Jumping from the height of 83 metres and hanging in the air like a pendulum is not just thrilling, it’s a liberating experience, says Divya Kaushik, who tried extreme adventure sports at Jumpin Heights, Rishikesh
Everything will be OK. look straight. Breathe easy. The words were just hitting my ears and I felt choked to speak. looking back or down was no option. Feet were frail and senses numb with strong winds gushing on the face, waking me up from my reverie every second. “I have to do this,” I told myself and took a giant jump from the height of 83 meters. I knew there could be nothing like it. Heart was racing fast, hands almost froze but didn’t lose the grasp of the rope, the body was light and free in the air hanging like a pendulum. I triumphantly looked at the high cliffs and river Hiual that appeared like a sketch of a narrow stream. I was no more shaking, though still oscillating in the air, gazing on the ground that appeared like a toddler’s drawing sheet with blots of colours. I was enjoying my moment in the air when I realised I was getting closer to the ground and there were three men waiting and congratulating me on my safe landing. The badge that said ‘I have guts,’ was no less than an honour for the daring act. After crossing the stream, I trekked the mountains to be on the top again and there were other guests in the cafeteria who just watched me live while doing a giant swing. “It is like making them ready for their turn and assuring them that whether it will be bungee jumping, a giant swing or flying fox, it will be absolutely thrilling and a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Martina, cheerful and bright. She is a senior jump master from New Zealand at Jumpin Heights in Rishikesh. She has conducted over 14,000 safe jumps over five different sites and has an experience of over 14 years. like Martina there are jump masters from New Zealand and well-qualified trainers who assure that those who turn up at Jumpin Heights for extreme adventure sports are assured of their safety. “Bungee jumping, canyon swing and flying fox are household words in New Zealand, the country, which has made jumping from heights, amidst picturesque environment, a popular tourist attraction. It is difficult for most people to look down from such heights but those who do these activities feel a strong adrenaline rush and come back with a tremendous sense of achievement. Eighty two per cent people doing these activities in New Zealand are international travellers. In India, the craze for adventure sports is on rise and I have experienced the crowd swelling each season,” shared Martina.
Jumpin Heights was established in 2010 in Pauri district at Mohan Chhati, approximately 15 kms from laxman Jhula. It is built in picturesque surroundings over river Hiual, a tributary of Ganga. The promoter of Jumpin Heights is ex-Captain Rahul Nigam, an alumni of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy Dehradun. It has been managed by ex-Army officers to ensure a high level of discipline in maintaining safety standards on the site.
I got to know from the locals who are used to people screaming, shouting, escaping from the parking area after listening to other visitor’s experiences that the adventure destination is still popular among foreigners. Indians are rare, daring to do bungee jumping, giant swing and flying fox.
They boast of having Asia’s longest flying fox, built over the river Hiaul. The launch platform is 120 meters high. It covers a one-kilometer-long distance over the river valley, accelerating up to speed of 160 kmph. Three people can do it together in tandem. It has been designed by Ron Cranston of New Zealand. It is suggested that it is like a warm up exercise for the other two extreme sports and therefore should be done first. Before you will proceed for any activity, a throrough check up and weight measurement is mandatory. This might not come as a good news for the ladies but they actually scribble your weight on your left hand with a thick marker. It helps the attendants and trainers at the spot choose right ropes, harnesses for you. As a warm up exercise you will have to trek up the mountains to reach the spot.
The bungee has been designed by David Allardice of New Zealand. A cantilever platform has been built over a rocky cliff at the height of 83 meters. Martina was the lady in action when we visited the bungee platform with assistants who are trained to talk smart. “You actually need to be trained like a motivational speaker. More than courage adventure sports are about allowing your mind and body to feel liberated. One thing you should keep in mind is the experience that you are going to get out of bungee or giant swing. Doing bungee after giant swing is difficult as you know what’s in store. So I advise that one should go for bungee, just enjoy the fall and then the swing. Dealing with mindsets is difficult but we do not force, we give people two chances and try convincing but the final decision rests in your hand,” said Martina.
My feet were tied again and the feeling was familiar. I could feel the rush of blood while I watched the person attaching a thick chord to my tied feet. Harnesses were right. Attachments were in place and I felt the fear more for I knew what was coming. There was nothing to hold on to this time and before I could think more I heard the final call, “Bungee.” I was inverted in the air soon and was confident to spread my arms and embrace the air before I made the final landing. I had proved twice I had guts and was even given certificates for that.