Bungee jumping is such a common sport now that not many people blink an eye when they see it marketed online, on TV, or in travel magazines and books. However, have you ever taken a step back and wondered where exactly it originated? Someone had to of invented it, right?
The concept of bungee jumping originated from a Pentecost Island ceremony called land diving. However, David Kirke took it upon himself to create the official sport of bungee jumping, in which he was the first to jump off the Clifton Suspension Bridge in 1979 in the U.K.
There is a lot more to this fantastic sport by way of history. So, let’s take a walk through history and track bungee jumping back to its origins and look at the sport’s evolution.
What is Land Diving?
Land diving is unique to Pentecost Island, one of the inhabited islands that make up Vanuatu. This special event, which takes place before the yam harvest, is not just regarded as a transition ceremony for young males.
Young men participate in facing death by jumping headfirst from wooden structures as the ritual’s grand finale. These towers are about 100 feet tall. For harnesses, they use tree vines tied around their feet.
The trees are considered the home of Tamalie, a deity who beat and harmed his wife. When she had escaped him, she climbed the trees, wrapped the vines around her feet, and jumped to escape him. Tamalie had thought she had committed suicide and therefore jumped to his death.
Because of this, women are not allowed near the wooden towers. They believe that if a woman does, then Tamalie will take a man’s life as a result. However, they are allowed to support their jumpers and sing.
Did Land Diving Inspire Bungee Jumping?
Land diving did inspire bungee jumping. However, the only difference is that people worldwide do it more as a fun activity rather than a ritual. And all genders of people are encouraged to participate.
Who Invented Bungee Jumping?
David Kirke is the creator of modern world bungee jumping. He was 33 then and hosted the first jump in the U.K. on the Clifton Suspension bridge in 1979.
The bungee involved David and three other participants. By elasticized cables fastened to the bridge, they all leaped.
Where Did the First Bungee Jump Happen?
On April 1st, 1979, the planet’s debut bungee jump using flexible cords took place on Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, UK.
David Kirke used a simple bungee cord arrangement fashioned from straps and fasteners from a hang-gliding gadget to create the necessary gear.
You can watch the video of David Kirk many years later looking back at the original footage of the first bungee jump ever:
When Did Commercial Bungee Jumping Begin?
The first commercial bungee jumping location was on the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in New Zealand in 1988. It is suspended 141 feet above the Kawarau River.
The concept eventually caught on, and extreme sports enthusiasts from all over the world started traveling to New Zealand to jump off a bridge.
The Evolution of Bungee Jumping
The sport of bungee jumping didn’t just happen overnight; it started as a ritual and grew into commercialized sport. Below, I’ll walk you through the evolution of bungee jumping, so you can see why it is so appreciated!
Origins of Bungee Jumping
The origins of bungee jumping can be traced to an old rite practiced on Pentecost Island in the Southern Pacific.
Males have undertaken the duty to perform the Naghol or Land Diving ceremony to demonstrate their manliness.
Men jump off a specially constructed wooden tower each year at the beginning of the yam harvesting season while wearing elastic vines around their ankles. This ceremony has also claimed to contribute to a plentiful yam yield.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
On April 1st, 1979, precisely 29 years later, the West witnessed its first-ever Bungee Jump. In a suit, with a champagne bottle in his hand, David Kirke leaped off Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge.
At first, onlookers believed that this was a suicide. Kirk avoided reaching the water by slowing down just before impact and starting to climb again.
The group was dangling from their ropes upside down when cops arrived. They were detained, penalized, and made into overnight celebrities. But they continued after this.
They also leaped from the Royal George Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, sponsored by the television program “That’s Incredible.”
AJ Hackett
In New Zealand, close to Queenstown, AJ Hackett opened the Kawaru Bridge Bungy, the first commercially operated bungee site.
When he arrived on the scene, the sport began to flourish in an organized manner. In 1986, the New Zealander performed his first leap from Auckland’s Greenhithe Bridge.
Since that day in 1987 when A.J. Hackett jumped off the Eiffel Tower with a line tied to him, he has moved on to emerge as one of New Zealand’s greatest well-known and distinctive businesspeople.
He has chosen to plunge fearlessly rather than hold it back in the corporate sector. He pioneered the bungy jumping industry, which has opened up daring new tourism opportunities and broadened the perspectives of millions of people worldwide.
You can see one of the AJ Hackett locations in our Cairns Bungy Jump article here.
Where is Bungee Jumping Most Popular Today?
Here are the world’s most popular and best locations for bungee jumping:
- Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa (708 feet)
- Macau Tower, China (760 feet)
- River Nevis, New Zealand (440 feet)
- The Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado (1053 feet)
- Verzasca Dam, Switzerland (720 feet)
- Victoria Falls Bungee, Zimbabwe/Zambian border (360 feet)
- Volcano Bungee near Plukon, Chile (820 feet)
Is Bungee Jumping Safe?
Bungee jumping is a safe sport. However, the bungee cord must be secured so that the added weight won’t impact it before a jump is considered safe. Great anchor points are typically provided by steel handrails or retaining walls.
Professionals will also ensure that the bungee rope is knotted with weight-bearing knots to keep the jumpers from falling even while gravity is at work. Some businesses might install netting or airbags right below the jump spot to ensure jumpers’ safety.
Below are a few other things to consider to ensure that bungee jumping is as safe as can be:
People With Medical Conditions Should Be Extra Cautious
Anyone who is pregnant or who has high blood pressure should not go bungee jumping. Additionally, anyone with a blood supply issue or any conditions affecting the heart or legs should observe rather than participate.
If you have just recently had surgery, or have any chronic pain problems, especially in your neck or head, steer clear from jumping. If you have questions about whether bungee jumping is safe, consult your doctor.
Optimal Weather
Sometimes, bungee jumping gear only works great if there is rain or snow, and it can also be hazardous if the winds are too high. Therefore, bungee jumping businesses are most likely to close down on these days.
Jumpers Must Meet Requirements
Depending on the height and difficulty of the leap, different bungee operations would have additional minimum requirements.
If you are in reasonable mental and physical condition, the age limit is usually 12 to 14 years old, and the weight limit is typically 85 to 260 pounds. However, this can change depending on the location.
Make Sure Jumpers Wear the Right Attire
There isn’t a specific dress code for this activity; however certain clothing aids in maintaining safety. Wearing clothes that are too loose could impede the bungee cord.
Before jumping, take off any jewelry or other objects that could be harmful if they came free or fell off. These include everything from glasses and earrings to phones, tablets, pens, pencils, and hand-held cameras (unless they have a hands trap)
Read our detailed guide “What To Wear Bungee Jumping” to learn the best possible outfit for your bungee jumping adventure.
Final Thoughts
Bungee jumping slowly evolved over the last few decades, coming from Pentecost Island’s inhabitants who do ritualistic land diving.
While these inhabitants’ goals are to face death, most people who do it now as a sport only do it for an adrenaline rush or to face their fears. It sounds like a crazy sport, and it is! But, when done safely and following safety precautions, it gives people a safe space to experience it.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!