Printable View
Say an aging but adventurous man wanted to jump the cliff at Rick's for the first time. Any advice to avoid injuries? I've heard from a certain Evel Kneivel-style tourist from Wisconsin to "be like a pencil" but does that mean arms up or arms tight on the sides?
Take a step forward, like you're walking off a cliff, then get as straight as you can. Feet together to protect the jewels, arms straight down towards the front, hands in front with palms facing downwards to create a splash barrier so your nose doesn't get inundated with tons of salt water.
Or
Just jump straight in feet first, use arms to balance you so you're upright and it'll be no problem mon. The first time I stepped off a cliff at Josephs Cave, it felt like the coyote of the roadrunner fame, stepping off the cliff at first nothing happened, then zoooom downwards into the WATA.
Fun fun fun.
Jump AWAY from the rocks..don't just step off. Go in arms to side as straight as possible...any ladies larger than a c cup I would recommend a very tight sports bra type of top...not a string bikini....
Evil knievel Wisconsinite. Hmm I want to meet her. Got D cups here and never had a boob issue with or without a suit but I doubt Gerry needs to worry bout that. This gal when going in feet first walks a large step off or bouce jumps and sticks arms straight up like a pencil and tight straight legs.
How to get hurt at Ricks would be belly flop or anything where you butt tries to break the water, you have to take the force with something other then your spinal cord. Long as you don't try tricks before you know how to do them you will be fine. I always suggest trying a lower cliff to start though so you know what your body will do. This is something new to your body. Gerry you should first experiment at xtabi though to see what hurts and doesnt before trying Ricks High cliff jump. They have a baby one at Rick's you could try on too. The Xtabi cliffs are great for starting and experimenting. Also great for jumping while drinking dirty bananas with little chance of permanent injury and I know you like it there.
This evil Knievel person needs to go jump the lighthouse with me next trip. I need a camera person.
Favourite places to Evil Knievel (Without D Cups here) ;-)
1) Josephs Cave now called Rockhouse, not allowed to jump anymore from there :-(
2) Xtaby
3) Negril Escape at the Lighthouse Tower (higher than Ricks)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...8_621489_n.jpg
4) Blue Hole Mineral Springs (34 feet ish)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._1386227_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._5082420_n.jpg
5) Swing at YS Falls
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._7592384_n.jpg
6) Tree at Mayfield Falls
7) Jumping off the horses at Country Western Horse Riding Farm
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...1_554678_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._5847746_n.jpg
According to another post, you should not dive. I guess that's what you'd call a "no brainer."
I just walk off the edge, keep legs together and arms at my side. Sometimes I do a lifeguard entry, which is jumping with legs spread front to back and arms pependicular to sides. I close up arms and legs before entry, but this is a stable way to jump for me. Of course, the lifeguard jump is designed to leave your legs and arms in this position so that when you hit the water you don't go under and lose visual on your victim, but I don't recommend this at 40 feet. Xtabi is a good place to get your feet wet with cliff jumping BUT DO NOT DIVE. I hit bottom on every jump, so diving would not end well for you. I jump off Xtabi with snorkel gear in one hand a live waterproof video cam in the other, no problem. People get hurt at Rick's when they:
1. Over rotate-that means you have too much forward momentum and your body is obeying the laws of physics. Big running jumps usually lead to this. Which means BELLYFLOP! It doesn't take much of this to get you a good WHACK on your belly.
2. Under rotate-that means that for some reason your weight shifted back while jumping and you will land on your butt or back.
3. Side rotation-that means that for whatever reason, you did not exit the cliff straight ahead. Usually due to visually focusing on an object or scene that is either greater or less than 0 degrees in front of your body. Keep your head straight and look at an object in the distance that is 0 degrees in front of your body. This one usually ends badly, I've seen blown eardrum and worse.
If you've had back issues, disc surgery, hip or knee replacement, neck issues, sinus issues, heart issues, kidney issues or other health issues that could be adversely affected by an almost 40 foot drop into water, forget it. Life is too short. That said, I love cliff jumping and Tam does too! She got her start at Xtabi.
Wear a swimsuit or you will get an un-wanted seawater enema.
For me, diving is easier than jumping. When jumping I tend to flail my arms around. Diving give me more control, and also a better view of the water. Oc course I have been cliff diving since I was about 16. I'm 60 now, and still have a few more dives left in me. This recent photo was from Blue Cave Castle.
Regards,
Bob
Attachment 2018