How high are Coasteering jumps?
That depends on where you are coasteering, the company you are coasteering with, your skill level and the tide conditions. The higher the jump the more important it is to enter the water with the right technique. You could say as the height increases so does the risk.
Top end jumps tend to be around 8 to 10 meters, that’s over 30 feet in old money. And don’t forget, its your eyes and brain perceiving the height, not your feet, so you can add on hour body height too!
At Ocean Vertical our maximum jump height is around 9 meters. You can see details here: Coasteering with Ocean Vertical. We are also establishing a new Advanced Coasteering course which will have a maximum jump of around 15 meters.
Extreme coasteering jumps
There are of course higher jumps in more extreme coasteering of up to around 16 meters, or over 50 feet. That’s the height of a four-storey building. Get this wrong and the consequences could be serious, so make sure you are with an expert coasteering company and are well practiced and confident in how to enter the water from height.
A good coasteering session will start off with small step off jumps of 1 to 2 meters. The guides will focus on techniques and confidence building. As the session progresses, so will the height of the jumps.
This should always be “adventure through choice”, and if someone decides it’s not for them, or they would rather sit a jump out, there should always be an easier alternative. The coasteering guide will also watch the group carefully to see how their skill set is progressing – and have the ultimate say in if they are ready for the biggest jumps.
How do I do a high coasteering jump?
Make sure you are with a professional coasteering guide who knows the jumps well and is aware of any potential hazards. First up you will do lots of smaller jumps to practice your technique and build your confidence.
When you jump take off with one foot – don’t do it with both like a frog jump!
As you jump your head should be looking straight out and not down at the water. if you do look down your face will hit the water as hard as the rest of your body – to be avoided!
Tuck your arms and hands in by your side, and away from your face. There can be an automatic tendency to hold your nose – don’t do this! The impact of hitting the water could easily force your hand into your face, injuring an eye, or resulting in a bloody nose.
Keep your legs together and straight with “soft knees”. And take a big breath in before you hit the water! With the buoyancy of your wetsuit and buoyancy aid its amazing how quickly you pop up, even from a big jump.
