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Bungee Jumping
Bungee Jumping Bungee jumping is a sport that has dramatically evolved over the past couple decades. Bungee jumping has evolved into a sport of art and thrill. As a tribal tradition, the ritual was soon incorporated with a bungee cord. Bungee jumping spread rapidly throughout the world, ever-growing in popularity. Detailed designs and engineering have helped to take bungee jumping to all new limits. An array of prices depicts a variety of heights, harnesses, and locations of sites. Bungee jumping offers many diverse medical advantages. New innovations in the bungee field have led to all new rides and adventures. Bungee jumping is a sport that enables a person to prove something to themselves, regardless of age, sex, religion, or race. Bungee jumping is based on an age-old ritual practiced by the “land divers” of Pentecost island in the South Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu. Young men proved their courage by plummeting off giant towers. Every spring villagers there collect liana vines and wind them into long cords. The men then scale six story wooden towers, attach the vines around their ankles and jump. A successful leap is considered a demonstration of courage. In 1979, a bungee cord was incorporated with this tribal ritual. Members of the Oxford University’s Dangerous Sports Club read about and designed a safe form of the practice. Atop the Golden Gate Bridge, dressed in tuxedos and top hats, the first form of bungee jumping came to existence. In 1987, bungee jumping moved to the American commercial scene. Two brothers, John and Peter Kockelman, began jumping from bridges over river gorges in the Sierras. Recognizing the sport’s commercial potential, they opened Bungee Adventures in 1988. Bungee jumping spread rapidly throughout the world, ever-growing in popularity. Bungee jumping became national crazes in many areas. After the use of a bungee cord was thought of, the idea first spread through New Zealand. From here, Australia and France soon caught on and joined the sport. This new hobby, predominantly known and practiced only by skydivers, rock climbers, and other extremists caught the world’s attention and spread like a wild fire. In America, bungee jumping was also proving popular. The first commercial bungee business began thirty minutes outside San Diego, CA. Commercial sites in Colorado and Utah soon began to pop up. Expansions of these businesses now help to cover almost every western state. Bungee Jumping’s popularity has helped it to become an officially recognized sport. National Freestlye Bungee Championships are held each year and are broadcasted on a number of channels including “ESPN 2." Detailed designs and engineering have helped to take bungee jumping to an all new limit. The actual bungee is composed of all synthetic fibers and designed for strength. The cord is a special blend of rubber with a high tensile strength and special ozone and ultra-violet ray protection. Each cord is rated at over 1,000 jumps and is guaranteed for 500. Elaborate “crane towers” allow for a full jump without breaking the law. Early aerialists risked going to jail for jumping off open bridges, thus a new platform was needed. Many jumpers discovered the use of cranes. At 180 feet, specially designed cranes allow for plenty of jumping room. The use of hot air balloons was another idea that went over well. Many companies now specialize in the use of a hot air ballons for bungee jumping platforms. Increased regulations have helped make the hobby safe for all jumpers. Though cranes are legal, they are hard to come by. Hot air balloons are easily accessible and provide variable heights for jumpers. Increased regulations have helped make the hobby safe for all jumpers. The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for certifying all bungee jumping applicants. Each appliThis is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Electronic References. Please register below now! Get This Full Article After Registration
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