Just jump. It's that simple. I made the mistake of losing sleep thinking about my long drop...the 200 foot free fall I was going to make on Saturday with a bunch of boys who were nonchalantly and fearlessly prepared to send themselves hurdling down a canyon. It's called the Canyon Swing - the world's highest swing. On Friday I met up with James and his buddies that he knew from Sydney. Not an hour in Queenstown - the self-proclaimed adventure capitol of the world - and I had signed the waiver and dropped the cash to spend a day jumping off a 350 foot cliff, free falling 200 feet before swinging in a giant pendulum over the shotover canyon.

I figured it be easier than bungy jumping...until I read the details. This swing was nearly as high as the Nevis - the world's highest bungy jump. I was sick looking at the different techniques one can choose to throw themselves into the abyss (yes, there are multiple ways to prove your insanity.)

After taking a bus from town (a bus ride that was much too short) we arrived, soon to be harnessed in, lead to a ledge and set free to jump. The dudes operating this joint were quite the jokesters, much to my distress. I gained some composure when I arrived on the platform to the tune of "Where is the Love?" (that's when I realized I should do as Queenstown says and 'embrace the fear') (p.s. Matt - I was singing "The Road" to get pumped..."Did you see the moonlight flood up the canyon. Everybody really really wants to go. This is where my road begins...") The first leap I took was truly that - a forwards leap, arms wide, down down down. It was a feeling unlike any other - and so were the words that came out of my mouth. Clearly I spoke no English - pure jibberish.
After the first jump, I watched as James and his friend took their leaps backwards in to the canyon. Then came jump number 2. It was an optional jump for a few more dollars - an "opportunity" I guess I wasn't supposed to pass up. The chosen method to go hurtling into the abyss - a lawn chair. They buckled me into your classic lawn chair and all I had to do was lean back until I reached tipping point - at which point I'd be sailing and flipping downwards at 150 k/hr. oyee.
Of course, the jokesters couldn't make it easy for me. Twice they caught my fall as I leaned back into the canyon. So much that by the third time, when I actually went sailing over the edge, I screamed "Why are you doing this to me?!" It was quite the rush...and I admittedly enjoyed their teasing.
I can see how adrenaline junkies get hooked. The three of us wanted to head over to the Nevis and bungy, but our wallets and some sense of reason told us it just wasnt' worth it to drop $400 to jump off cliffs.
James and his buddy made a second jump called "Gimp boy goes to hollywood." They suspend you over the canyon, fix your harness so your hanging upside down...and cut the cord. It was great to watch.