Adventure doesn’t have an age limit because the benefits of trying new things and stepping outside your comfort zone don’t disappear as you get older. Whether you’re 18 or 87, adventure can create unforgettable memories and remind you that you’re capable of more than you think.
Somewhere along the way, many of us are told that adventure belongs to the young. That adrenaline is for twenty-somethings. That bucket lists have expiry dates. That once you reach a certain age, you’re supposed to swap excitement for sensible hobbies and spend your weekends discussing weather patterns and lawn maintenance.
Thankfully, Raymond has never allowed age to define what he’s capable of. At 87, he decided it was the perfect time to take on the AJ Hackett Nevis Catapult.
Raymond is an engineer from Moonbi, a small town near Tamworth in New South Wales. Adventure has been part of his life for as long as he can remember.
In his younger years, he was a member of the Newcastle Technical College Bushwalking Club, where weekends were spent rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, orienteering, bushwalking, and camping under the stars.
“I have abseiled some good drops, but I have always admired people who have learned to do the bungy jumps.”
Now at 87 years of age, Raymond has maintained his interest in “the outdoor mentality” and has established a large conservation area near Tamworth.
When Raymond brought his son and daughter-in-law to New Zealand for a holiday, he certainly hadn’t planned on strapping himself into a giant human catapult and being launched 150 metres across the Nevis Canyon at speeds generating up to 3Gs of force.
But then, as fate would have it, when he was in an activity booking office, he saw the Catapult video playing.
“You know,” he said to his son Zelman, “that looks like a manageable way to do a bungy jump. At least somebody else pulls the trigger.”
To which Zelman replied:
“Well, Dad, if you’re going to do it, I’ll do it too.”
And just like that, what started as a sightseeing trip became something much more adventurous.
The AJ Hackett Difference
Of course, deciding to do something adventurous is one thing. Actually stepping into the harness is another.
For Raymond, a big part of feeling comfortable enough to take on the Catapult was the crew’s professionalism.
As an engineer, Raymond is very familiar with steel cables.
“I admired the quality of the design and construction of the cableway and its structure, suspended several hundred metres above the Nevis River. The bridge out to the operating center felt completely safe, and I had no reservations walking out there.”
For Raymond, it was the crew that really stood out.
“The two young men came across to us as friendly, very competent, and business-like,” he says. “You could tell this was serious stuff, and they wanted no mistakes.”
That professionalism was evident from the moment they began fitting the harnesses.
“They were organised and did the job carefully,” Raymond recalls.
It’s the kind of attention to detail that helps turn nerves into confidence, allowing guests to focus less on the logistics and more on the adventure ahead.
“I remember feeling assured that the rigging gear being employed here was substantial and in good order. Both Zelman and I felt respected and in capable hands.”
Standing on the Edge
Even for someone with a lifetime of adventure behind him, Raymond admits there were still a few nerves before launch.
“I felt some trepidation just being near the edge of the launch site, as they were attaching the suspension and bungy line.”
But something changed once the crew had him secured and ready to go.
“I felt no apprehension at all, quite at peace. Then there was just the wait until the catapult was tensioned.”
And then came the launch.
“The actual launch I found to be very exhilarating, pure adrenaline, but once in suspension on the bungy cord, I felt quite relaxed and enjoyed a feeling of freedom, enjoying the whole scene.”
It’s a sentiment many guests report after experiencing a bungy. The anticipation can be intense, but once you’re committed, the fear often gives way to happiness and a surprising sense of calm.
For Raymond, the Catapult wasn’t just another item to tick off a bucket list. It was a challenge he felt compelled to take on.
“Yes, I have lived a very active life, and still do, but I regarded this as a special challenge for me.”
As an engineer who has spent much of his life working with cables, steel, fibre, and rigging systems, Raymond understood better than most the technology and engineering behind what he was about to do.
“If anybody should have complete confidence in being suspended on a single thin piece of proven and tested line, it is me.”
For him, this wasn’t simply about trusting the equipment. It was about trusting himself.
“It is time to prove to myself that my belief system is, in fact, real. So I saw that I must do this.”
And perhaps that’s what adventure is really about. Not proving something to other people, but occasionally testing the stories we tell ourselves about what we’re capable of, and discovering they’re true.
On the Other Side of the Catapult.
It’s easy to tell ourselves we’ll do something adventurous later. When work slows down. When the kids leave home. When we retire. When life gets less busy.
And there will always be another reason not to. The people who create the best stories tend to be the ones who choose to do it anyway.
When asked to reflect on what the moment meant to him, Raymond said:
“It has shown me that I can still ‘do things’, even if they appear daunting at first. Every project has its doubts, and this exercise has shown me that I can overcome these if I want to.
So whether you’re 18, 38, 58, or 87, here’s your reminder: Adventure doesn’t have an age limit. Comfort zones don’t get smaller on their own. And you’re probably capable of far more than you think.
Raymond had this advice for others considering pushing themselves outside their comfort zones through adventure.
“If you did not feel nervous, there would be something wrong.” He laughed.
“Calm yourself step by step. In many ways, the hardest part was actually committing to the project. Once the decision is made, things then flow in a logical order. I think the part that helped me most was the two young men’s professional attitude as they rigged us out and launched us.”
Every year, people of all ages step onto our platforms and prove that adventure has very little to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated and everything to do with how willing you are to say “yes” to something new.
The only question remains: What adventure are you saying yes to next?
FAQs
Am I too old to try the Nevis Catapult or Bungy jump?
Not at all! As long as you meet the health and safety requirements, age is just a number on our platforms. Raymond took on the Nevis Catapult at 87 years old, proving that adventure has no expiry date. Whether you’re 18 or 87, our crew is fully trained to make sure you feel completely safe, supported, and comfortable every step of the way.
How safe is the Nevis Catapult for first-timers or older adventurers?
Safety and professionalism are our highest priorities. The Nevis Catapult is designed and built to rigorous engineering standards high above the Nevis River, and our expert crew carefully fits and double-checks every harness and rigging line before launch. Even an experienced engineer like Raymond felt totally assured by the team’s professional approach and structural setup.
