You’re standing on a raised platform at a dizzying height above the ground. A North Sea breeze caresses your face, a seagull soars through the air a short distance away. The drumming of your heartbeat in your ears almost blocks out the sound of a gate opening in front of you, but you know what you have to do. Gathering every ounce of courage that you possess, you take a step forward into nothing, which quickly transforms into a freefall. And yet, somehow, 5 minutes later, you’re being slapped on the back by your friends, maybe someone kisses you on the cheek, and they're calling you a hero. Ask yourself two questions: how and why? Well the how is all down to the bungee cord that you had fastened to your waist and ankles. The why is a bit more difficult to explain to people who’ve never completed a bungee jump before, but don’t worry - if you’re in the region of Newcastle in northeast England, you can organise a bungee jumping event for your friends, family or organisation to get involved in this most extreme of extreme sports.

There must be something about this sport that has allowed it to develop from a niche, high-risk activity for daredevils, to a global phenomenon with established practices and regulations to ensure that it’s completed safely. Regular jumpers will tell you that it makes them feel more alive than any other activity, and they might be onto something. Jumping from a height activates your brain’s emergency response system, which pumps adrenaline into your bloodstream to prepare your muscles for intense activity. This gives you an adrenaline rush on a massive scale, which, combined with the feeling of relief that comes when the bungee cord breaks your fall, burns the experience into your memory. That’s why you should make it happen in Newcastle sooner rather than later, and enjoy the memories of it for the rest of your life.

Where to do bungee jumping in Newcastle?

Providers operate a mobile drop zone, setting up at different locations in and around the city, including the site of your event. Their most striking piece of kit is a huge crane which can lift a jump platform to 175 feet, that’s more than 50 metres, above the ground. They offer a number of different types of jump which they’ve categorised into 3 levels, from the simply extreme, to the absolutely mad, far out, super extreme.

Kind of jumps available

• Level 1: Though these are the most standard jumps, they still involve taking a leap of faith into mid air! This level includes the Swan Dive, where you fall forwards with arms spread in a swooping descent which allows the cord to extend nice and smoothly, and the Backwards jump, which, as you’ve probably guessed, means stepping backwards off the platform. Both of these are individual jumps, but it’s also possible to complete a Tandem Jump. This is the best way to share the experience with your closest friend - or worst enemy - because you’ll be strapped together and connected to the same cord. The extra weight means that you’ll experience faster freefall and bigger bounces at the end of the line.

• Level 2: The jumps in level two can spice up the experience, perfect if you’ve completed a jump before or if you want to give yourself a bigger challenge. We don’t know why you’d choose a Blindfold Jump, but some people find the thrill of falling without seeing where they’re going to be worth the fear. A real stunt at the second level is an elevator jump, in which you put on the harness then lower yourself off the jump platform until you're hanging in mid air holding onto the platform. When you drop, you flip over at the bottom so that your head is below your feet - not for the faint of heart!

• Level 3: For true daredevils and real show offs, these are the top tier aerial adventures. If you’re a board master on the snow or the waves, why not try surfing the air? You can perform tricks and flips while bouncing on the cord with a Snowboard Jump, which will leave everyone with no doubts about your skill and bravery. Or take it to the max by going for a Somersault Jump - flipping off the platform at the start of your jump. A word of warning - these stunts are for those who know what they’re doing, and aren’t a good choice if this is your first time.

Requirements to do this activity

Is usually associated with adrenaline junkies but you might be surprised who takes the opportunity to have this experience when the opportunity comes up. That’s why organising a bungee jump drop zone for your event in Newcastle is a great idea. Everyone has the chance to get the rush of jumping, see their friends and families carry out unbelievable stunts, and it can be a great way to raise funds for a good cause. The providers have worked with all kinds of groups, from private events to university RAG (Raising and Giving) societies.

Willingness aside, there are a couple of restrictions in place to make sure that the activity can be carried out safely. The expert team won’t let you jump if you’re under 14 years of age, and you need your parents’ permission up to the age of 16. For daredevils over 50 years old, a doctor’s note is required for insurance purposes. There are also weight restrictions, as the harnesses, bungee cords and connecting apparatus have specific capacities that can’t be exceeded. If you weigh less than 120 kilograms, that’s just under 19 stone, you’re good to go. And finally, you need to be able to put on a harness. The available equipment fit people with waist sizes between 40 and 125cm, that’s 15.7 to 49.2 inches.

Do you have what it takes? There’s only one way to find out! Makeyour adventure happen today.