I just did my first bungee jump at 51... I should know better

Age might bring wisdom, but it didn’t stop me from taking the leap – literally. Here’s what happened when I decided to defy gravity (and common sense) at 51.

“A life lived in fear is a life half lived” is a catchphrase I hope is imprinted on my two kids. I don’t want them to grow up scared of the world but to live full of opportunity, optimism and a ‘can do’ attitude; to feel the fear and do it anyway.

I had been cocky about it since we arrived in Queenstown. The wife was not keen. She was clutching at straws to make my jump not happen before we left.

“You can’t jump with MS,” was her first attempt to ‘stop the jump’. I emailed my neurologist whose reply was somewhat reassuring. “You are old enough to make your own stupid decisions. It shouldn’t affect your MS.”

And then it became a campaign of appropriateness. “This is not the most appropriate way to model a life lived without fear,” she counted. I just laughed it off.

Pre-jump bungee process

I laugh all the way through check-in, weigh-in, waiver signing and pre-jump selfies with the kids.

I am chipper and confident as the young English lass on the bridge over the turquoise Kawarau River 15 minutes from the heart of Queenstown takes my card and details and gives me a harness to step into.

“A life lived in fear is a life half lived”.

I chat with my jovial instructor as he attaches me to a safety wire and invites me to sit on a simple pinewood-caged platform.

When he wraps a towel around my ankles and binds them with a nondescript strap, things get real. I want to scream “WHERE is the high-tech safety gear?”

I creep into myself and my own head.

I couldn’t watch my predecessor take the leap, but their scream echoed around the gorge. Once that scream had dissipated my instructor turned his attention to me. Another small harness is wrapped around my bound ankles as three D clips are attached to my ankles and waist.

And the time has come.

The Kawarau River jump is a fifteen-minute drive from the centre of Queenstown.

The bungee jump

“OK I need you to step up and out onto the ledge,” my happy-go-lucky instructor says, his tone no longer jovial and loud, but soft and firm.

“I need you to inch out further so your toes are on the edge,” he continues.

“Oh f%$K,” is all I could muster as my shackled feet inch forward.

“So, look over to your left and waive at the camera,” the calm voice behind me says. I am reassured as I can feel he has hold of the harness around my waist. Looking at the photo now, that is the face of a man in deep terror.

Overcome your fears.

“Let go of the handle now Quentin,” his soothing voice says. I take a deep breath and reluctantly let go.

He releases his grip on the harness and it now up to me.

“OK, I am going to count down from three and then you are going to jump. Think about diving into the pool and you’ll have the best experience.”

I can’t look down but just out ahead and focus on his words. I am also very conscious the kids are watching, so I cannot back out. I must walk my talk and model “a life lived in fear is a life half lived”.

“Three… two… one.”

Feel the exhilarating freedom as you jump.

Suddenly, I am soaring (sure in the wrong direction) in the hands of the gods. The freedom is exhilarating. I feel a sense of endless liberty. As the bungee reaches its apogee and flings me in the opposite direction, I remind myself to breathe.

The second fall I enjoy more.

The adrenaline rush is addictive.

As I grasp the outstretched arms of the team in the boat on the river, I am disappointed it is all over.

“How was it?” my 13-year-old screams as he scampers down the 50 steps to greet me.

“Amazing!” is all I have.

With my neurologist’s approval, I took the leap.

Back in the ticket office, cafe and gift shop, I need to buy something so I can hold onto this feeling of conquering and freedom.

The AJ Hacket guys are smart, they have just the thing for the occasion; a ‘fear less, live more’ hoodie that will take me to this feeling every time I put it on.

The kids are so enthused they want to participate, so we booked the Zip Ride that operates from the same facility.

The three of us fly the 130-metre line together (my wife is still not onboard), some more scared than others. It is a shared moment of fear-conquering.

While it is the best thing I have done in a long time I am hoping it is the first of many moments they feel the fear and do it anyway.

Conquer your fears on the zipline with your nearest and dearest.

AJ Hackett Kawarua River bungee jump details

AJ Hackett Bungy Kawaraua River is the first commercial bungee jump in the world. AJ Hackett also operates the Nevis Bungy in the Queenstown area and bungee jumps in Taupo and Auckland.

The Kawarau River jump is a fifteen-minute drive from the centre of Queenstown. AJ Hackett operates a free Bungy Bus, a courtesy transport for jumpers.

There are options to add photos and videos, and I would highly recommend adding these options.