Whether it’s whizzing through the air or dashing across the water, these outdoor activities, close to the urban hub will sure get your adrenalin pumping.
Fly above the Mother City | CAPE TOWN
There aren’t too many cities in the world where you can literally launch from a mountain and glide silently above the high-rise apartment blocks, picking out favourite landmarks while watching ant-size humans down below as the ocean spreads out in front of you. Cape Town is such a place, and the most strategic jump-off point is Signal Hill – a period of floating and flying above Green Point follows, before landing on the grass adjacent Sea Point’s Promenade. Barry Pedersen of Birdmen Paragliding is among the country’s most experienced tandem pilots. Why not join him?
082 658 6710
birdmen.co.za
Lose your mind high up in the clouds | CAPE TOWN
What goes up must come down. But first – in order to reach this bloodcurdling ride at the top of the already very tall Hotel Sky in Cape Town – you get views that will knock your socks off, and blow your mind. Then, once you’re strapped into your seat on the SKY-Hi Ride, a heart-pounding soundtrack kicks in as you gently crawl up, up, and up. From there you plummet straight down, rushing earthwards for 35 metres with such sensational force and unexpected speed (up to 100 km/h) that you barely have the wherewithal to scream. The surge of adrenaline is not for the faint of heart but you will feel its power for a long time after.
sky-hiride.capetown
Bungee jump from a bridge | GARDEN ROUTE
At over 200 m, it’s one of the world’s highest commercial bungee jumps. Just half an hour from Plettenberg Bay, it’s a genuine heart-stopper that’s known for making grown men go weak at the knees and best enjoyed while screaming all the way to the bottom. By using pendulum bungee technology, its developers have ensured that you have the most comfortable experience possible when taking the plunge – and even if the dizzying height terrifies you, at least there are gorgeous views ofthe Bloukrans River below. Jumpers will be safely protected by a full-body harness and an ankle connection. If you’re not convinced, though, there is a bridge walk – aka Sky-Walk – affording a scenic panorama of the Bloukrans River Valley. Still having none of it? You can always buy the T-shirt and watch from the sidelines.
042 281 1458
faceadrenalin.com
Go off on a marine adventure | GQEBERHA
For a conservation-minded sea-going adventure, set off with boating outfit Raggy Charters and explore St Croix Island marine reserve where a large colony of endangered African penguins breed. Between June and early January, humpback whales – which mate and calve in Algoa Bay – can be spotted, and the boat trips will likely include sightings of all sorts
of sea creatures, from dolphins, Cape gannets and terns to albatrosses, shearwaters and skuas. They also offer shark-cage diving and deep-sea fishing excursions.
073 152 2277
raggycharters.co.za
Walk on water | DURBAN
Learn to surf on the KZN North Coast – where the water is always warm and the people are pretty warm, too. Ballito Surf School offers group and private lessons to just about anyone – from absolute beginners to intermediate-level surfers, too. Anyone from the age of eight and up can do it, as long as you’re a capable swimmer. Their hour-long lessons happen at either of two main beaches: Willard Beach in Ballito or Tiffany’s Beach in Salt Rock. Both are just under an hour away from Durban.
082 330 6216
ballitosurfschool.com
Skydive in Parys | PARYS
Skydiving affords you both adrenaline and stunning views. While Parys is in the Free State, it’s a relatively short hop (just an hour by car) from Joburg to reach this drop zone situated in the Vredefort Dome, a World Heritage Site. If it’s your first time, you can opt for a tandem jump, which takes all the guesswork and training out of the mission – a master tandem skydiver will take you out on a free-fall experience that you will never forget. If you want to fly solo, though, you can take the accelerated free-fall course with skilled instructors – the lessons will culminate with a static line jump, meaning your parachute will deploy automatically when you exit the plane. Either way, it may be the airborne adventure of a lifetime.
072 303 9140
skydiveparys.co.za
Words by Joshua Craig White & Keith Bain
Photography: Courtesy Images
