Even though rap jumping looks like it was invented by a drunken, suicidal abseiler its uber cool and its popularity is on the rise in and around the UK.

Rap jumping is forward facing, rapid descent rappelling, hence the name "rappel jumping" or "rap jumping".

Rap jumping can be done from any high places from buildings and dams to rock faces and cliffs.

It was invented in Australia where the Aussie special forces used it to quickly abseil down building during a seige. Its rapid descent and forward facing position gives you ultimate control combined with trouser filling speed.

Your climbing harness is put on backwards (so the connecting loop is at the back). A figure 8 belay devices then attaches you to the rope with a special knot. You then put on a helmet of course and some heat repelling gloves (these prevent rope burn). Holding on to the rope you walk to the edge and lean out so you are 90 degrees from the rock face whist holding on to the rope. You then start to loosen your grip on the rope and let it slip through your gloves and you will start to descend then rock face. The more you loosen your grip the faster you go. To stop or slow down simply tighten your grip.

If something happens and you drop the rope or can’t grip it and you start to fall, there is someone at the bottom who operates the breaking. This basically means that they will pull on the same rope that you are on and it will put the breaks on your descent. Phew!

This sport is made extreme because only one rope is used. There is no safety line!

Where to go, Cost and Equipment

Where

Anywhere you can get permission from local councils and also you can find safe anchor ponits. We recommend that you take rock climbing courses to understand where and how to set up anchor points safely and go with some guys that do this extreme sport. Not many people are around giving lessons in this. This link may help www.gravityoutlaw.com

Cost and Equipment

Helmet  -  A good climbing helmet range from £39.99 to £59.99

Heat Repelling Gloves  -  These are welders gloves really. These can be found quite cheap from £3.50 to £9.99.

Harness  -  Worth spending the money on a comfortable harness. These are priced between £29.99 to £94.99

Static Rope  -  Remember the rope used in abseiling or rap jumping is a static rope and not a dymanic rope. The difference being a dynamic rope has some stretch to it. This is not wanted when abseiling or rap jumping. Static rope is slightly cheaper at around £1.30 per meter.