Lingering question

As the days count down to the main event at the Verzasca Dam, the question I still get asked is WHY?

Why would I want to do something so crazy as to fly half way around the world to Switzerland, and then throw myself off the highest dam in Europe with just a rubber cord harnessed to my ankles?

We all have goals in life and doing this is one of mine. I’ve done 52 bungee jumps but never from anything as high as Goldeneye (220m). So that is the next challenge. When considering doing this I came to the realization that attempting to do more jumps there than anybody is certainly an accomplishment but that wasn’t enough. Could I combine this with a public awareness and fundraising effort? My immediate response was YES. The idea was so compelling and I had no legitimate reason to say “no I can’t”. That was the genesis of The Gravity Gives Project.

The other question I’m asked is why the three charities that were picked for this project.

The GGP is very unique in the world of fundraising and I wanted to help some causes that would normally not get the level of exposure and assistance that the project is generating. The issues that these groups deal with are universal and they are in every corner of society. The people from these organizations do the best they can and rely heavily on the good conscience and generosity of people just to stay alive.

The Halton Learning Foundation works hard with school faculties to assist students who are economically disadvantaged and these conditions are a very real barrier to the student achieving the education they deserve. Where the province can’t help, The Halton Learning Foundation steps in and levels the playing field. It can be a matter of making sure the student has a proper lunch to providing vouchers for clothing. It may not solve all the problems but it may just be enough to get the student on their feet and on the right path.

The Deck Youth Centre has been in Milton for several years now and that by itself is an accomplishment. They provide an alternative to Milton’s youth who simply want to spend their spare time in more productive ways and in a safe and non judgemental environment. The Deck has helped many young people deal with the overwhelming issues that today’s youth face and have an exceptional record when in comes to encouraging them to resist the destructive influence of drugs and gangs.

Domestic violence is not something that you just read about in papers or see on the news. It has been blight on society for centuries and no community is immune. Halton Women’s Place provides sanctuary and assistance to women and their children who are desperate for a better life and feel that no one cares and that they have no where to go. There is strength and nobility in a woman who has summoned the courage to do what is best for her and sometimes her children, despite a future that is both frightening as well as uncertain. The Halton Women’s Place is a comfort and reassurance for victims in a very dark time in their life.

So if you know a family that is struggling and their kids don’t have the proper clothing or food to be their best in school, a young person who cant stand another night of listening to parents fight and has to go somewhere that they can feel welcome, or a woman who has reached her breaking point and has decided that she wants her life back, then this is your chance to do something. We can’t solve all the problems of society but where we can make a difference, even a little difference, it may be all the difference in the world to a person who thinks no one cares.

The jumps in Switzerland take place on September 26th. We will be accepting donations through Paypal on this site or by mailing a cheque to our post office box. Donations are being accepted until October 23rd in order to give everyone a chance to be part of this.

If I accomplish my goal that day in Switzerland then return to give three large cheques out to these people, I will call that a good day and the question of why will be answered.

Milestones

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!

The Rock

Great Canadian Bungee is located in Wakefield Quebec. Known as "The Rock" it is the highest commercial bungee jump in North America at 200 feet! Yesterday was the first practice session there for me to get ready for Verzasca.

Arriving by car the night before, I woke to a very cold day and windy. It was - 3 celsius on the tower with high winds. I had to take measures to stay warm and not let the muscles get stiff. There was even light snow at one point.

I had not jumped in 12 years so the purpose of the session was to shake the cobwebs out and get "back in the saddle" as one crew member put it.
Its funny how the nervousness is the same as if doing it for the first time. But at 11:00 am sharp the first jump was done. It was great to get the momentum finally going and move past just talking about doing jumps again. Battling high winds and cold all day, I was able to reach the days goal of getting six jumps done. The crew at GCB are one of the best in the business. They work so hard at making everyone comfortable and let me tell you, its not easy being up on that tower all day in that kind of weather. Many thanks guys!!!

Throughout the day, I sent updates on my Blackberry to everyone on Facebook who were following my progress. You have no idea how encouraging it is to get messages from so many people from as far away as Spain, Columbia, Finland, United States, Iran ( seriously ) and of course, the folks back home. All of them wishing me luck and urging me on. That was incredible and very emotional for me. Thanks guys!

There is a superstition that I had when I did multiple jump days at GCB. Before the first jump, I take a small rock from the base of the tower and I sit it on a rail and leave it there. The point was that I would leave the rock there until all jumps were done. If I dont make all the jumps, the rock goes back on the ground. If I do all the jumps, the rock leaves with me and I write the day's date and the number of jumps on it. I have never put a rock back on the ground and it was very gratifying when I took another one home yesterday. On my last jump, cold and tired, just before takeoff, Rob, from the crew said "come on...gotta get that rock!"

The Journey Continues

Hello all,

I hate the word blog! With the technical marvel that it is...that's the best name they could come up with?

Anyway, The Gravity Gives Project ( GGP ) is 12 weeks old and the momentum is continuing to build. We have almost 500 supporters from around the world on Facebook and the energy is amazing. I have to say that it is very humbling and sometimes overwhelming that so many people are behind this effort and its only May!

This weekend is the first practice session and I will be jumping at Great Canadian Bungee in Wakefield Quebec. My first jump in 12 years. For me its very symbolic in that I am going back to something that I loved. It also brings the project to a new stage. The rhetoric is over and the real show starts. The training is going well and the business side is doing its thing to make this happen.

On that note- it would be the height of rudeness not to express my deepest respect and gratitude to the GGP project managers. Eighteen people behind the scenes, doing their best and giving so much. I can't do this without them and this is very much a team effort. THANK YOU guys!!!

I will make plenty of entries over the coming months. Apparently its good therapy for me as well.

Stay tuned- the ride only gets better

Welcome

Welcome to The Gravity Gives Project