The thrill of it

TANDEM SKYDIVING
For a real breath-stopping experience, try falling from an aircraft 11 000 feet above the ground … firmly strapped to a highly qualified tandem instructor. It requires no training and you will be briefed before the jump. You free fall for 40 seconds, at 200km/h, then the instructor deploys the main parachute, which slows your fall. As the two of you drift towards earth, you have time to enjoy the trip and the magnificent views. At an additional cost, a professional cameraman will video the jump.

Where: Johannesburg Skydiving Club, Carletonville, 45 minutes' drive from Johannesburg.
Cost:: R950 per person.
Call: ð 082 330 0111

BRIDGE JUMPING
Fancy a pendulum swing between two 65m-high bridges? Then take a trip to the Gouritz River Bridge in the Western Cape and have a go at bridge jumping. If you love bungee jumping, you'll love this 100 per cent adrenaline rush.

You are strapped into a body harness that is secured to ropes, which are attached to the opposite bridge. You step off the platform, feet first, into a 45m free fall, and swing between the bridges, reaching a speed of 120km/h. Go for the day or spend the weekend at base camp, which is next to the river, 3km from the bridge. Accommodation is in a selfcatering house, which sleeps 35 people. Meals can be arranged at an additional cost.

Where: On the N2, 350km from Cape Town, between Albertinia and Mossel Bay.
Cost:: R295 per person includes two nights' accommodation and three jumps. Extra jumps are at an additional cost.
Call: Wildthing Adventures on 021 423 5804.
Giveaway: Wildthing Adventures is offering Woman's Value readers the chance to win a bridge swinging adventure of a lifetime. One lucky couple will win the weekend package and 10 runners-up will win a single bridge jump each. To be in line to win, send your contact details on a postcard to: Woman's Value/Bridge Jumping Giveaway, Box 1802, Cape Town 8000. Closing date: 31 March 2003

SANDBOARDING
A thrilling ride down soft dunes makes for a fun day out for the whole family. All you need is a sheet of smooth-sided hardboard, available from any hardware shop, cut to a large rectangle, a tin of furniture polish, a rag for rubbing and baby powder. Polish the smooth side well and sprinkle all over with powder.

Lie on the board, smooth side down, hold the front bit up as a grip, and get someone to give you a hearty push. And down you go! Goggles should be worn to avoid getting sand in your eyes. Those who are wary of trying this on their own can join an organised day tour. Remember to take thick socks, a swimsuit, towel and plenty of sunscreen!

Where: A few of the top sandboarding destinations in the country are Sandy Bay, Cape Town; Silwerstroomstrand, West Coast; Betty's Bay; Alexandria; Maitland River mouth; Port Alfred; Cape Vidal and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Call tourist information centres for details of locations and tours.
Cost:: Downhill Adventures organises sandboarding tours to Atlantis and to Betty's Bay for R500 per person, which includes transport to and from Cape Town, all equipment and lunch.
Call: ð 021 422 0388.

ABSEILING
The thrill of gliding down a vertical mountain wall surrounded by magical scenery is an unforgettable experience. Active Africa Adventures and Touring offers a weekend of abseiling in one of South Africa's most unusual landscapes. Depart from Cape Town on a Friday and travel to Cederberg Wilderness.

Accommodation is at a campsite and a traditional South African braai is prepared by the guides in the evening. An introductory session of abseiling is given on Saturday morning and the day is spent hiking and exploring the Wolfberg Cracks before you put your abseiling skills to the test. On Sunday morning you take a mountain bike trail to see the impressive rock formations in the area. After lunch you head back to Cape Town.

Where: The Cederberg is about two hours' drive from Cape Town.
Cost:: R1 400 fully inclusive
Call:ð021 788 8750

SHARK DIVING
Coming face to face with a great white shark doesn't have to be a terrifying experience, but it will be thrilling. Moby's organises tours that guarantee shark viewing that is safe. The tour begins (depending on tides) between 7 and 9am with breakfast at Moby's Backpackers and a trip to Gansbaai.

After the briefing, you board a 10m catamaran for a 20-minute trip to Shark Alley, a spot reputed to have the most great white sharks in the world. Bait is set out and the sharks come up to the boat – this provides excellent opportunities for surface viewing and photographing.

Once sharks are present and at the crew's discretion, you have the opportunity to go into the water, with just a sturdy cage between you and the marine predators. Lunch is served on board and mid-afternoon a short trip is made to the seal colony on Geyser Rock.

Where: Moby's Backpackers, 9 Mitchell Street (near the information centre), Hermanus.
Cost:: R700 per person includes breakfast and a night's accommodation in Moby's dorm, which sleeps six to eight people.
Call: ð 028 313 2361. For alternative accommodation call 028 314 1567.
Other option: Shark Lady Adventures also offers the opportunity to come face to face with a great white shark. The cost is R800 per person and transport from Cape Town to Hermanus and back can be arranged for an additional R200.
Call: 028 312 3287

OTHER OPTIONS

The Storms River Gorge: One-day Challenge includes a 110m abseil, mountain biking and two-and-a-half hours of river tubing. The cost is R495 per person, which includes refreshments, lunch, guides and equipment. If you want to focus only on abseiling, there is a 35m abseil in the Storms River Gorge for R120 per person, which includes guides and equipment.
Call 042 281 1836.

Abseil at Beachcomber Caves and Needle Point in Knysna. A half-day outing of four or five abseils costs R230 per person.
Call 044 382 5599

Credit: Shark Image from Die Burger by Peter Pinnock