If I shut my eyes the beat did become a hypnotic, but I wasn’t going to “express” myself for anybody.
This was a birthday present. I had asked for an experience I would not normally choose, and my wife had presented me with Wild Dance Events’ brochure and suggested “Vision & Regeneration in Winter’s Tale”, at the Globe Theatre This was described as “a weekend of mytho-drama”. It was a backwards jump into the unknown, but for Jonathan Stebbings a weekend `mytho-drama’ event was both rewarding and liberating. Within half an hour of starting the Wild Dance weekend I felt way out of my depth. I found myself shifting from one foot to the other as the rest of the group (an intriguing mix of ages, genders and lifestyles) thrashed, rolled, cried and cursed to a tribal rhythm thumped out on a massive drum. People looking for an additional thrill can also try catapulting – reverse bungee – which is exactly as it sounds.. The only special requirements for the jumper, beyond basic good health, are to empty pockets of loose change and to wear clothing that’s tight enough not to come straight off over your head.

Jumps have also been made from balloons, helicopters, cable cars and dams.Safety records of reputable companies are impressive. Summer is the main season, though weekend jumps continue throughout the year.Most UK jumping is from cranes, though the first jump was made from Clifton Suspension Bridge, in 1979. Some aficionados claim that jumping in impressive gorges such as New Zealand’s Skipper’s Canyon adds something to the experience, but a crane probably gives the most extreme sensation of exposure and height. Approximately one-third of their customers jump for charity, one third as a challenge (in some cases having been given “gift” jumps – it’s more exciting than a book token) They categorise the final third as adrenaline junkies. You don’t have to pull the parachute rip cord, fly the hang-glider, dive deeper or in any way influence the outcome: a sack of potatoes can bungee-jump.

If one thing is certain about bungee, whatever anyone tries to tell you, coming to a sticky end is not on the agenda.Taking the plungeThe British Elastic Rope Sports Association, Bersa (01865 311 179), promotes bungee-jumping in the UK and ensures affiliated clubs operate within their strict code of practice; call for details of your nearest Bersa affiliated jump site.The UK Bungee Club (0171-720 9496) has mobile rigs that operate all over the country, as well as the permanent site at Chelsea Bridge Since 1992 more than 100,000 people have jumped with them The first jump costs pounds 50, subsequent jumps pounds 35. But for the majority, that’s it: they did it because it was there. Without any skills to learn or progress to make, why do it again? It’s the ultimate fairground ride, though maybe safer, but wouldn’t driving the roller- coaster be even better than taking a scary ride?The minimal danger (when jumping with a reputable operator) and zero qualifications required are both the best and the worst of bungee. Many people immediately want to jump again, and some come back to become serial jumpers, trying every trick imaginable, from acrobatic stunts to blindfold, fear-enhancing techniques. Don’t look down, don’t look anywhere; don’t think, don’t breathe Just 5-4-3-2-1-bungee. The first, fastest, highest drop is almost instantly over, moments of hollow free fall leaving you a few feet from the ground, pumping with adrenaline and gasping at the recognition that you’re still alive. Now the real terror begins, as the elastic pulls you inexorably up, suspended in time and space, to hang once more, high in the sky, before plunging back towards earth.

Finally your diminishing bounces subside to leave you helplessly dangling on the end of the rope and you’re lowered down to exchange endless grins and even transatlantic whoops with other jumpers – a mixture of relief and something more powerful that could have you feeling good for days.It’s a fantastic sensation. The reality, once you’ve been weighed, joined the queue, stepped into the cage – is that you’ve come all this way, paid your money – and lots of people are watching You’ve got to jump.And you do. While waiting for the long crane ride, any number of plausible arguments go from your spinning head to your churning stomach, not least that there’s no sane, sensible reason for going ahead. You’ve got more important things to worry about, such as sheer terror.Though more scientific than vine-jumping, bungee also has ritual elements. Being weighed, going through the “no back problems? no heart complaints?” routine is for real, but in the true spirit of the circus, every last ounce of atmosphere and buzz is wrung from the procedure, just in case you might start to feel, despite your nerves, that your money could have been better spent.But that’s cold feet for you.