The Original Bungee on Pentecost

Here's a little known fact for everyone. Many years ago when the fledgling sport of bungee jumping was just starting to take off in the UK, Diane (then in her early 20's) bought the franchise to run her own bungee company in the South West of England. So with nothing more that her brains and a desire to jump off things with elastic bands on her legs she set up shop in Bristol. Another little known fact is that both her dad and sister have done bungee jumps too (mad family!) After a couple of years she then sold up and moved onto a far more exciting life in the financial sector!? What did I get that the right way round :) Anyway, Diane has wanted to see the real bungee jumpers ever since. The guys who were doing it long before the Oxford Uni Dangerous sports club ever heard of it. The famous Land Divers of Pentecost.

I'm showing my age here a bit but I first saw this performed on Wickers World, probably in the 70s.

The pictures speak for themselves. A tower is constructed from wood, bamboo and twine. The jumpers start from the bottom and work their way up. The final diver going from the pinnacle. Each jump is proceeded by dancing and chanting, it's really exciting. Diane was loving it, but I couldn't coax her up there for old times sake :)


Before leaping, the divers spread their arms wide building up the excitement with the crowd and then they're off. I have to say its unbelievable. Just the most bizarre thing I've ever seen. Look at the video at the bottom of the page.... mental :)

View from our seat flying back to Port Vila from Pentecost (you can see Diane's flip flop). No pre-flight check niceties here. Just sit down, strap in and hold on.