If they can we can.

The inspiration for bungee jumping comes from an ancient ritual practiced on Pentecost Island of Vanuatu in the Pacific. Jumpers (originally only woman, now only men) jump of high platforms with forrest vines tied to their ankles.

In the 1970s a group of thrill seekers attached to Oxford University; the  Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club made a number of experimental jumps.

The Dangerous Sports Club’s efforts inspired New Zealanders AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch and they started to develop new bungy cords with the assistance of scientists from the University of Auckland.

Hackett became the first commercial opperator and promoted the bungy jump (the NZ spelling) by making a number of jumps in Europe in the 1980s including a Jump in the Eiffel tower (for which he got arrested).

Since then millions around the world experiences the thrill rushing towards the ground at free fall speeds.

w_0002
Bungy in Taupo

(#84 of 100)

Dangerous business

The joust is one of several sports with its origins in warfare.

The sport was practiced by nobles in England and Germany throughout the 16th century but abolished in France after the death of king Henry II of France in 1559.

Henry II received a mortal wound from the shard of a lance during a Jousting tournament and died soon after.

Ironically it was a tournament to celebrate the peace agreement with Philip II of Spain and from the lance of the captain of his personal body guard.

IMG_5359
Lance flexes under impact force.

 

IMG_5360
Post impact.

(#40 of 100)

Deadliest of the Big Five, the smallest Herbivore.

The Cape Buffalo, (Syncerus caffer) now has the distinction of killing more hunters than any other member of the big five (the five animals most dangerous to hunt on African safari).

No doubt economics (hunting package price) and relative numbers contribute significantly to this position.

The other members of the big five family:

  • Elephant
  • Black Rhinoceros
  • Lion
  • Leopard
201101-001-590-CR2_PAWW-DC-ZZ000-P
Cape Buffalo, (Syncerus caffer) in Addo Elephant Park.

(#29 of 100)

Got a Horse; you’ll need a Horse!

Jousting,  specifically ring jousting – a form of mounted skill at arms – became the official sport of the state of Maryland, USA in 1962.

Maryland was the first state to adopt an official sport.

IMG_9510
Skill at Arms; Harcourt Park World Invitational Jousting Tournament, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.

 

IMG_9514
Skill at Arms; Harcourt Park World Invitational Jousting Tournament, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.

 

(#10 of 100)