Bungee jumping and other extreme sports like sky diving and parasailing seem to be popular activities people have on their bucket list of things to do before they die. Earlier this year, I'm proud to say that I finally checked bungee jumping as my boyfriend and I decided to do it for the first time in Chiang Mai!
Signing up for bungee jumping for first-timers can be pretty scary, but trust me when I say it won't feel so bad once you've done it.
Nonetheless, I'd highly recommend preparing yourself mentally and physically when you decide to tick off bungee jumping from your bucket list. And that's why I came up with these bungee jumping tips for first timers!
So, what do you need to prepare before your first-time bungee jumping? Let's dive in!
I'm not the first person that comes to mind when looking for tips to do some adrenaline activities for thrillseekers, but I can prove that if my boyfriend and I could make it in one piece after bungee jumping for the first time, you can do it too.
Keep in mind that we're both more like two indoor cats and we only do outdoor activities once in a blue moon. Even worse, because my boyfriend is also afraid of heights so bungee jumping is definitely not something you'll directly associate with us.
He got nervous when he had to walk through the suspension bridge in Rengganis Crater in Bandung, but guess what? For some reason, he was super thrilled when he did bungee jumping for the first time!
So based on our personal experience, here are some tips we learned based on our first time bungee jumping!
Source: Freepik.
1. Check with your insurance to make sure they cover extreme sports in their package
As fun as bungee jumping is, it's always wise to protect yourself with travel insurance that covers all activities you plan for your holiday. Unfortunately, most travel insurance companies usually exclude extreme sports like bungee jumping or diving in their policy.
It's worth checking with your insurance to include these activities for your protection. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry so you may need to buy some add-ons to ensure you'll get covered in case anything goes wrong.
The good news is that SafetyWing now has Nomad Insurance 2.0, which allows you to add extra protection to your travel insurance. In addition to the nomad insurance, you can opt for additional adventure sports coverage before booking your bungee jumping session.
Unfortunately, the product is currently not available for US residents, so you may need to wait a while to be eligible for this SafetyWing product if you're an American living in the States.
2. Choose a reputable operator
When it comes to bungee jumping, I'm not joking when I say it's between life and death. After all, your body will be thrown upside down from at least 50 meters, relying solely on a rope tied around your feet. You don't have to fear heights to know that a little mishap there may end your life in a split second!
Choosing a reputable operator with good reviews is one way to ensure safety when you go bungee jumping.
I know some people could be pretty cynical about extreme sports safety in destinations outside the “white” continent like Australia or Europe, but my boyfriend and I managed to do our first time bungee jumping in Thailand and we had a blast!
I can assure you that choosing a reputable bungee jumping is more important than choosing the destination, especially since doing it in places like New Zealand or Europe can be super expensive.
My boyfriend and I chose X-Centre in Chiang Mai as our bungee jumping operator for several reasons. We booked our session through Klook, and we saw a lot of good reviews there, as they got 4.9 out of 5 in their rating on the platform.
And when we checked their website, we were sure to book it at X-Centre for many reasons. Not only are they under New Zealand management with the founder who's certified as the Jump Master with decades of experience developing bungee jumping operations around the world, they also state that their staff is trained with high safety standards regarding the first-aid!
3. Check if they provide lockers to secure your belongings
It's especially important if you plan bungee jumping as a solo traveler. When you go up there, you'll have to leave all your belongings, including valuable items if you have them.
It won't be an issue if you're traveling with your partner, but I know how stressful it can be when thinking about leaving your belongings unattended when you travel alone.
Most places for bungee jumping provide bag storage for their customers, but it won't hurt to double-check with them before booking for your peace of mind.
4. Be sure that your weight meets the minimum standard for bungee jumping
I'm not trying to body shame, but keep in mind that there's a minimum weight for bungee jumping. Typically, you should be at least 45 kilograms to be eligible for bungee jumping sessions.
Expect the staff to assess your body weight before your turn to ensure it complies with the minimum standard. So, instead of getting offended that your jump master wants to measure your weight, be grateful that they do because it means they prioritize safety more than anything else!
Also, some companies have a non-refundable policy if you book your bungee jumping session in advance. The last thing you want to do is not get a refund when you find out your weight doesn't meet their standard!
5. Dress appropriately
For the obvious reason, I wore shorts and a t-shirt when I did bungee jumping for the first time.
While technically I dressed appropriately for this type of occasion, I still came down with my bare tummy with my bra all over the place after my turn for bungee jumping.
It may not be an issue for some people. However, if the thought of it bothers you, I'd suggest wearing clothes like jumpsuits or overalls to get you all covered.
6. Skip meals before you jump
The chance of motion sickness is never zero when your body gets thrown from 50 meters. To avoid that, we skipped breakfast when leaving Khum Phucome Hotel to go to X-Centre in Chiang Mai at 8 AM.
It was a good decision since not only could we do our jump when no one else was around, but we also got hungry with excitement after our jump!
7. Trust your jump instructors
Bungee jumping isn't for the faint of heart, and it's certainly not suitable for those with trust issues. When you choose a reputable company to do your first-time bungee jumping, your jump instructors must pass a long training process to get there with you with all the instructions.
I figured my jump instructor succeeded in lightening my mood when I got so nervous before my jump with his top-notch sense of humor.
