Adrenalin Fever

Heather Kirkby
Jun 13
3 min read

All adrenalin itches were scratched in Taupo. Yes, we know the Adrenalin Capital of the World is on the South Island … but we did it all on the north island :) The bottom line is that moods and weather were better aligned for us up here!! Justin and I went sky diving. Will and I went bungy jumping and did a swing. I had plans of doing none of these things when we left home nor when we arrived in New Zealand. Life is funny like that.

In my 20s and 30s I assumed at some point in my life I would skydive. I liked challenges. I liked adrenaline activities. I liked proving myself. I was too cheap in my 20s. Too busy in my 30s. By the time my 40s rolled around it felt less important. Less to prove. No need. Moving on. But somewhere deep inside an ounce of desire was left behind. Clearly coming to New Zealand re-lit the spark. Once I said it out loud, Justin expressed interest, and that was it. It had to happen.

We jumped at sunset. We went up to 16,500 feet and our free fall was over 70 seconds. That’s over 2 miles of free fall. Surreal. I found the whole thing oddly very zen and, as hoped, very cool. I really loved it. The ride up on the plane took 15ish minutes and it was a lovely time just to settle into the experience. I was so focused on slow deliberate breathing that I could feel my entire system calm way down. It was quiet. The views were amazing. Leaving the plane happened both slow and fast. Slow because I knew each step and none of it felt rushed. Fast because you go instantaneously from sitting still in a plane to freefalling. I loved not having to do anything except tuck my head up and tuck my legs in. The tandem guy did everything else. It was a very physical experience. Super intense to be hurtling through the air at terminal velocity. See my smushed face in the middle photo below. Your skin is rippling on your face. I think it’s so foreign that your brain has to catch up to what’s happening. You’re so far from the ground that it doesn’t really serve as a reference for speed. The freefall was over a minute, so you could really settle into it and live with it. Then whoop!!! The parachute is activated and you suddenly lose all that speed. My guy whipped the parachute around a few times on the way down which gave way to roller-coaster-like sensations. The landing was so pro, smooth like butter. Turns out my guy is the CEO of New Zealand’s Parachute Industry Association and an examiner for tandem jump professionals. He’s been skydiving professionally for 30 years. No kidding!! I figured I’d be in good hands doing this in New Zealand.

The next day Will and I walked over to the river near our campground for bungy jumping and swing. We did the swing first. It was surprisingly exhilarating in one wild-take-your-breath-away kind of drop. I have always loved swinging at playgrounds. I especially looooved swinging at big giant swings suspended in massive trees at the Christmas Tree Farm south of Pescadero in CA. There is something about the sensation that feels amazing to me. This was swinging on steroids. The operator was a bit cheeky saying “do you want me to count you down or surprise you?” as he released me!! Great thrill!! Felt like a huge drop!! Pure fun!!

Bungy is scarier than skydiving, to me at least. You have to willfully step off the platform. You are already close-ish to the ground so your brain is very aware of what you are doing. I was so focused on the logistics that I forgot to focus on the breathing, my superpower. You feel more alone because you are. With skydiving, having that tandem guy strapped to me made everything feel so wildly secure. Bungy is also so short that the falling never becomes normalized. It’s kind of an insane feeling. So proud of Will for taking the leap!! So glad all the itches were scratched.

Photos of Will doing the swing and bungy: