Having thrown myself out of and off enough obstacles I didn't think I'd be nervous about leaping off the Sky Tower. I was wrong.
Throwing myself off any kind of building had never been on my to-do list. I prefer things such as planes or caves. But a spur of the moment decision saw me booking a SkyJump. At first I was quite fine with the idea. Then, after being asked by several different people if I was nervous, then proceeding to tell me how nervous they would be, I grew increasingly concerned.
Of course, I wasn't actually concerned about the whole falling off a building part, it was more if I would have the courage to actually jump off in the first place. In most situations that involve falling or jumping, I prefer to have little choice in the matter. In this situation, it was all up to me.
The morning was crystal clear as I drove along the waterfront toward the Sky Tower. My passenger and 'support' person was concerned about parking. I have realised through this column, the more someone else worries, the less I tend to. Within moments of arriving at the Sky Tower we found a free park for the perfect amount of time we needed.
On went the lace-up shoes went, off came the scarf and jacket. Nervously I found my way, with ease, to the SkyJump reception. I have become used to ticking boxes and signing pieces of paper before throwing myself off things now. Then came the suit and the harness. Deep breaths! It's going to be okay! My heart started racing and my ability to make small talk vanished.
I was far too focused on convincing myself I could indeed step off the platform. Into the lift I went. Suddenly I was heading up, up, up. The window in the elevator didn't really help, the ground just kept getting further away. Out I stepped and made my way to the waiting room. That is a long way down I thought to myself, just low enough I can still see where I am landing, but high enough to cause concern. The person before me jumped. The wire whizzed through the turbine. OK, breathe. I really need to breathe. He could do it. I could.
I was called through, attached to the wall with a long cable, went through the gear check. Thankfully, the guys in charge were rather entertaining, and I soon forgot, almost, I was jumping off the Sky Tower. Pulling multiple poses for the camera, including 'swan' and 'squirrel', laughter meant I had to continue breathing. Attached to another wire now, I stepped out to the platform.
When staring down at a concrete jungle, 192 metres seems much higher than it is. More posing photos, more laughing, more oxygen making its way around my body.
Finally, I walked to the edge.
As I held onto the two bungy cords either side, I was still rather unsure as to whether I would be letting go when they said "go!".
The countdown began. I let go. And just like that I was falling at around 85 km/h toward the ground. There is still something unbelieveably freeing about falling. I know how odd that sounds, but I love it. Wanting to fly as a child has translated into this. The fall was worth the nerves!
As usual I finished the morning off with a big breakfast and a stroll through the city, pondering just how incredible it is to jump off things - especially the Sky Tower.
For anyone who loves adrenaline or falling, this is a must for you.
To find out more go to skywalk.co.nz.