He kept telling me there was no going back once the crane went up, and the only choice I had was to jump down for my dear life. I told him that I was just too nervous that I might like the experience and want to do it again, and he said, “You can get one more session for free if you succeed. But then we won't use rope next time.” LOL
I'm pretty sure they're also trained to handle nervous people of all kinds, and I'm just glad that my jump master understood me enough to get rid of my nerves with his jokes!
8. Double-check all the equipment before you jump
First time bungee jumping in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The only equipment used when I did my first bungee jump was the harness that tied around my feet with the rope, and I just had to make sure that it was tight. In fact, it was so tight to the point that it hurt my feet after the jump.
But yes, given how bungee jumping works, you want the harness to be tight to secure your body when you jump. But nothing prepared me for how uncomfortable it was when my body hung around before going down after the jump.
Honestly, it was so comfortable that I could deal with the height and even enjoy the Chiang Mai scenery in my surroundings a little bit longer, but I just wanted to go down as soon as possible since my feet hurt because of the harness.
9. Stay calm and focused
You can do whatever you put your mind to, so stay calm and focused to make sure you can jump with excitement, enjoy the scenic view in your surroundings, and go down safely.
Take a deep breath before making your first jump, look straight and follow your jump master's accordingly. When I did it, my jump master told me to look at the mountain and open my arms.
The technique may differ depending on where you do your first bungee jumping, but finding a way to stay calm and focused will tremendously help you succeed in bungee jumping and everything else!
Our certificate of courage from X-Centre Chiang Mai, Thailand.
FAQs About Bungee Jumping Tips for First Timers
As usual, I'm going to list some frequently asked questions about bungee jumping that may help you decide whether you should book your first-time bungee jumping experience. So, here we go!
Who should not do bungee jumping?
When you decide to bungee jump for the first time, you must be physically and mentally ready to fight the adrenaline rush. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, it's crucial to consult with your GP to ensure you can do bungee jumping with your health status.
Typically, people with certain medical conditions shouldn't do bungee jumping, including:
Heart problems
High blood pressure
Epilepsy
Overweight
Expecting mothers
Where is the best place for bungee jumping?
First bungee jumping in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
You may know New Zealand as the home of bungee jumping, and it's for a good reason!
The first commercial bungee jumping started in New Zealand when a Kiwi adventurer, AJ Hackett, opened the first bungy site in the country at Kawarau Bridge in South Island circa the 1980s. Even now, New Zealand is still considered the best place for bungee jumping.
Only around 90 minutes from Christchurch, you can book Hanmer Spring Bungy Jump is also another option if you plan to go bungee jumping on the southern island of New Zealand. If you plan to travel to the north island, you can also do it in Ngongotahā Valley for bungee jumping in Rotorua.
Asia may not be a popular destination for bungee jumping, but Chiang Mai has a lot of affordable bungee jumping options like the one I did at X-Centre. If you're looking for an urban bungee jumping experience, the Macau Tower also offers a unique opportunity to jump from 200 meters high with stunning city views around Macau.
South Africa also has one of the best bungee jumping sites in the country at Tsitsikamma. Nestled between the country's most beautiful national parks, it's considered one of the world's highest jump with the fantastic surroundings with Bloukrans Bridge.
You'll be surprised to find out that the bungee jumping death statistics are actually pretty low. Based on the American Council on Science and Health report, the chance of death from bungee jumping is around 1:500,000, which makes it far safer than canoeing or diving.
However, it's also important to take precautions since the low death rate doesn't mean you'll be 100% safe since accidents happen anytime.
That's why I highly recommend you do your research to ensure you choose a reputable company for your first bungee jump, and don't forget to purchase add-ons on your travel insurance when necessary for extra protection.
Conclusion
Bungee jumping is something you'll get nervous about doing; but once you get it done, you'll just be glad you got the opportunity to do it for the first time.
Unlike hiking or climbing mountains, where you'll be required to put some extra effort into learning survival skills and adjusting to the altitude, you can book your bungee jumping session right now and be sure that you're 100% healthy to do it and ready to follow the instructions accordingly.
I know these bungee jumping tips work for first timers, as my boyfriend and I managed to wing it on the first try. In fact, if we get a chance to do it again, we will!
So, what stops you from trying bungee jump for the first time? Do you have any extra tips to add for first-time bungee jumpers? Share in the comment below, and cheerio! 😉
Marya The BeauTraveler
I am the founder and main editor at The BeauTraveler. I spent 4 years working in the aviation industry but ironically got to travel more right after quitting the industry in 2015. Born and raised in Indonesia, I started working remotely in 2017, and while I stay at home most of the time, I also regularly spend 2-3 months living a semi-digital nomad life elsewhere every year.
My boyfriend is also afraid of heights, but he said bungee jumping was surprisingly better than having to walk through a suspension bridge across the cliff since it only took a few minutes. 😀
I tried paragliding last year and it was scary but awesome. Not sure that I could do the bungee jumping though.
I am afraid of heights so I would never be able to do this jump! But it is great that you can share the experience through your blog!
My boyfriend is also afraid of heights, but he said bungee jumping was surprisingly better than having to walk through a suspension bridge across the cliff since it only took a few minutes. 😀