Despite being a very popular and well -known adventure sport, few are those who know their beginnings and history. Categorized as one of the most extreme terrestrial sports that exist, it seems interesting to ask ¿ who was the first adventurer in throwing yourself in the void? And how did it do it?
As for its history, the Bungee does not have data from a primitive sport but with allegorical ancestors that relate a myth and legend original.
the jump in Bungee as ancient ritual
The oldest traces of a Bungee jump are rooted in the rites and customs of a distant town in the Vanatu Islands , a small archipélago in the Pacific Ocean 1,750 kilometers from Australia.
On the Island of Pentecost , the population of bunlap tells the story of a man named Tamalie to start the practice of the ritual " gkol " . The story tells that one day, this man had a dispute with his wife and she decided liana . When Tamalie went up to look for her, she ventured from the tree and her husband continued without knowing that she was tied to a liana. Tamalie died and her woman survived , while this story caused great impact on the inhabitants of Bunlap who began to practice this type of jump to prevent a similar situation. Finally, this practice was transformed into a ritual called "Gkol".
The gkol is a ceremony which consists of a very leap similar to the Bungee jump made only by the men of the village. In this case it is a tower of up to 25 meters height completely built with cane and vegetable strings . The jumper is tied with natural lianas in each ankle that have been measured for a very precise leap since this rite does not simply consist of jumping to emptiness but the Head should touch the ground slightly. This indicates that only a few centimeters of mistake to the extent of the lianas can cost the life of the man in question.
This initiatory rite allows teenagers to become men and ensure a good harvest for the entire village. From this tower they come to jump both children of 7 years of age (who jump from a lower height) and adult men. This tradition is a proof of the masculinity and a omen that can be positive or negative in the future of the entire village. This great challenge has become a universal challenge practiced in all parts of the world with some modifications and certainly many improvements.
early bungee
At the beginning of 1970, Helmut Kiene a German climber made a pendular jump tieding a rope on a bridge of the Les Usses river and jumping from another bridge to 50 meters of Distance of the initial bridge. But it was not until 1979 , which was held the first modern jump of Bungee for a group of adventurers , students of the University of Oxford and Creators of the dangerous sports club . Alan Weston, David Kirke, Chris Baker, Tim Hunt and Simon Keeling jumped from a 60 meters high bridge and despite having problems with the law due to their extreme actions, continued their initiative < /Strong> When attacking other heights such as platforms, various bridges and even hot air balloons or moving cranes.
Currently, this fabulous sport evolved much in terms of its use material. While the gkol uses natural lianas, the members of the Dangerous Sports Club already used strings made and today in day, it is also changed.
practice bungee currently
As sports practice , currently the jump in Bungee is a very popular activity accessible to all audiences from a certain age (it depends on the company that teaches the activity) and with a limit of until the body allows it. There are cases of 9 -year -old children as of people up to 75 years who have jumped in Bungee successfully . However, there are certain restrictions:
- Have a physical condition healthy ,
- do not suffer of heart disease,
- Overcome fear at the heights.
As for equipment, the most essential factor is a elastic rope produced by a large number of small strips of natural latex and other materials. A Bungee rope must have a stretch capacity of 400% to cushion the impact of fall and avoid physical disagreements. This type of rope can resist the weight of a ton.
Another essential characteristic is the harness . Formerly jumps were made with body harnesses that tied the rope to the shoulders being highly dangerous for the individual. With a high risk of hanging, this technique was modified to give rise to an effective tied by the ankles, (in some cases it also takes a hip harness) which allows the person to jump not suffer a sharp change of posture.
The places where they are practiced present a situation previously studied to launch with all certainty and of course to establish a special contact with nature and its beauty. This wonderful activity will allow you to feel an unparalleled freedom and above all a sense of unparalleled flight. Don't miss it!
