeking. I admit it: My name is Sara and I’m an adrenaline junkie. Recently I ventured to the land down under, New Zealand specifically, and experienced some incredible rushes. For those who haven’t tried it, or haven’t dared to think about it, I highly recommend opening your eyes to bungy jumping.

It’s always been a dream of mine to go bungy jumping. For the rush, for the anticipation, for the experience. New Zealand is a mecca for bungy jumpin with its multiple bungy sites including the seventh highest bungy: the Nevis in Queenstown, South Island. Due to my schedule I was only able to jump on the North Island so I took the leap both in Taupo and in Auckland. The Taupo bungy is 47 meters high (about 155 feet) hanging over a river. Anticipation swelled up inside as they harnessed my ankles together up on the platform. It took a couple of seconds to shake the jitters before jumping. There’s always the cliche advice to “Not look down” yet I couldn’t help myself and kept glancing down at the river below. Knowing that I would soon be falling toward the water below really sent my nerves into overdrive. Finally I reached the point where I told the crew member to, “Just push me,” as I stood with my arms spread out and my toes hanging off the edge of the deck. Just requesting this out loud helped me commit and soon I was swan diving through the air. Bungy is a different feeling than sky diving, for you can see the ground and it’s over so quickly. more of a thrill try doing a bungy jump backward where a crew member essentially has to hold your bungy as you lean out backwards and then drop you.

If you ever get the chance, bungy is one fun activity you should definitely jump into.

Most US bungy operators have closed, but don’t fret! bungy is available in Canada. If you’re seeking the highest you will find it at Macau at a whopping 233 meters. The second highest is at Locarno in Switzerland at a height of 220 meters.Coming in at number three is a bungy site in South Africa with 216 meters.


Posted by Sara on 11.25.08