Putting 'Bungee' in the 'jump'

Bungee Jumping

Bungee Jumping can indeed very terrifying. But, it is also very exciting, in a way that makes you want to do the scary process all over again. Some may think that sky diving and bungee jumping are similar, but they aren't. Sky Diving, well...feels like flying, you can't tell if your plummeting toward the surface, but bungee jumping feels like falling.

Free Falling definitely would feel forever before you suddenly pulled back up, though don't worry-it won't hurt, and plunged into another free-fall. It feels incredible!!

My FAVORITE WAYS TO JUMP

When you use the body harness, you'll be sure to have a great time. this most common ways to attach yourself to the cord are by using a body harness or a leg harness. If the only way of connecting yourself to the cord is a body harness. Jumping with just a sit harness is not recommended. As you jump you can do many flips on the way down if the jump master holds the spare cord and releases it when you jump (this is called 'spotting', the jump master being the spotter).

Then there's the leg harness, which comes in different styles. Some let you jump with just one leg harnessed, but most with both. You should always have a backup harness when using leg harnesses, usually just a normal climbing sit harness. This is especially important if you are to be brought back up to the jump point since being brought up upside down is uncomfortable.

The leg harness can really give you the feeling of flying and is the best ground rush there is (especially for water touchdowns). 

Thrown Jumping is exciting! Instead of jumping, why not get a gang of friends to throw you from the bridge! 

My favourite! The Water Touchdown! Many sites are so confident that they can judge how much the cord will stretch that they offer water touchdowns. You jump as normal, but at the bottom you will go into the water. This is best attempted over DEEP water 

The way you jump affects how much the cord will stretch, and whether there is a spotter (someone dropping the cord beside you). If you jump far away from the bridge you will drop less than if you were to jump straight down.

My Best places to Jump

Europabrücke Bridge, Austria – 630 feet (192 m)

Standing 630 feet (192 m) high, and supporting the Brenner Autobahn that links Austria and Italy across the Alps, the Europabrücke Bridge was Europe's highest from 1963 until it was topped out by France's Millau Viaduct in 2004. Make no mistake, though: just standing on the edge of this structure, let alone thinking about jumping from it, would be enough to make many feel sick with giddiness.

Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa – 708 feet (216 m)

The world's highest single span arch bridge, the Bloukrans Bridge towers 708 feet (216 m) above the river of the same name. Primarily a road bridge, the Bloukrans also hosts a beast of a bungee jump – the highest commercially operated on earth for years after it was opened in 1997. With its pendulum system, apparently you get "the smoothest, most comfortable bungy jump possible". Nice to know.

Verzasca Dam, Switzerland – 720 feet (220 m)

Just looking at this picture is enough to give you vertigo. That dam face just keeps going down, down, down – hopefully not to damnation if you're freefalling down its face. The Verzasca hydroelectric dam, completed in 1965, soars 720 feet (220 m) above Lago di Vogorno, the reservoir it forms. Oh, and its apex is also the site of a heart-stopping commercial bungee jump.

With the Arkansaw River running along the base of the gorge, this rare bungee jump is a beauty, and edging along its platform it takes some beating for fear factor too. Says jumper Larry Gottlieb: "Those last few inches feel like a mile. Then... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... jump! ...At first, there was a feeling of falling, but very quickly I reached terminal velocity of about 110 mph. After that, it felt like floating – just wonderful

Victoria Falls Bridge, Zimbabwe/Zambia

Victoria Falls view is breathtaking and makes you wish to embrace the place. Well, there’s an opportunity to do so if you’re brave enough. Bungee jumps near the falls could be done from Victoria Falls Bridge, which is about 500ft tall above the Zambezi River. The bridge is exactly on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, so you’d have to take the passport with you and give a statement that you’ll come back to the country from which you have approached the bridge. It sounds like a hassle, but it’s worth.

Royal George Suspension Bridge, Colorado

This is the highest suspension bridge in the world with 321m (1053) in height. Bungee jumping takes place only once a year, during Go Fast Games, so everyone who wants to try this site has to book it first. However, it’s worth waiting if you dare to jump from the bridge to Colorado River and the rocks around.

Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa

Bloukrans Bridge is over the same name river in Tsitsikamma National Park in South Africa, so the amazing view is guaranteed. You can walk up to the bridge or use the zip wire for faster arrival and all that is left to you is to face your fear. You would jump from a 216m (710ft) tall bridge, but the modern technology secures very smooth jump, however.

 Volcano Bungee, Chile

This is the most unique and probably the most exciting bungee jump site in the world. A helicopter would take you up to the volcano where you should jump from the helicopter to the molten lava. It’s about 106m (350ft) long cord that would bring you about 200m (700ft) to the lava. And that’s not all. After the jump, the helicopter takes you back to the base while you are dangling on the cord about 35 miles of ride.

007 Bungee Jumping Center, Switzerland

Not all great bungee sites are located in Africa and America. Europe’s best is in beautiful Switzerland. James Bond made a jump to the Lake Vogorno from 220m tall bridge during the shooting of “Golden Eye” and made this place famous. To retain the popularity f the site Swiss decided to be practical and gave it the name “007 Bungee Jumping Center.”

Blue Thunder Bungee, Canada

Despite the bungee sites placed somewhere deep in nature wonders, there are some on city skyscrapers. This one is located in world’s largest mall in Edmonton, Canada, and it’s also the world’s highest indoor jump pod. It offers a 106ft jump to the water, while for the most extreme jumpers full body dunks are also available.

 Bhote Kosi River on Himalayas, Nepal

Those who can’t get excited enough of climbing on Himalayas could try this bungee opportunity. The suspension bridge is build to connect two sides of the valley on the border between Nepal and Tibet where Bhote Kosi River flows. Jump’s height is 160m (524ft). It is considered as one of the most beautiful places for bungee in the world.

 Bungee Bullet, Australia

Experienced bungee jumpers might argue that this is not real bungee jump, but it could be quite exhilarating experience, so it’s worth mentioning. Located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland this is a reverse bungee jump pod. You can sit into the dual-sit capsule and get shot of 164ft in the air before landing which is a second jump actually.

Colorado River Bridge, Costa Rica

This is a must for adrenaline seekers. With the breathtaking forest all around, you would like to jump into this majestic nature and embrace it. The bridge is only 81 meters (265 feet) high, but you won’t miss adrenaline for sure.

Bungee Jumping, may definitely seem painful, dangerous and frightening, but all those feelings will disappear when you are released from the rope, getting back onto the platform, being congratulated by you friends. You HAVE to give this a try. I dare you.