The Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump

Queensland and the adventure in air : The drive between Christchurch to Queenstown in New Zealand is an absolute breathtaking experience. The stunning visuals nature offers during the 500 Km journey makes one spell bound. We were blessed to visit New Zealand this year and were also fortunate to be a part of this drive. Thanks to Joseph Rayappa and Neeta Joseph for being the excellent hosts.

Queenstown is known for adventure sports and variety of activities. As you approach the city, you already get a sense of adventure in the air. Activities based at the outskirts invite the city entering visitors to take a shot at the thrill.  One such activity is the world famous Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump activity.

Kawarau river and the bridge : The historical bridge constructed in 1880 to make access to the Central Otago Goldfields is now used for commercial purposes by AJ Hackett Bungy Company. Bungy Jumping started in 1988 commercially here and caught the imagination of the adventure lovers. It has been up and running ever since with people all over the world jumping happily and getting thrilled. You could read the history of Bungy jumping here.

As we drove towards the city, on the right side was this world famous Bungy jumping site. We could see people jumping from the bridge. The drizzling rain and the fading light made us to postpone the visit to the site the next day.

Sun rise and Son fall : The following day was a bright and sunny day as per New Zealand’s standards. I was padded with 2 jackets as per our standards. The bridge makes it for a spectacular view. Majestic and beautiful at the same time, it makes you appreciate the engineering skills our earlier generations had without sacrificing the looks.

The Kawarau river underneath is rigorous and intimidating. Cutting through the tall hills like a sharp knife, the sound made by the gushing currents of the river makes it a spectacular sight and hearing. As we stood in the side wings watching the people jump, I could see my son Pratheek getting excited and could sense what was coming. He had already hinted he would try jumping when we saw it from the distance the previous day. I was confident he would not venture it when seen from close. I was pretty sure the grip of fear and the uninviting scenery would keep his desire at bay.

Contrary to my belief he was already standing in the queue to enroll himself for the jump. He was just missing the stipulated weight required for the jump. We had to pad him with extra clothes and I had to remove my jackets in that cold for him to take the jump.     

After the initial jitters and taking more than enough time at the jumping plank, he had a successful jump. I was relieved it was over. I needed my jackets back. If I was not tensed or worried even for a second when I saw my young boy jumping from such height, it was for a reason. The professionalism, the safety measures and the assured environment the crew and staff provide there or in any activity in the entire country is unbelievable. Yes, these activities are expensive and it is worthwhile for good reasons.

I asked how it felt eagerly taking back my jacket. He said “it was just amazing”. Those words motivated me for a second and the next second I was back to my senses. It was also already time and I thanked God for creating that reason not to jump.

Back to the site : The next day we visited the beautiful Wanaka Lake. The serenity and calmness of the waters there was just opposite to the adrenal rush we experienced the previous evening at the Bridge. The drive back from the lake again was a visual treat. However, we had to pass through the Kawarau jumping site. This time we decided we would try the Zip line which looked less adventurous and lot less scary.

As we stood to enroll for the Zip line activity, my desire to try the jump gained momentum without a push. The momentum would have died down if friends and family had kept quite. They insisted and I was ready. 

I enrolled. Surprisingly, there was no sign of fear or regret. Not even while swiping the credit card. I gave the token to the crew, got my weight checked (just in case) and got the initial strings, ropes tied to my body. No fear, not as yet.Another person from India who looked at ease and with confidence oozing was getting tied up on the other side. It rubbed off to me. 

A couple of young girls who jumped ahead of me tried different styles of jumping. This left me wondering how I should jump. I zeroed in with the swimming pool kind of dive. I was ready. No fear. Music was being played and it was quite loud.

Moments before the jump : I was at the last stage before the jump. The legs were being  tied which is the most crucial stage. The other fellow Indian was ready on the other side. Music continued. His daughter was to jump after me on our side. I had another two before me. As my legs were being tightened up, the music started getting less audible. They had not reduced the volume, it was my heart which had started beating fast suddenly. The crew asked if I wanted to touch water during the fall. Why not ?

Now I was sitting in a position with my legs folded and knees in line with the face. Heart beat was racing with the music beats. Suddenly I heard the girl behind me shouting at her father. He was standing on the jumping plank. He did not want to jump. Confidence was the same on his face while not wanting to jump. I closed my eyes from that sight. The Girl was now yelling.

My turn came. I had to take three steps to the ‘final altar’ from where I could take the plunge. I imagined myself like a sacrificial sheep. The most difficult three steps I have ever taken in my life as of now. Music was playing but the river beneath made more noise. Inch by inch in to the plank and the ‘gravity’ of the situation struck. ‘What gravity is’ was going to occur to me in few seconds.  

One step and still my shoes was the only thing visible when looked down. Another step and it was that plank. The last step before the jump and it was only me and the rigorously flowing river down. Nothing in-between.

The countdown, the jump : The countdown begun. It was loud. My son had told me not to close my eyes as they would take videos. It would look like I was scared if I closed my eyes. Ten, Nine, Eight…. Can I say ‘no’ now? The crew was clear before the jump. They would not push me. If I did not want to jump, fine, but they would not push. It was my jump, my decision and nobody else’.

Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two and the moment came, One and jump. I closed my eyes and no, I could not jump. Just turned back and saw the crew and the other people waiting. Instantly turned back counted 3 myself, saw down and jumped with eyes wide open.

Glad I had my eyes open. It was scary for the first few split seconds and then it was an experience. Bliss. The finger tip touching the river water was the icing on the cake. I was also glad for that tinge of fear just before jump. Without that fear, without that rush of emotions the jump and the experience would not have been a fulfilling one that it ultimately was.