What is Bungee Jumping?
About Bungee Jumping
- Invented: 1979
- Founded By: Oxford University
Bungee jumping is an extreme sporting activity where a person jumps from an elevated surface, typically some sort of artificial or naturally occurring platform. Before the person jumps, they are equipped with an elastic cord that is attached to either their feet or body. That cord is then tethered to the starting point. Once secured, the person will then jump headfirst. They will keep going until the cord reaches its maximum length, after which the cord will rebound, and the person will shoot back up. The fall will probably last for no more than a few seconds.
One of the most popular locations where people will go bungee jumping is the Nevis Highwire on the Nevis River Valley in New Zealand. The jump is 134 meters high, and it can be expected to be around an 8.5-second free fall.
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FAQ
What is bungee jumping?
Bungee jumping is an activity where the jumper falls from a high place with an elastic cord attached to them to brace their descent and pull them back up. It is an exhilarating activity that allows participants to experience the weightlessness of flying and provide thrill-seekers with a rush of adrenaline. Typically, people jump off bridges, cranes, or dams and will free fall towards an open body of water. The bungee cord will reach its maximum stretch before recoiling the jumper back upwards.
What are some of the best places to go bungee jumping?
There are some world-famous sites to go bungee jumping for both amazing views and exhilarating free falling. The Macau Tower in Macau, China, holds the Guinness World Record for the highest commercial bungee jump. At the Macau Tower, a participant will jump from 233 meters above ground and will keep going until they get to 30 meters above ground, where the cord will rebound back up. Another popular location for bungee jumping is the Verzasca Dam in Ticino, Switzerland, which is over 220 meters tall.
What equipment do I need to safely go bungee jumping?
There is minimal equipment needed to go bungee jumping safely. As a participant, all that needs to be brought to the site is appropriate footwear like sneakers and comfortable clothing. The professionals at the site will provide three other important pieces of equipment: a harness, a helmet, and the bungee cord. The harness is worn around your body, the bungee cord is securely attached to the harness, and the cord will recoil you back up after your descent. Most bungee jumping sites will also feature a rigging system, which consists of a series of pulleys and ropes used to hoist the jumper back up to the original surface or platform once their bungee jumping experience has concluded.