7/30/2009 | Pride Park
Hercules jumps
Text: Zarah C, Photo: Lars B
Hercules braces himself. In just a few moments it is his turn to dive through the sky, in his first bungy jump ever, from 85 metres.
We find Peak Experience in the centre of Pride Park. They offer visitors to try bungy jumping. Today, Hercules has decided that he will challenge himself by bungy jumping and thereby at last realize something he has wanted to do for a long time. He pays and empties his pockets. He seems slightly nervous.
How does it feel, moments before you will be attached to the harness?
- It feels really weird! Hercules laughs nervously.
He is attached to the harness and taken up in the sky lift. Other visitors gather and watch a nervous Hercules, about to take a step over the edge of the bucket. People are full of expectation: will he dare to make the jump? A small shape peers over the side of the bucket. A number of times he looks as if he is about to jump.
After a while, Hercules get his courage up, makes the cross sign and jumps, his scream echoing in the park. On his way down he lets out a shout of joy, smiling from ear to ear, before the recoil snaps him back up in the air. The audience cheers and gives an enthusiastic applause.
Back on the ground, Hercules lies on the ground while the harness is unattached, and is gratulated by the audience that has witnessed his first-ever bungee jump.
How does it feel now that you've finally jumped?
- I was so scared! Honestly, I thought I'd die! First I didn't want to jump, but then I thought: What the hell!
Would you do it again?
- Yes, but not today, Hercules laughs covering his face in his hands.