21-JAN-2007
From the brochure: “Shotover Canyon is adrenalin filled adventure at its best. At the platform you are fitted into a seat and chest safety harness and connected to the jump ropes. Your arms and legs are free throughout the journey and you can safely depart the platform in any position imaginable – whether you jump yourself or are suspended over the 109 M/360 ft. drop before being released. Upon departing the platform you experience a 60M/200 ft. pure freefall down the cliff face before the ropes smoothly pendulum you into the canyon at 150 KPH through a giant swing arc of 200M/650 ft."
21-JAN-2007
We thought we wouldn't have any problem with the conditions, but then we noticed the last one. The staff told us that Canadians might be about the only people who would not be upset by such a joke and that their experience suggested that usually mild mannered Canadians were often the most enthused jumpers.
21-JAN-2007
From Barb's journal: I was psyched. I walked to the edge and looked down. This was all fine until I looked at the ends of my shoes over the edge. At that moment I felt that my heels were made of cement and that I could not move. I announced, “I can’t do this”.
04-FEB-2007
I was ready to step back to safety, but the jump masters said, “Yes, you can do this and you will.” It all happened so fast. I stepped off and...
(Photo by Canyon Swing)
21-JAN-2007
Greg turned out to be one of those Canadians the staff were refering to. Probably still dazed from the Zorb, he chose to do his first jump as described in the brochure, "Standing with your heals over the edge of the platform. Hands behind your head and slowly fall back into the canyon below. The view of the platform rocketing away from you is truly freaky. A great option for experienced jumpers.”
04-FEB-2007
This photo shows a bizarrely calm Greg falling toward the bottom of the canyon. (photo by Canyon Swing)
21-JAN-2007
Here, he decides that he can fly.
21-JAN-2007
The canyon swing clearly added to the effects of the earlier zorbing.
21-JAN-2007
There was nothing else to do but go again. Both of us chose the "Gimp Boy Goes to Hollywood" described in the brochure as follows. “We’ll suspend you upside down over the canyon staring directly at the canyon floor, arching your back and reaching for the river below. Keep your eyes open and wait to be released. You’ll swoop down towards the river – eyeballs first.” It was a blast.