It’s kinda blurry but I had to choose this photo for my ‘On this Day’ post – me jumping off a 4 metre rock into the river! So unlike me – I consider myself a chicken when it comes to exposure and these sorts of activities! Looking back, I can’t believe I followed through and actually jumped. I was and look terrified! It certainly felt like a long way down from the top of the rock to the water.
As you can see the others in the group hadn’t jumped yet. I was the second to go – and it had to be that way for me to do it. Going last was a surefire way for me to back out!
Jumping off a 4 metre rock was part of my white water rafting experience in Futaleufu, which originally I wasn’t going to do because of rapids and strong currents (chicken!). I was quite quickly persuaded to go for it by the girl I was with. Although I was nervous, I didn’t want to regret not doing it.
Soon, I was sat in a boat, paddle in hand, and in theory ready to meet the rapids! I did feel like the instructions we’d received had gone in one ear and out the other. I was doubtful as to whether I’d be able to follow them if we did capsize or one of us fell in the water! Amazingly we didn’t capsize and I didn’t fall in! One girl did and we all scrambled to pull her back in the boat. The technique we were shown at the beginning was important!
By the end, I was one very cold shivering and tired human in my wetsuit who had gone through a tough upper body work out! My arms were feeling it! I was also very happy and proud of myself (if I can say that!) for going out of my comfort zone. There’s always a nice sense of achievement which comes with that. Looking back through my photos now I still feel it haha!
Click here to read more about my white water rafting experience in Futaleufu.
