Don’t you ever just look at something and think, ‘Man, what an adventure’?
I get those impulses a lot. Dreaming of the next adventure I can take. One of those just happened to be outside my front door. Rock Reef is the UK’s first pier to shore zip wire. A whopping 250 metre long zip wire, 25 metres above sea level that goes from Bournemouth’s pier to the sandy beach. Built in 2014, RockReef started as a way to bring outdoor activities such as rock climbing, high line and cave exploring to the indoors world, with the addition of the Zip Wire being added later that year.
So when the opportunity came around to take an adventure, to let my hair down and just feel free even for just 30 seconds? I couldn’t say no. For years since I’ve moved to Bournemouth, I have considered trying the zip wire. Yet thing’s just kept getting in the way. Too many work outs, unable to plan around good weather, I didn’t want to do it alone, and the main reason. Fear since my motorbike accident. For three years I let fear control what I can and can’t do, on whether I relax, or go and have some fun. But after a helpful counselling session, I was reminded that I shouldn’t let the fear stop me. Together we worked through my fears and was reminded that I should continue to live my life to my best ability. Sure activities may cause me pain and discomfort for a few days, but right there and then in that moment, I was told to go have some long overdue and prescribed fun recommended by my therapist.
Whilst on a day off while editing some footage for a short film, we checked the weather and decided to prebook our tickets for the next day. I was nervous and excited. Something that I had dreamt of for so long, and I finally had the opportunity to give it a go.
Morning came around and the nerves started to hit. I was hella excited, but also I was nervous. I have a fear of heights, I know, crazy right? Considering I was just about to jump off a pier whizzing along a 250 meter stretch of cable 25 meters above sea level, I would definitely call it crazy. But that’s the fun in life, pushing myself and facing fears. Well except for spiders, sharks and snakes. But that’s for another day.
We headed down to the pier and I was a bubble of nerves and excitement. This was it, I was finally committing to doing this. The weather turned out perfect for the time slot we picked, with later in the day turning to windy and cold. It was as if the day knew I needed everything to encourage me to do this and make it as perfect as could be.
And perfect it turned out to be. We headed over to the reception desk at the end of the pier where only a few were waiting, so we managed to get signed up pretty quick. As you know, I like to film these occasions and at locations like this you have to use their own gear so we signed up to be able to record the experience. So we waited in the second line briefly, filled in the paperwork required and had our faces scanned into the machine before getting the cameras strapped to our wrists.
Once we had the cameras hooked up on our wrist and we moved them to the positions we were comfortable with, we headed over to the next section where we have our harnesses fitted. I waited patiently to the side until it was my turn. where in my mind I started to go this is it. I’m really doing it. Five minutes later, I was hooked up in my harness, I had the code to the cage and I was ready to go. Well, as ready as could be.
Together we headed to the last section of the pier surrounded by a cage, a helter skelter staircase lead up to the final platform. We reached the cage door, and after I forgot the passcode, we eventually punched in the numbers and opened the door. Once the door closed behind us, I began to really feel it. The stairs were my worst nightmare. Firstly they are circling a pole as you go up but with a steep gap. Not only that, but they were grated. It was as if they were trying to add to the fear just by being able to see through, which again is another fear of mine. I don’t know why but I have never liked gaps in stairs where you can see, or slip. I’d much rather walk around for another set but unfortunately with this there was only one.
Next came my next issue. As some may know, I have what I call floppy food sydrome. Essentially I have foot drop from my motorbike accident four years ago. Which means whenever I walk, I can’t lift my foot. So to combat that and to simply stop me landing face first on the floor after tripping, I have a Saebo boot which my Twitch community raised money for. The boot wraps around my ankle and attaches to two clips in the end two shoelace holes. Then via a wheel , I can tighten the tension which forces my foot to be at a 45’ angle. It has honestly been a life saver and saved me from many falls ever since I’ve gotten it. But the issue that I had was with foot drop, I struggle to take a high step, which the set of stairs to the platform had. So after taking it one at a time and trying not to look down through the gap or over the edge as we got higher, I eventually made it to the top.
And the view. My god the view was absolutely incredible. With a perfectly beautiful summer day, a small breeze and miles upon miles sand either side of the pier. It was simply breath taking to see. Often I sit on the beach looking out at sunrises and sunsets. But to be looking from sea, towards the beach where people are starting to take up their spots for the day, or walking from end to end, it was simply breath taking. I’m actually jealous of those who get to stand up there daily during opening times and get to stare at those views every day. Even if I didn’t appreciate the wobble of the platform in the wind. So whilst I could with a few people in front, I enjoyed taking in the views.
Then my time came. The final door was open and I stepped forwards towards the staff member who hooked me up to the wire and gave me the safety talk. Then, when I was ready, I could jump. This wsas it, this was the final moment. With my heart pounding, my legs and arms shaking, I gripped the ropes tightly and took a quick step and jump off the platform without a moments regret.
For the first second, fear overtook me. What if the cables weren’t attached, what if they all including the safety line broke and I fell? But then momentum caught up, my body dropped and the ropes caught me. All the fears, all the worries, all thoughts escaped me as at that exact moment I was loving life.
I was enjoying the adrenaline rush as the breeze brushed past my face and people watched me laughing as I spun around whizzing my way towards the on coming white sands of Bournemouth Beach. For once I wasn’t worrying about things, I was living the moment. One thing that I swore to myself for such a long time that I would do but had failed to follow through with. As I floated through the air towards the beach I realised it was stupid to put a hold on things. It was stupid to hold myself back because of fear of pain, of trying to prevent days that may or may not come. And so I promised to myself to get into it again. To stop holding myself back, to enjoy the world flying past me but doing what I love and achieving goals.
As I neared the end with a big smile on my face feeling like I’m on top of the world, I knew things were going to improve. That I can take the step forwards in the right direction. I had a stumble, but I’ve reached the next rock and it’s time to plan my projectory towards the next once my feet were back on solid ground. And on solid ground I reached, being helped to the end of the zipwire and unclipped by staff, I knew of what I needed to do.
To walk back with a smile and plans to reach my next goal. And that’s exactly what I intend to do.
Carpe Diem
Not Bucket List Journey 