Bridge Jump News. May 2002.On the 5th May 2002 Ian Chestnutt and I went to the Westward end of the Foyle Bridge in Derry to assess its potential for a bridge jump. For those unfamiliar with the concept, here is a brief description. A rope is attached to one side of a high bridge and pulled under the width so that it forms a loop beneath the bridge. A person then ties himself to the end of the rope and leaps off the bridge. He pendulums out in a beautiful arc and (when he stops swinging) lowers himself to terra firma by means of a second rope or some other artifice. [For him please read him/her, for he read he/she and for his read his/her] The clever thing is: the rope is taut when the jumper makes his leap, so there is no shockload and hence no danger - it's all in the mind. The only proviso being that the height of the bridge is sufficient to accommodate the length of rope necessary to reach from one side to the other (if I'm not making this clear, then use your imagination). Well, the bad news (and it could be good news for those who have peered vertiginously over the edge) is that Derry's Foyle Bridge lacks height at its supraterrestrial western end. This means that a jump over land is not possible - the bridge being 25m wide and requiring a loop of rope 30m long to get around the large box girders (thoughtlessly put there by civil engineers). The good news, though, is that all bets have not been cancelled yet. The central span is high enough and has the added safety (as if any was required) of being supra-marine (I can make up words if I want to). There is the problem of exit methods - a choice between a long jumar to the parapet, or a lower-off to a boat that may or may not be available. The fast estuarial tides add another factor to be considered. In summary, Ian and I agreed that an early morning jump by one person could be implemented safely in daylight before the PSNI arrive to apprehend those involved. Exit would probably be achieved most safely and quickly by a jumar ascent. A number of back-up ropes will prevent inadvertent wettings. If no police attention is forthcoming then subsequent jumps should be attempted. Film and photos should then be sent to all the local TV and newspaper companies and fame will be assured. End of report. |