The SkyJump. You look at people
doing it from 192m below and wonder, how does that feel? Having relished my
skydiving and bunjee experiences there was one more adrenaline rush I wanted to
try out. So dressed in my fancy blue suit and armed with the camera that will
record my fear, I set out to conquer the views of Auckland from above.
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| Looking good |
The activity started back in 2007
when some clever people decided it would be fun to literally jump off the
Southern Hemisphere’s tallest infrastructure – the Sky Tower. Safety being the
number one concern (you would certainly hope so) and clearly so thanks the
heavy machinery (see below), fun is what it’s all about.
Yet another harness check is
welcome before I’m told it’s time to go. As I stare below me the scary feeling
sets in, and I’m thinking: OK, I have no choice now!
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| No turning back now! |
1,2,3 go and I step off, falling
faster than the apple on Newton’s head. As the speed reaches a constant (85km per hour) you can
start chilling and enjoying the ride. It may last just a few seconds but the
rollercoaster of emotions brought by SkyJump is well worth it. The view is
breathtaking, and you should have a go at jumping Matrix style and feel like
you’re in a movie!
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| Watch me jump! |
After my jump followed my walk. A
quick change of suits from blue to orange and an introduction to my team and
we’re back in the lift again for another adventure. Harnessed both at the front
and back, we all feel like a bunch of convicts and that helps to break the ice
between us. Stepping out onto the platform, it’s windy, and an unnerving
feeling creeps in.
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| Holding on tight! |
Ethan, our guide, insists it’s
his first day (I’m not buying it) and sets out to challenge us to some aerial
tricks. Hands off, walk and look up, and dangle yourself out into the open with
your heels of the platform form just a few of them. Needless to say despite my
best efforts, I decline in trying and decide to watch my team mates perform.
And hats off to them!
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| Nice trick! |
There’s something about walking
around at 192m above ground into the open air. But for my part I prefer jumping
on all counts. A strange sort of vertigo.
SkyWalk is a great way to sightsee the whole of
Auckland – at a bird’s eye view. On a clear day you can see really far, admire
the beauty of the Hauraki Gulf Islands and gaze into the Waitemata Harbour. See
the Waitakere Ranges and Coromandel Peninsula in the distance. Combining the
sights and the fun makes SkyWalk a great attraction, just make sure you’re comfortable
with heights!
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| The team |
Thanks to all the team at SkyJump and SkyWalk for an amazing time!
GO EXPLORE!
Steph
