The Hula-Hoop and the yo-yo were considered fads, but they weathered time to become permanent fixtures in American lives. Two Utah companies are hoping bungee jumping can do the same.
Bungee Utah opened the first bungee tower in Salt Lake County May 22 at Raging Waters. President Brad Snow said that while the opening went well he expects business to pick up as the weather gets warmer.Free Spirit Recreation opened their tower at the 49th Street Galleria May 28. Ron Anderson, vice president, hopes to attract some of the Galleria's crowd to his tower.
Bungee jumping found its way to Utah by way of Logan. The Sports Tower in Logan was the only place in Utah to jump, before this month. Snow's tower is manufactured by the Park City
company that created the Logan tower.
What's the attraction to bungee jumping? "It defies man's nature," Anderson said. "It's the adrenaline that pumps when you have to make yourself jump."
That thrill is what draws spectators from the ground to the top of a 75-foot tower. Once they get there, they get lots of encouragement to jump - but no one is forced to do so.
"It's interesting to see some of the people who jump," said Snow. "Some are so timid and quiet before and then (after the jump) fists are being thrown in the air and they're screaming and yelling." Then, said Snow, they say they'll be back.
Both Anderson and Snow admit bungee jumping is a craze that's hot at the moment but could cool in the future. But both have plans for their towers to last beyond the craze.
"We're at the peak of a craze for bungee jumping right now, (and it) could go on for a couple more years, " said Snow.
Will Salt Lake County be the home of more bungee towers? Not likely, said Snow. "I don't think the county can really handle another one."
"We can afford to have it last past the craze. Where we're located, our volume can go down a little bit, and we can still run a good business," Snow said. "It's a good alternative for a lot of people to get a high. You're still getting even a greater high and it's clean and it's healthy."
"It's definitely not going to be as hot next year as it is this year," said Anderson. After the thrill of defying death wears off, Anderson said, the amusement part will kick in. That and some creative uses for the tower will sustain his business.
Snow's tower at Raging Waters is open Sunday through Thursday from noon to dusk and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to dusk. The 75-foot tower won't be open on Mondays unless it's a holiday - for example, Memorial Day.
Anderson said his 80-foot tower will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, except Friday from noon to 10 p.m. It will be open on the weekend from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Jumps at both towers will cost $25 for the first jump and $15 for any jump after that. Both towers are planning to offer specials in conjunction with the parks at each location.
If safety is a concern as you teeter on the edge of the tower, it might make you feel better to know there are 10-foot high air bags under the tower at Raging Waters and also at Galleria. The tower at Galleria also has a safety net which covers what Anderson called "the swing area."
*****
(Additional information)
Where to jump
Bungee Utah, a 75-foot tower at Raging Waters, 1200 W. 1700 South, Salt Lake City. Open Sunday to Thursday from noon to dusk. Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to dusk. First jump $25. Any jumps after that are $15.
Free Spirit Recreation, an 80-foot tower at 49th Street Galleria, 4998 S. 360 West, Murray. Open weekdays from 4 to 10 p.m. and weekends, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. First jump $25 and $15 for any jumps after that.
The Sports Tower, a 70-foot tower in Logan. Call 752-4919.