Adventure Pastimes

The first time I realised that I am afraid of heights was in 1994 when I bungee jumped for the first and last time. New Zealand is well known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’. I have met those abroad who assume that apart from playing Rugby and admiring the scenery, we spend our day’s bungee jumping, white water rafting, and other such adrenaline sports that cater largely for international tourists.


Whilst on the subject of international perceptions of New Zealand, following is a conversation I have had many times whilst living abroad.

‘Where are you from?’

‘New Zealand’

‘Ahh, New Zealand. It’s beautiful’

‘Oh, you’ve been there?’

‘Err, no,... but I’ve heard its lovely. I’d love to go one day’.
 

Regarding my bungee jump, I was not cajoled into doing it. Quite the contrary, it was following my suggestion that I found myself strapped to an elastic cord 47 metres above the ground, trembling as my previously shy and retiring sense of self preservation began to raise its cowardly head. To call my experience a bungee jump is to be disingenuous. It was more accurately, a bungee knee-trembling-plummet. I had always imagined leaping forth into the air, all embracing of the sensation that comes with free falling from such a distance. This did not happen. After being convinced by my captors on the high platform, whom I had paid $147, that the best course of action was not to be unstrapped and return more conventionally to the earth, I decided, jelly legged, to collapse from the platform to the ground below. I was terrified.

Given all this, it may seem somewhat strange that I volunteered for the Skytrex adventure circuit. It’s a series of flying foxes, ladders and aerial obstacles negotiated at the height of 17 metres. Of course, we were all strapped in and attached with what appeared to be very safe devices. The fear of user error was always foremost in my mind however as I double, triple and quadruple checked my harnesses at various points.

After the first few platforms I began to breathe a little easier and at one point towards the end of the course I even enjoyed the sensation of throwing myself off a ledge. It’s a fantastic facility out at Shah Alam and I would highly recommend it. It’s a bargain price as well; 45RM, incredible value, so check it out at http://www.skytrex-adventure.com/index.php.