Ripcord bungee jump question?

Question

I have never gone on one, and have never actually been bungee jumping. I want to try the Ripcord this year, and I am curious.. how similar is it to actual bungee jumping?

Answer 1

I don't know why alot of people think this is a bungee jumping attraction, there are no similarities whatsoever. This type of attraction is known as a Skycoaster, and it is designed to simulate the sensations of skydiving (freefall) and hang-gliding (soaring through the air).

Up to three people can ride at a time, whereas with bungee jumping; it is just you. Like Krista, I prefer to ride by myself, but if you are nervous, bring your best friend and ride together!

On a skycoaster you are in a harness and face the ground the entire time, and once prompted by the ride operators, you pull a ripcord to begin your descent. You enjoy a second or so of freefall before swinging back and forth for a few times.

Hope this helps! :)

Answer 2

It's really nothing close to bungee jumping.  They are two entirely different activites.

Ripcord (Skycoaster) is described, by the manufacturer, as a cross between skydiving and hang gliding.  I've skydived before and the only real similarity to skydiving I've found is the ripcord you pull.  After that, it's just swinging, so I don't know how it would compare to hang gliding since you don't swing back and forth doing that.

As for how it compares to bungee jumping, you're not jumping off anything and you have nothing attached to your ankles.  And you freefall the whole time until that cord around your ankles catches you; the Ripcord only provides maybe a second of freefall before the cables catch you.  But the Ripcord, and any other Skycoaster, are the only attractions that provide the feeling it has.  I prefer doing it by myself; it's a refreshing feeling for me.