For many of us, this has been a summer of rain, rain and more rain.
That was no different at the second practice session at Great Canadian Bungee on July 24th. This was the second of three practices at the highest commercial bungee jump in North America @ 200 feet.
The rain had started the night before and was showing no signs of letting up. The goal for this practice was simple; do 16 jumps - no matter what. The current record for most jumps at GCB in a day was 14. So now with a new winch system that Matt Lawrence had installed in the tower we had a shot at beating that record without too much disruption to other customers wanting to jump. The plan was laid out for me to do 8 jumps in 30 minutes then rest for 60- 90 minutes. Then back up to the tower and do 8 jumps in 30 minutes again. Daunting but doable in my mind.
The rain played a major factor. There wasn't a dry inch on me and the rain was in a downpour at times. I remember thinking during my first jump, "this is nuts". One jump in this OK, but we're talking 16 here! However there was no other option and I had to produce this result. Not only as a personal goal but to also energize the project and hopefully bring some major media into it. After 30 drenching minutes, 8 jumps were complete. It was time for me to rest and change into dry clothes. Now the rain had stopped and I was optimistic in getting at least 7 more - especially if the conditions were dryer. Soon it was time to get back up onto the tower. The minute I started out on the catwalk there was some thunder and the heavens opened up again! It was just meant to be that way. When I was around 12 and 13 jumps I knew we were close and I just had to stay in the zone and keep going. The moment was at hand and #15 was done. A new GCB record! I did one more for good measure and that was it, 16 jumps in 1 hour jump time. I stepped down from the catwalk and went over to the tower base. There was a rock on the ledge that I had left there 3 hours earlier ( see previous post "The Rock"). It now sits on my office desk with the #16 on it.
I have to hand it to some people that were there. Ian ( jumpmaster ), Nick, Rob and Ian were the crew that day. They deal with all kinds of weather and that makes for a long day up in the cage. But they soldier on and I have tremendous respect for them. Eric Spurrell is the photographer for Gravity Gives. He and his assistant Brody Huk had to battle the conditions to get some video and stills for the project. They to did a great job and I am very grateful to them both.
Now we have the Augsut 15th practice then...Verzasca!
