Bungee Jumping: A Fun Activity For Children And Adults

11311788477_-mdr4157.jpgOne not in the know would visualize a person aged between 17 to 30, buff and physically fit, as the one who frequents bungy jumping locations and engages in this one of a kind adventure sport. Contrary to most beliefs, bungy jumping is available to all ages. The main criteria for one to engage in this extreme sport, is that they meet the physical and health requirements. Simple logic would imply that children are not regular bungee jumpers, but then there are some isolated and special instances. The same goes for senior people. No one is too old, just probably not physically fit. This statement comes to truth as the oldest bungee jump ever recorded was a 96 year old man by the name of Mohr Keet.

Young children are not completely restricted as other forms of bungy jumping are available to them. Over the years since its discovery, bungy jumping has evolved into different kinds of activities mostly stemming from its main concept. Bungee trampoline is one of the inspired variations that is readily available to children from age 5.

It really doesn’t take that much to enjoy this sport. Whatever age you are, in whatever profession, social status, the first thing you have to consider before planning to do a jump is your current health standing. Next thing to consider is cost. Prices start off at $60 and go up to as high as $200 depending on the location and adventure package.

What also makes this sport great and easy for anyone to take part in is the little amount of training that is involved, apart from standard safety briefings, there is not much skill to it. You just stand on the platform and jump off with a cord attached to your ankles.

Bungee jumping is fun for all ages because of the adrenaline rush that is not easily duplicated. With the anxious climb, to the nerve wracking stand at the ledge, it is almost too scary of a feat to not want to do it! To onlookers, it seems to defy all logic and sense of being safe. Hurling yourself in an open free fall from 120 feet off a ledge, seems pretty insane and nothing that people in their right mind would actually consider doing.

But that’s just it! It’s the thrill of doing something you know is safe and extreme at the same time! The exhilarating feeling that bungee jumping gives is way beyond any age. Young or old, you will surely enjoy this one of a kind adrenalin rush and will surely come back for more!
 

Have You Always Wanted To Bungee Jump?

21311788477_bedb5554.jpgThere are two types of people in this world- adventurous souls and non-adventurous beings. Some think that as soon as you reach the 20′s more people try more and more daring activities. Others say it’s something that happens when you realise life is passing you by and there’s so much to still experience.

It’s a debatable subject and opinions differ. When thinking of an adventurous activity to try, one of the first things that jump to mind is bungee jumping.

In South Africa, there are two popular bungee jumping bridges that attract hundreds of adventurous souls throughout the year- Gourits bridge and the Bloukrans Bridge.

Bloukrans bridge has been around since as early as 1989 and offers jumpers a 65m bridge.

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Here’s why you should think about focusing on your vertical jump form, even if you currently already feel comfortable with how high you jump. There so many different examples of why form is an important element to jumping higher. If you’re a left-footed jumper, try jumping off of your right foot, and see if you can get as high. Is your right foot any weaker or stronger? No, it’s the same. But because there is decreased coordination, you are not able to harness the power that you already have. How to Jump Higher For Volleyball

Volleyball puts more emphasis on jumping higher than any other sport in the world and basketball would come in second. So if you want to be better at volleyball it only makes sense that you would want to learn how to jump higher. How to Jump Higher

Every athlete wants to learn how to jump higher and with good reason, being able to jump higher than your competition provides you with a huge advantage. Jumping higher isn’t about going to the gym and getting really strong legs that can squat tons of weight. If this were the case bodybuilders would be professional basketball players. Don’t get me wrong, you do need leg strength to jump high but it is only half of the equation. Volleyball Training to Jump Higher

When most people think of training for volleyball they only think of the drills that you do with the volleyball but what about jumping? You need to train yourself to jump to higher if you want to be a better volleyball player. Don’t get me wrong, you still need to practice all of your other skills such as passing, setting and hitting. But one huge advantage to have over your competition is being able to jump higher than them.Not only can you expect to do normal bungee jumping, you can also make use of the Bridge Swing. Think of an exciting way to get off the platform and just do it! Whether you jump nose first, crawl off the platform or get pushed off, you will experience something out of the ordinary.

As your breath gets caught in your throat and adrenaline sings in your veins, you will swing to the opposite side of the bridge. You definitely can’t compare this experience to your playground swing now can you?

If you want to do the traditional bungee jumping and feel the true feel of the plunge, try bungee jumping off the 65m bridge. Not in your wildest dreams could you have ever imagined approaching water at this speed! Say hey to the Gourits River as your cord stretches and pulls while all your senses sizzle.
The other bungee jumping bridge is situated at the Tsitsikamma Forest Village Market, roundabout 40km from Plettenberg Bay- where you will find the “highest commercially operating Bungee in the World”.

