Bungee Jump Contest

Three hundred bungee jumpers from China and several teams from abroad are expected to compete for 18 championships in six categories at the First International Bungee Jump Contest at Shidu (Ten Ferries), Fangshan District from July 12 to 14, 2000.

The contest at Ten Ferries has been planned as an annual event that its organizers hope will help popularize the sport. Ten Ferries has also been selected as an official bungee jumping and mountain climbing training center by the National Sports Bureau which is organizing a bungee jumping association.

Established in 1997, the bungee jumping facility at Ten Ferries was the first in China and is one of the safest in the world. More than 50,000 jumpers have taken thrilling leaps from its platforms without an accident, a world record. Of the 30 bungee jumping facilities in China, there are at least five in Beijing including those at Chaoyang Park, Longtanhu Park, Yanxi Lake and Qinglong Gorge.

Jumpers in the Ten Ferries contest will be judged under a strict set of rules governing each step of the activity. For starters, they will be expected to wave at their audiences and referees before jumping. Four points will be awarded if contestants jump within five seconds of being authorized to jump. Three points will be given for those who pause five to 10 seconds, but two points will be deducted if a contestant body bends while jumping. Points will be added for other specified movements during a jump.

Spectators, including visiting tourists, are welcome to attend the games. Twenty percent discounts will be given for ticket purchases and purchases of other items during the event.