## Where Did Bungee Jumping Begin?
Bungee jumping is an extreme sport that involves jumping from a tall structure while attached to a long elastic cord. The cord stretches and then recoils, pulling the jumper back up to the structure. Bungee jumping is a popular tourist activity, and there are bungee jumping sites all over the world.
### The Origins of Bungee Jumping
It is not clear where bungee jumping originated, but there are several theories. One theory is that it began in the Pentecost Islands of Vanuatu. The people of Pentecost have a tradition of jumping from tall towers called “nal-tals” as a way to prove their courage and manhood. The nal-tals are made of wood and are about 30 meters high. Jumpers attach vines to their ankles and jump from the tower. The vines break their fall and they are pulled back up to the tower by the other villagers.
Another theory is that bungee jumping originated in England. In the 1970s, a group of Oxford University students began jumping from the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. They used rubber cords to break their fall. The students called their sport “bungee jumping” after the slang word “bungee”, which means “elastic”.
Bungee jumping quickly became popular in England and other countries. In 1986, the first commercial bungee jumping site opened in New Zealand. Since then, bungee jumping has become a popular tourist activity all over the world.
### How Bungee Jumping Works
Bungee jumping is a relatively safe sport, but it is still important to take precautions. Bungee jumpers must wear a harness that is attached to the elastic cord. The cord is made of latex or rubber and is designed to stretch and recoil. The jumper is also attached to a safety line that is used to pull them back up to the structure if the elastic cord breaks.
When a bungee jumper jumps, the cord stretches and then recoils. The jumper is pulled back up to the structure by the force of the recoil. The height of the jump depends on the length of the cord and the weight of the jumper.
### The Risks of Bungee Jumping
Bungee jumping is a safe sport, but there are still some risks involved. The most common risk is injury to the neck or spine. This can happen if the jumper’s head hits the water or if the cord is not strong enough to support the jumper’s weight. Other risks include:
* **Drowning:** If the jumper falls into water, they could drown if they are not wearing a life jacket.
* **Heart attack:** The sudden rush of adrenaline can cause a heart attack in people with heart problems.
* **Stroke:** The sudden change in pressure can cause a stroke in people with high blood pressure.
It is important to weigh the risks and benefits of bungee jumping before deciding whether or not to participate in the sport. If you are healthy and do not have any heart or blood pressure problems, bungee jumping can be a fun and exciting way to experience the thrill of freefall.
### Bungee Jumping Around the World
There are bungee jumping sites all over the world. Some of the most popular sites include:
* **The Victoria Falls Bridge, Zambia/Zimbabwe:** This is the highest bungee jumping site in the world, with a drop of 111 meters.
* **The Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado, USA:** This is the highest bungee jumping site in the United States, with a drop of 321 meters.
* **The Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, New Zealand:** This is the site of the first commercial bungee jumping operation.
* **The Macau Tower, China:** This is the highest bungee jumping site in Asia, with a drop of 233 meters.
* **The Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa:** This is the highest bungee jumping site in Africa, with a drop of 216 meters.
### Bungee Jumping as a Sport
Bungee jumping is a competitive sport, and there are bungee jumping competitions held all over the world. Competitors compete in different categories, such as highest jump, longest jump, and most creative jump.
Bungee jumping is also a popular stunt sport. Stunt jumpers often perform jumps from great heights or from unusual locations. Some of the most famous stunt jumpers include:
* **Alan John:** John is a British stunt jumper who has set several world records for bungee jumping. He has jumped from the Eiffel Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Petronas Towers.
* **Felix Baumgartner:** Baumgartner is an Austrian skydiver and stuntman who became famous for his jump from the edge of space in 2012. He also holds the world record for the highest bungee jump, which he set in 2007.
* **Jeb Corliss:** Corliss is an American BASE jumper and stuntman who has performed some of the most daring bungee jumps in history. He has jumped from the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and from the Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall.