Tarmac-bound At High Speed – Macau Tower Jump
Tarmac-bound At High Speed – Macau Tower Jump
Tarmacbound at high speed by Rosie Ramsden
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AJ Hackett opened the worlds highest sky jump a plunge off the 233m outer rim of the Macau Tower in 2006. You too can jump off the Macau Tower if that is you fancy plunging towards tarmac at a hundred kilometers an hour.
A hybrid of bungee jump and skydiving the sky jump is a controlled aerial journey involving no rebound or hanging upside down which ends with a gentle landing at the base of the tower. The system is regulated by a cable brake and the fall takes 14 seconds. The inaugural jump was completed by Mr. Hackett from New Zealand on 17th December 2006. His career as a skyjump installation tester began on that day and thankfully can continue due to his having got his sums right.
Daredevils are clad in specially tailored suits and connected to three cables so ensuring absolute safety. At approximately 10 metres above the ground the cable drum switches downgear to allow for a soft landing. Unlike a bungee jump Sky Jump is a controlled aerial journey so you wont bounce back and you wont end up upside down. There is also no chance of the cable wrapping itself around your neck as has happened to at least one bungee jumper.
I had a great experience at Macau’s Great Tower and would like to share it with you. When my Dad asked me what I wanted to do on his day off in Macau I said I wanted to see the sights one of which is the Macao Tower. I didn’t know about the jump so you can imagine my surprise when I looked up to see someone plunging earthwards from the top. “Wow? Dad! Thats amazing. I want to have a go” I said tugging at his shirt as I realized what was happening. “I thought you would” he said as he fished for his wallet. A little later as an attendant helped me into a harness and tightened the straps I watched the orange jumpsuits walk around the outside deck as if they were training for a moonwalk. A Chinese man got suited up before me and I watched him enter the crew pit then be guided outside to where the jump gate is located. A crew member grabbed the Big Man a long thick set of cables wrapped together in material and hooked it to a loop on the man’s back. After the checklist he guided the man to the gate.
He told the jumper that at 50 feet he would stop his fall to take a photo and asked that the jumper look back up at him. The man nodded in agreement looking as though he didnt trust himself to speak for fear of emitting an unmacho squeak. The attendant opened the door and led the man to the edge. He didnt hesitate and was gone in seconds. I doubted whether I would be so brave. I felt adrenaline entering my heart as I took a deep breath trying to control the mounting fear of knowing it was my turn. I stepped outside. Out on the deck the crew member said “Don’t worry Losie it’s safe” pronouncing my name in the usual Asian way. Its used to find it sooooo annoying that Asians cant pronounce my name Rosie but I changed my attitude when our Filipina nanny pointed out that I couldnt pronounce her name properly either. He yelled back the checklist and asked me “Are you ready?” But he wasnt really after an answer and so didnt give me time to open my mouth and say:
NO Definitely not Ive changed my mind dont bother about a refund I want to go down the slow way. I mean I cant feel any wings sprouting out of my shoulders so I cant possibly fly right so this is lunacy. I might be a young British female but DO I LOOK LIKE A B***** BIRD ?
He opened the gate and told me to put my hands on the top bar of the railing as the gate swung open in front of me. I did but realized I really had changed my mind and was not going to jump no way Jos. “Look over there Losie look at Hong Kong” the crew member said pointing at where my sister had been born. “Youll be fine. Trust me he assured me. “No. This does not feel right. I do not want to do this” I said standing at the edge with the gate wide open.
The crew member attempted to reassure me closing the gate and talking some calm back into me. I didn’t hear him the only thought filling my mind heightened by the blood throbbing almost audibly in my temples was that jumping off the tower was suicidal. Life suddenly seemed even more precious than previously I was far too young and thought myself much too beautiful to die. Besides Id never had any children never been rockclimbing in Krabi never seen a sunset from Annapurna base camp only seen Boyzone in concert nineteen times.
This felt very different from jumping out of an airplane in Australia. That had seemed only slightly daft as the airoplane was perfectly serviceable and I had no particularly pressing appointments on the ground. The crew member continued to try to reassure me Come on Losie you dont want to come this far and turn back” he said.
Before I could give voice to my objections I heard the sound of cheering and realized that everyone on the top floor had gathered behind us and was cheering me on. “Please don’t do that” I said waving feebly at them while smiling wanly. More afraid of the embarrassment of turning back than of the dangers of proceeding I turned round faced the open expanse and leaned forward. The cable stopped after 50 feet for the attendant to take my photo. “Look at me” he yelled from above as I hung suspended below. “I can’t” I yelled back “My head doesnt turn that far. Its impossible my necks not long enough. Who can do that anyway? I mean how many giraffes do you get jumping off this thing?” The cable was released and I started a pleasurable descent slowing down about 30 feet from the bottom and landing softly on my feet right on target. Dad’s eyes were the first things I saw as I hit the landing pad. He was laughing a somewhat nervous laugh presumably relieved it was all over. I suddenly realized how much he loves me that he was willing to put up with watching me do something that must have scared him witless.
Our driver Andrew greeted me at the exit. “You crazy lady. Your Dad say you no like be high why you jump?” he asked. “Because I wanted to beat the fear” I said. Today the spectators on the top floor had given me the courage to jump by shaming me into banishing the fear. Andrew asked Dad why he didn’t jump too. “I have no desire to do things like that” he replied. “Im old enough not to need to bother with proving things.” What is brave? To jump or not to jump. Which is braver? She who jumps or he who jumps not? AJ Hackett once chided reporters. “You must jump before reporting” he said. So now after having completed the same feat I feel I have earned the right to ask “If you are young do you have what it takes? If not is the only reason that you wouldnt do it that you feel you dont need to bother?
Whilst in Thailand why not visit one of the countrys currently best three beach destinations:
Koh Lao Liang: http://www.andamanadventures.com/kohlaoliang.shtml
Ao Nang: http://www.andamanadventures.com/ao_nang.shtml
Railay/Tonsai: http://www.andamanadventures.com/railaytonsai.shtml
About the writer: Her Dad Simon runs Andaman Sky Co. Ltd specialising in climbing and diving trips to Thailands best beach destinations.
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