Adventure tourism leader AJ Hackett Bungy's 25th birthday

October 17 2013

Adventure tourism leader AJ Hackett Bungy launches 25th birthday competition

Adventure tourism leader AJ Hackett Bungy marks 25 years of Bungy next month and is celebrating by offering one lucky Kiwi or Aussie – and a partner or friend - the chance to join the party with a trip of a lifetime prize to Queenstown.

Launching today (October 17), the iconic tourism company is inviting Kiwis and Aussies to film a one-minute video or submit a 150 word blog outlining what they would do to win the ‘Ultimate Queenstown Getaway’ to join the team to celebrate AJ Hackett Bungy’s 25th Birthday.

The competition prize includes return flights to Queenstown, courtesy of Air New Zealand, from any major city in New Zealand or Australia, four nights’ accommodation in a lake view room at the Crowne Plaza, the opportunity to experience AJ Hackett Bungy Queenstown’s activities including the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, Kawarau Zipride, Ledge Bungy, Ledge Swing, Nevis Bungy and Nevis Swing, one hour of power on a Jet boat ride with KJet, a ride up the Skyline Gondola, coupled with Luge rides at the top of the hill, Go-Karting at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, dinner at Fergburger and a night on the town with the Big Night Out Pub Crawl (all for two people).

The winners will also attend the ‘not-to-be-missed’, invite-only VIP AJ Hackett Bungy 25th Birthday party on November 12 2013.

The entry must be submitted via the competition app on AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand’s Facebook page at https://ajhackettbungynz.pgtb.me/MHsrvQ. You can also find the entry form on the AJ Hackett Bungy website at www.bungy.co.nz.

Over the last 25 years more than three million people have jumped at AJ Hackett Bungy sites around the world. Celebrity jumpers at the four New Zealand sites include David Beckham, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Jack Black, Tiger Woods, and comedian Billy Connelly - who famously jumped naked.

AJ Hackett Bungy Marketing Manager Katie Macpherson said the competition would “certainly test people’s ingenuity”.

“Now it’s the turn of ‘everyday Kiwis and Aussies’ to step up to the platform,” said Mrs Macpherson.

“We know there are some adventurous souls out there and we’re confident there’ll be some whacky entries for this. We encourage people to think differently, get out there and do something awesome.

“After all that’s what AJ Hackett Bungy is all about, pushing the boundaries, but safely of course.”

The prize will be won by the person who submits the most ‘original’ entry and the winner will be announced on November 5 2013.

The 25th Birthday milestone will celebrate the many achievements and successes of the multi-award-winning adventure tourism company, known worldwide as the ‘pioneers of bungy’.

As the official ‘World Home of Bungy’, Queenstown’s historic Kawarau Bridge will be the focus of celebrations.

From humble beginnings in 1988 when AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch were first granted a temporary consent from the Department of Conservation to set up the world’s first commercial bungy jumping operation at the bridge, AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand has become a world-renowned adventure tourism company recognised for its innovation, edgy company culture and constantly-evolving range of products.

AJ Hackett Bungy co-founder and director Henry van Asch said seeing people “push themselves out of their comfort zone to Bungy” was one of his favourite things about being involved with the company.

“To this day that’s the overwhelming thing that keeps me motivated – seeing people jump for the first time. Embracing the fear and facing up to the personal challenge is what it’s all about,” said Mr van Asch.

“I’ve jumped all over the world and there’s nowhere quite like Queenstown in my eyes. The chance to join us in the celebrations and jump at the Kawarau Bridge - World Home of Bungy is an awesome prize.

“I expect we’ll receive some pretty cool entries for this competition. I look forward to picking a winner,” said Mr van Asch.

People can follow the competition and celebrations on the AJ Hackett Bungy Facebook page and are encouraged to use the #25yearsofbungy hashtag on social media sites.

More competitions will be unveiled as the weeks go by for people to win amazing prizes including limited edition t-shirts and bungy jumps.

Another feature of the #25yearsofbungy campaign will be the 25-day deals calendar that kicks off on October 18. For each of the 25 days leading up to the birthday a different Bungy deal will be revealed.

To check out each daily deal visit http://www.bungy.co.nz/25bungydeals.

On the day of the birthday, November 12, students from local Queenstown primary and high schools will be joined by teachers and spectators to kick start celebrations at the Kawarau Bungy Centre.

Throughout the day and into the night fun birthday activities will include bungy stunt jumps, a giant 25th Birthday cake and an invite-only event in the evening for VIPs, media and staff.

Local pupils aged from 10 to 13, whose names will be picked out of a hat, will jump from the bridge on November 2 and 3, embracing their fears and completing their first ever bungy jump.

About AJ Hackett Bungy
AJ Hackett Bungy pioneered this crazy adrenalin activity in November 1988 at the Kawarau Bridge in a little place called Queenstown, New Zealand.

Bungy jumping was ‘born’ when AJ Hackett saw a video of Bungy jumps performed by the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club. Realising that others would gain a huge sense of achievement and large adrenalin rush, AJ and friend Henry van Asch set about developing and testing Bungy cords with the help of Auckland University scientists.

The pair then developed a Bungy Code of Practice, providing the framework for the New Zealand/Australian Bungy Jump Standard -- the company was the first in the world to be awarded the 'S' Mark for Bungy jumping.

Despite the sceptics, AJ Hackett Bungy opened for business with a 30-day licence from the Department of Conservation.

Many successful years later, AJ and Henry went their separate ways in 1997 -- Henry owns and operates Bungy sites in New Zealand and AJ owns and operates other sites around the world as AJ Global.

After 25 years in business AJ Hackett Bungy still delivers amazing adrenalin-fuelled experiences including the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, newly-renovated Bungy Centre, Kawarau Zipride (opened March 2013), Nevis Bungy, Nevis Swing, Ledge Bungy and Ledge Swing in Queenstown, Auckland Bridge Climb and Auckland Bridge Bungy.

AJ Hackett Bungy is an iconic New Zealand tourism brand and prides itself on being a world leader in challenge and adventure, continuing to exceed expectations for staff, jumpers and the tourism industry.

ENDS

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