| A Description of the Ride |
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| The best way to describe a ride on a bungy trampoline is to imagine a cross between gymnastics, bungy jumping and trampolining. To begin, the jumper is assisted onto the trampoline by a trained staff member and fitted with a specially designed harness. The harness is attached to elastics (or bungy cords) that retract up and down with the use of ropes running through a pulley system (the system is manually operated - a tiny electric winch pulls the ropes in and out via a hand held control). The bungy cords are then tightened so that the jumper becomes suspended mid-air above the trampoline, allowing them to start jumping. With each successive jump, the kinetic energy in the downward jump is converted into upwardly propelling force, magnifying the jumping power three or fourfold. The jumper, in effect, defies gravity and the increased "air-time" allows them to gain incredible height while performing forward and backward flips in complete safety. Previously, this could only be achieved after years of training on a regular trampoline. It's spectacular to watch and even more spectacular to do - the experience is said to be similar to flying on a hire-wire in the circus. The ride generally lasts for between five and seven minutes. Cost is usually set at $10 per person per ride. Staff monitors the jumper for the duration of the ride, customising and adjusting the height of the bungy cords according to weight and level of ability. This allows children from as young as three to enjoy the same feeling of weightlessness as teenagers or even adults. Once their time is up, the jumper is lowered back down onto the trampoline by a staff member (via hand held control), the harness is removed and they are assisted off the trampoline, ready for the next brave participant! |
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