The Bloukrans bungee jumping bridge is a gob-smacking 216-meter high! Yes, you heard right! You will have to get all your nerves together and make sure your heart is in a good condition, because this bridge will certainly test that adventurous soul of yours.

Because of the height of this bridge, they offer a few different options as to things to definitely try once you get to this bridge.

Obviously, they offer you a bungee jumping experience that you will never forget! Imagine what Zorro felt like when jumping off a moving train, now multiply that with 400 and you might just be able to compare the thrill of bungee jumping.

Apart from this, the Bloukrans bridge group also offers an activity called the “Flying Fox”. Now, don’t think just because this isn’t bungee, it’s not as exciting. You will rocket off a platform and swing / fly / soar for 200m to the archway of the bridge. Expect to feel feelings you’ve never experienced before!

If you are one of those who believe you haven’t lived till you’ve tried at least everything once, then the “Double Rush Adventure Combo” is just the thing for you!

The Double Rush Adventure Combo is a combination of the flying fox and the bungee jump. You will soar through the sky for 200m, preparing you for the 216m bungee jump.

Can you even imagine how you will feel after experiencing two pumping experiences after one another?

For those that can’t get the courage together, there’s the much easier on the heart Bridge Walking Tours. You can walk along the catwalk to the top of the arch where the adventurous jump from and you can watch as they plunge down.

Are you feeling excited yet? Do you want to look back one day and say that you really lived? Then bungee jumping is definitely something that should get jotted down on your to-do list!

Who Wants to Base Jump?

01311788909_pb080071.jpgYou have gone sky diving, you’ve gone parasailing and you’ve tried bungee jumping… and they just aren’t enough of a thrill. What’s left? Why not throw yourself off a building (with a parachute of course). That’s exactly what brings people to the sport of BASE jumping.
BASE jumping is an extreme sport that entails jumping from a stationary object, experiencing a few moments of free fall and then opening a parachute to coast the rest of the way to the ground.
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Have you ever heard the saying practice makes perfect? Well, that is true only if you are practicing correctly. If you are training incorrectly to jump higher than you can practice all you want and your vertical jump will not increase. On the other hand if you understand the biomechanics behind jump training you can greatly increase your vertical leap. How to Jump Higher

Every athlete wants to learn how to jump higher and with good reason, being able to jump higher than your competition provides you with a huge advantage. Jumping higher isn’t about going to the gym and getting really strong legs that can squat tons of weight. If this were the case bodybuilders would be professional basketball players. Don’t get me wrong, you do need leg strength to jump high but it is only half of the equation. Volleyball Training to Jump Higher

When most people think of training for volleyball they only think of the drills that you do with the volleyball but what about jumping? You need to train yourself to jump to higher if you want to be a better volleyball player. Don’t get me wrong, you still need to practice all of your other skills such as passing, setting and hitting. But one huge advantage to have over your competition is being able to jump higher than them.BASE stands for building, antennae, span and earth and refers to the type of structures that people launch themselves from. Span is used to describe bridges or other structures that go across something and earth refers to mountains, cliffs, etc.
While BASE jumping can be extremely thrilling and an amazing adrenaline rush, it is extremely dangerous! In fact it is probably the most dangerous sport that exists today (though alligator wrestling is probably a close second). The most common problems that occur during a BASE jump have to do with the landing area and the launch area. Since there aren’t any “official” jump locations, athletes don’t always have enough room to land in. Also, depending on weather and the degree of wind effecting the area, sometimes they are propelled into the structure that they have just jumped from. Injuries from BASE jumping are generally substantial and often fatal. Another issue which could arise would be a defective parachute, obviously hurtling towards the ground without a working parachute is not advisable.
BASE jumping is not for everyone, and I must reiterate that it is extremely dangerous. However, if you feel that it is absolutely something you must do, look for a local society or club. By speaking with other athletes in the sport, you can learn valuable safety information regarding techniques, location, equipment and skills necessary to make a safe jump (or as safe as possible). BASE jumping is very similar to sky diving (without the plane) and thus to become a jumper, you must complete a Sky Diving Certification. Once you have completed this, you will find a mentor (possibly through a club or society) that can train you on how to BASE jump. It is very important to have this training as this sport requires knowledge of free fall and trajectory and the ability to make split decisions.
If you are still interested in BASE jumping, do your research. Learn everything you can about the dangers of the sport before you decide to try it. An informed decision is the best way to approach this thrilling but dangerous sport.