RAP JUMPING + Rope rushing
HISTORY
Rope Rushing / Rap Jumping is an extreme form of abseiling. The jumper exits forwards instead of backwards, they are in complete control of their speed of descent, this is backed up by a brakeman for safety, giving greater control allowing fast and accurate jumps. This system was first used by the Australian Army in the 60's named "Karabiner rundown". It was brought to the commercial adrenaline market by Macka Mackail an ex Australian SAS (Special Air Service) Trooper who developed the rundown into a commercial operation and named it Rap Jumping, taken from the French name of "Rappelling".
Commercial operations of Rap
Jumping started in 1989 in Cairns Australia at the Barron Gauge, this is where
Colin Greenwood and Paul "Bud Flynn joined the team. Macka personally trained
Colin and Bud in all aspects of Rope work and other important life matters!
Qualified, they managed there own jump sites under the Rap Jumping banner in
Cairns, Magnetic Island and New Zealand. Teaching well over 12,000 clients. They
also took on Media jumps from high buildings & land marks.
After many glorious years Rap Jumping, Colin & Bud decided it was time to take on new challenges in the Northern Hemisphere and moved back to London, where they organised and developed their own company, "ROPE RUSHING" was born". Based on Macka's principles in S.R.T. (Single Rope Techniques) the Rope Rushers headed to Mallorca Spain, The Mission:..... First commercial jump-site in the Northern Hemisphere (Opened 1996). The Rope Rushers defined their ethics, "to reduce the contact to the cliff or building, giving as much free fall as possible". This allowed the jumpers to experience the same kind of ground rush and adrenaline overload that the trained professionals experience, on each and every jump. This proved to be the way forward in this extreme sport.
There are lots of Climbing and Adrenaline Companies out there selling Rope Rushing / Rap Jumping Tours, all around the world, good luck to everyone of them. But, if you decide to go on one of these tours and they use a double rope system, then I'm sorry but its a poor imitation of the real extreme sport we are trying to protect, don't get me wrong, you will have a great day out, with probably enough adrenaline and banter to last in the pub until 2015 or so.
Colin and Bud are now in the process of trying to get better recognition for this extreme sport, through Gravity Outlaw. Where-ever in the World or what ever its being called, the first Rope Rushing / Rap Jumping congress and competition is being planned. If you are a Jumper, or are interested in Rope Rushing / Rap Jumping then please feel free to join our data base and we will endeavour to keep you in formed about our antics and any events.
Email your details to HQ@gravityoutlaw.com if you enclose some jump photo's I'll post the best in the picture gallery. (x1 pic only & jpeg format).
"May the gods smile on you when jumping & the fines affordable!"
MEDIA.
Australia: Cairns Pacific Hotel, Ambassador Hotel Townsville, Kuranda Falls 1&2 Queensland, Macka's Bluffs Queensland, The Hinge Queensland, Magnetic Island Townsville, Barron Gauge Bridge Queensland, Cairns Play Pen Nite Club. Channel 9 OZ T.V, Japanese T.V, Channel 7 News O.Z.
New Zealand: Westpac Tower Auckland, Noah Hotel Christchurch, Arthur's Point Queenstown, Queenstown Mountain Ski Resort, Skippers Canyon Bridge Queenstown. Channels 1 & 2 News, T.V 3 News, Local Radio, Live National Radio (Westpac Jump)
UK: LWT Building "Don't Try This at Home 1999" London, Rough Guide to OZ BBC2, Herschel Car Park Slough, Avon Gauge Bristol, White Cliffs Dover, 3M Building Bracknell, MizzMagazine Slough, BSH "Back Street Hero's" magazine Slough.
Spain: Calvia Mallorca "commercial Jump Site". Closed. + Numerous un-named Cliffs.
Norway: Bardufoss Bridge, Bardufoss Quarry.
ADVANCED JUMP TRAINING & COACHING / TV SHOWS / FILM STUNTS / ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS / MAGAZINES ARTICLES.
Please feel free to contact us with your requirements. HQ@gravityoutlaw.com