September 13 , 2007

I just wanted to add my story to the dangers of cliff jumping.  I recently returned from a vacation in Jamaica (9/1/07-9/9/07) where I stayed in Montego Bay, but our group ventured over to Negril for the day.  During our visit of Negril we stopped at Rick’s Café.  After seeing many people jump from the 35’ cliff as well as one of the members of our group successfully jump from the cliff, I finally got the nerve to jump as well.  As I approached the platform there was a “lifeguard” who simple pointed to a tip box and a warning sign.  I quickly read the warning sign and jumped before I changed my mind.  On the way down I had my eyes closed, which was probably to my detriment as I did not know where I was in location to the water.  Well as I approached the water a sense of fear fell over me and I began to move my legs forward.  As I did this I hit the water off balance, striking my rear first.  Upon surfacing I knew that something was not right and my first thought was get out of this water.  I swam to the ladder, where my friend, who had just jumped before me was waiting and immediately asked me if I was alright and if I needed help.  I told him I was alright and I began to climb the ladder.  I was about half way out of the water when I turned around to see the bruises on my legs.  I reached the platform and was bombarded by all of my friends asking if I was alright and looking at my legs to make sure there was nothing protruding out from them.  Luckily I was only bruised, but it was enough to scared the living daylights out of me.  I will never jump again and I would like to join your campaign in educating people about the dangers of cliff jumping. (SEE PHOTOS OF GRETCHEN'S BRUISES BELOW)