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Bungee-jumping into the record books in Dubai

For most people, bungee jumping once in a lifetime in itself is an exhilarating, life-changing experience. Imagine doing it 200 times in 24 hours.

British national Colin Phillips is planning to do exactly that and take the feeling that comes from an adrenaline rush to another level.

An official Guinness World Record attempt for the most bungee jumps in 24 hours started on Thursday at 7pm at the Porsche Macan 24-bungee event held at the Dubai Autodrome in support of Breast Cancer Arabia.

Colin Phillips in action. — Supplied photo

The jumper is Dubai resident, professional fitness coach and athlete Colin Phillips, who over the last 10 months has been doing 10 to 15 consecutive jumps every weekend in preparation for the official world record attempt. He said: “The moment of weightlessness while free-falling is what gives the ‘highest’ sensation. When you’re descending at a speed of 160km/hour and you feel your heart jump to your mouth, that’s the most euphoric part.”

He said he tried bungee jumping for the first time in the UK 10 years back and has been “addicted to it” ever since. The event is being conducted by Gravity Zone, the only permanent bungee site in the UAE which operates in partnership with the UK Bungee club and adheres to UK standards.

Phillips worked closely with the Gravity Zone ground crew and jump master, learning the business and technicalities of bungee jumping, as well as studying his body and its responses under the conditions. For the event, extra professional manpower from the UK Bungee Club has been brought in as well as multiple crane drivers and a sports therapist.

The current record for most bungee jumps in 24 hours stands at 105 jumps and was achieved by Kevin Scott Huntly of South Africa on May 8, 2011. An official judicator from Guinness World Records is present on site to verify all jumps and ensure adherence to Guinness guidelines.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com