The best way to conquer your fear of bungy jumping is to reframe the fear as excitement, focus on your breathing, and trust the crew and their process. Acknowledge that nerves are normal, and the strength you gain in facing your fears will stay with you long after you’re back on solid ground.
Feeling scared before bungy jumping? You’re not alone. My heart started pounding, and a wave of vertigo crashed over me just at the thought.
Funnily enough, fear of heights is one of the most common phobias in the world. Approximately 2 to 6% of people experience acrophobia (a fear of heights), while a milder form known as visual height intolerance affects up to one-third of the population.
That heart-racing, stomach-flipping sensation you get from just thinking about doing a bungy jump? Totally normal. This is how I overcame it: by taking the leap with the support of the AJ Hackett crew.
Dispelling the Mindset of Fear Pre-bungy
If you’d told me a year ago I’d be doing a bungy jump, I would’ve said, “Erm, no thanks. I prefer my feet firmly on the ground.” But turning thirty brought a shift. I found myself at a transitional point in life, craving challenge and growth. I wanted to push myself to new heights—literally.
But I wasn’t going to go in unprepared.
Preparing for the jump starts with your pre-bungy mindset. If you’re the type who can rock up without a second thought—-amazing. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably spend every minute the night before replaying it in your head… and don’t even get me started on the bus ride there.
The good news is that thoughts are powerful, and you can transform negative, fearful pre-thoughts into positive ones. A tactic that, once mastered, you can carry through to the rest of your life.
Here are some of the tactics that I used:
- Focus on your breath. Slow, deep breaths help calm the body’s stress response.
- Visualise a successful jump and the rush of pride afterward.
- Reframe the fear as excitement; the physical symptoms are nearly identical.
- Chat with the team. They’re experts at guiding people through this.
- Read up on some of the positive after-effects of facing your fears.
- Practice catching, checking, and changing any negative thoughts into positive ones.
- Watch Mission Impossible or your favourite action movie to get in the zone!
Most importantly, take it one step at a time. You don’t need to feel fearless, just brave enough to leap. That’s where the magic happens.
How the AJ Hackett Team Supported My Bungy Jump
Just like that, the day of the jump was upon me, and then the hour, but who’s counting? I definitely was!
I decided to do the scenic 43m Kawarau jump, which was the site of the first-ever bungy jump. As I remembered this, a sigh of relief escaped me. The AJ Hackett team had been helping people conquer these very same fears since 1988. They knew what they were doing.
As I arrived at the check-in, the familiar rush of fear swept over me: heart pounding, knees shaking. But the AJ Hackett crew made all the difference when I walked into the Queenstown Bungy Centre.
After disembarking the bus, the atmosphere was picturesque. As I walked to the jump, I couldn’t help but take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the aquamarine river, even with my heart beating out of my chest.
The crew didn’t laugh at my nerves or try to rush me. Instead, they talked me through every step, explained the gear, and shared stories of others who felt the same way. One stood beside me on the bridge, cracking jokes and reminding me to breathe. They never pressured me. They just kept saying, “You’ve got this. Take your time.”
When I finally edged my toes over the platform, the familiar fear wobbled my legs and sent my heart racing, but something shifted. The crew’s calm energy and confidence rubbed off on me. I took a deep breath and jumped.
If I am being honest, I shut my eyes for the first part of the freefall, but then I opened them, and exhilaration consumed me as I took in the beauty of my surroundings and heard the cheers of the crowd watching from high above.
Pride flooded me as I climbed onto the AJ Hackett retrieval boat, and one of the crew gave me a high five. I did it.
How Bungy Jumping Helped Me Get Over My Fear of Heights
I didn’t completely overcome my fear of heights—it’s still a part of the human instincts I was born with or developed when I was young. But after making the jump and facing this fear head-on, something shifted. The experience has had a lasting impact on my everyday life.
Research shows that confronting fears builds resilience, boosts confidence, and improves mental clarity and decision-making. The strength you find in those few seconds of courage can stay with you long after you’re back on solid ground. My next stop is the 134m Nevis bungy!
I never would’ve done it without the patience and support of that incredible AJ Hackett crew. They didn’t just help me jump; they helped me believe I could.
Don’t let your fear stop you! Book Your Bungy Jump Today.
FAQ’s
What if I’m terrified of heights — can I still bungy jump?
Yes! Many first-time jumpers are afraid of heights. The key is learning how to manage your fear, not eliminate it. With the right mindset and support crew, it’s totally doable.
How do I mentally prepare for my first bungy jump?
Focus on your breathing, visualise a successful jump, and trust the safety process. Fear is normal — bravery is taking the leap anyway.
