Bungy Jumping in Queenstown: What to expect
Bungy Jumping in Queenstown is NOT an Optional Activity!
Why would anyone want to throw themselves off a perfectly good bridge with only an elastic band to save them from certain death?
Commercial Bungy Jumping was born in Queenstown New Zealand and has continued to innovate and lead adventure tourism in Queenstown, and beyond the global scene. If you want to say you've bungy'd, then Queenstown and AJ Hackets is really the only place you should consider!
WHY IS IT NOT OPTIONAL?
If you’ve been thinking of bungy jumping but are unsure if you can work up the courage to step onto the bridge, here's everything you can expect when jumping with AJ Hackett Bungy.
FIRST STEP: THE PAPERWORK
After you’ve plucked up the courage to make a booking and hand over your money, you’ll need to do the paperwork. You’ll sign an indemnity waiver form and stand on the scales. Your weight is written on the back of your hand, and the jump masters use this weight to determine the length of your bungy rope. You’ll need to remove anything from your pockets, as well as hats, sunglasses or jewellery.
SECOND STEP: GETTING CLOSER
You’ll head towards the jump platform where the jump crew will check your ticket and check your weight. You then wait at the end of the bridge, and then get moved onto the platform in small groups where you are prepped. When it’s your turn, you’ll put your harness on with the jump crew checking everything as you go.
THIRD STEP: THE JUMP PLATFORM
Now, you’ll head towards the jump platform. This is where fear, nerves, adrenaline and excitement all start churning around in your stomach. You may be tempted to give in to fear as you realise just how high you are. Don’t give in! It will all be worth it in the end.
Next, the jump master attaches the system of ropes and towels that fit tightly around your ankles. Each bungy site has a slightly different way of jumping, and in some cases, you have the option to do a tandem jump. This is probably the most challenging part - the wait. If your group has a few jumpers, you may be asked to wait, seated, to the side while the others jump. That wait is the single hardest part and the only advice we can give here is don't wuss out!
Thankfully, the jump master will distract you with small talk so you can’t overthink what you are about to do.
FOURTH STEP: BUNGY!
With everything safely attached and harnessed, now it’s your turn. You will shuffle towards the edge of the platform and prepare yourself mentally to leap off it. Even with all the encouragement from friends, strangers and jump masters, the only person who can make you jump, is you.
Time to turn towards the camera and squeeze out a smile. Pretend you’re brave, even if you’re not (it will look better when you’re boasting to friends later).
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… bungy!
FIFTH STEP: THE RUSH
All the fear, excitement and adrenaline are lost as you make that giant leap. Exhilaration takes over, followed quickly by relief as the bungy cord does its thing. Suddenly, something that seemed scary has become one of your biggest achievements. And you can’t wait to tell everyone.
Depending on which bungy site you jumped at, you may be plucked from the water in a raft or winched back to the jump platform.
You did it!
You now have faced your fears and earned your bungy bragging rights.
SO, WHAT ABOUT SAFETY?
When AJ Hackett says they “invented safe”, they mean it. Their commitment to safety is steadfast, and over the years they have created an entire safety assurance system that provides the framework for the New Zealand and Australian bungy jump standards. An independent audit is undertaken at each jump site every 6 months.
There is a load of information on the AJ Hackett website (link: http://www.bungy.co.nz/) about their safety record, safety procedures as well as how the bungy cord is made.
HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?
Bungy founders, AJ Hackett and Henry Van Asch were Wanaka ski buddies who were inspired by the eccentric shenanigans of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club, said to be the pioneers of extreme sports in the 1970s and 1980s.
But the Oxford crew had of course stolen the idea from the original bungy jumpers. The inhabitants of Pentecost Island in Vanuatu began the tradition of leaping from a purpose-built tower attached only by a vine. Each year, one man jumps from the tower in the ultimate display of masculinity and to herald the start of the yam season. The tradition goes, the better the jump, the better the yam season.
Thousands of miles away and not a yam in sight, the first commercial bungy site was born on the Kawarau Bridge on the 12th of November 1988 with AJ and Henry at the helm. Dismissed as a tourist fad, the bungy duo was given a 30-day license to operate. From the very first day, the lure and thrill of bungy have driven its popularity, and it has helped Queenstown cement itself as the adventure capital of the world.
So don't miss that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to Bungy at the epicentre of adrenalin sports and adventure tourism - Queenstown NZ, with the founding fathers of the commercial bungy empire - AJ Hackets Bungy!