Most people want a record of their bungee jump, and there are three ways to get one: the operator’s photo and video package, a camera strapped to you, and photos taken by friends watching from the ground. The operator’s package is the easiest and often the best. A personal camera is only allowed at some sites and on some activities. Here is what the rules say, which mounts work, and how to get good photos from the ground.
Operator media vs your own camera
| Operator photos and video | Your own action camera | Friends on the ground | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allowed? | Always offered at big sites | Only where the crew approves it [1] | Yes, from spectator areas |
| Angles | Fixed cameras, often from positions you can’t reach yourself [2] | Your point of view: hands, the drop, the horizon | The whole jump, seen from the side or below |
| Cost | Included at AJ Hackett New Zealand; sold separately at Bloukrans [1][3] | Your own gear | Free |
| Effort on the day | None | Mounting it, getting it checked and starting the recording | Someone has to give up their spot to watch |
At AJ Hackett in New Zealand, media of your activity is included in the price. You get a link to an online portal with unlimited downloads for 60 days, so download your files soon after the jump [1]. At Bloukrans in South Africa, you watch and buy your photos and video afterwards [3].
Can you bring a GoPro?
It depends on the site and the activity, and the crew always has the final say. AJ Hackett says all cameras must be approved by its crew on the day [1]. Its current rules include:
- Auckland Bridge Bungy: securely attached GoPros or action cameras may be allowed after the crew checks them. Head-mounted cameras are not allowed; chest or wrist mounts only [1].
- Queenstown and Taupō: personal cameras are not allowed during the activity. Action cameras may be allowed on some experiences, depending on the activity and conditions [1].
- Auckland SkyJump, SkyWalk, SkyRide and Bridge Climb: no personal cameras or filming equipment during the activity [1].
Where cameras are allowed, AJ Hackett says they must be securely attached to your body and close to it, not on a long stick [2]. Rules change, so check with the operator when you book. Don’t try to negotiate at the edge of the platform.
Which mount works best?
- Chest mount. Often allowed where head mounts aren’t [1]. It films your hands, the platform falling away and the landscape. The harness can block the lens and point it at fabric, so check the angle while wearing the clothes you will jump in.
- Wrist mount. Also allowed at Auckland Bridge Bungy [1]. You can film your face at the edge and then turn the camera outward for the fall. The downside is that arm movement can make the footage hard to watch. Keep the strap tight.
- Head or helmet mount. Not allowed at Auckland Bridge Bungy [1]. Even where allowed, it exaggerates shake and wind noise.
- Selfie stick. Not allowed. Cameras must sit close to your body [2].
Whatever mount you use, use a locking mount and, if the crew allows it, a tether. The rebound jolts the camera hard.
Camera settings and setup
- Charge the battery and clear the memory card the night before.
- Start recording before you walk onto the platform, so you aren’t fiddling with menus during the countdown.
- Choose a high frame rate if you want slow motion of the fall and stretch.
- Use a narrower field of view if you want the scenery to look less distorted.
- Expect wind noise. If you want clear audio of your reaction, the operator’s footage or a friend’s phone may capture it better.
Taking photos from the ground
Friends watching can get the shots a body camera can’t: the jumper leaving the platform, the full stretch, and the moment they are lowered or winched back up.
- Know where spectators can stand. At Kawarau Bridge, spectators watch for free from the viewing deck [1]. At Bloukrans, spectators can book the SkyWalk tour to watch jumpers from the bridge [3].
- Use burst mode and start shooting at the countdown. The free fall is over in a few seconds.
- Agree on roles. One person takes video and another takes stills, or one films the jump and the other films your face when you get back.
- Don’t use a phone or tablet on the platform itself unless the crew allows it. Loose items can fall.
Good places to watch and photograph at famous sites
- Kawarau Bridge, Queenstown. Spectators watch for free from the viewing deck, which makes it one of the easiest jumps to photograph [1].
- Nevis, Queenstown. Nevis is remote, and transport is by the Bungy Bus from Queenstown [4], so check what spectators can do before booking them a seat.
- Bloukrans, South Africa. The bridge is so high that ground photos show a tiny figure. The SkyWalk and the operator’s media give a better view [3].
FAQ
Can I bring a GoPro on a bungee jump?
Sometimes. At AJ Hackett’s Auckland Bridge Bungy, a securely attached action camera on a chest or wrist mount may be allowed after crew checks. Queenstown and Taupō don’t allow personal cameras, although action cameras may be allowed on some experiences [1].
Are head-mounted cameras allowed?
Not at Auckland Bridge Bungy, where only chest or wrist mounts are allowed [1]. Check the rules for your site.
Can I use a selfie stick?
No. AJ Hackett says cameras must be securely attached and sit close to your body, not on a long stick [2].
Are photos and videos included with a bungee jump?
At AJ Hackett New Zealand, yes. You get a download link valid for 60 days. At Bloukrans you buy them after the jump [1][3].
Can friends film my jump?
Yes, from the spectator areas. At Kawarau Bridge, spectators watch for free from the viewing deck [1].
Sources
- AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand: FAQs (camera and GoPro rules by site, media portal)
- AJ Hackett: How to prepare for an AJ Hackett bungy activity (action cameras, no long sticks)
- Bloukrans Bungy: The bungy experience (jump media, SkyWalk for spectators)
- AJ Hackett: Nevis Bungy (photos and video, Bungy Bus transport)
Image credits
- Photo: AwOiSoAk KaOsIoWa / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Photo: Thajsko / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)