ASPIRING daredevils are being invited to step off a great height and into the unknown as part of a new initiative encouraging people to push themselves to their limits.
As part of Brathay Trust's new Go Active at Brathay drive, those who visit the charity's Ambleside grounds on its annual marathon day will be given the chance to take part in upto six different outdoor, health and fitness activities.
Read more: Lakes charity in drive to get first-time fitness converts up and running
One of the experiences up for grabs on Sunday May 21 will be the chance to venture to heights of around 14m before sailing off over a clifftop on the trust’s 100m zipwire.
Mark Allen, Brathay technical officer, said: “It’s a high personal challenge. You have to climb the pole, which is around 4m tall on a 100m cliff, then step off a platform. Then you fly along it, ending about 4m off the ground, and you will have been trained to then climb down.
“This is not a teamwork exercise, it’s about personal challenge. It’s quite a high adrenaline thing really, and all about stepping into the unknown.”
With the zip wire not for the faint-hearted, or for those under the age of 10, Mr Allen and his team have plenty planned for those who prefer to ease themselves into taking to new heights. They will be manning two climbing walls, one slanted, easier-to-scale, 8m surface for total beginners and younger children, and a higher 12m vertical one for those building in confidence who want to push themselves.
Those as young as five or six may be able to give it a go
Mr Allen said: “It’s all about their own abilities and their ability to challenge themselves. It’s a really open activity for all, and many will have a go and think, ‘Ok, I like that, I might go a bit higher or try a bit more’.”
Another option being offered by the Brathay team is the chance to try out a high ropes course. It will give those who have fancied visiting somewhere like Cumbria’s much-loved Go Ape centre the chance to try out something similar, on a smaller scale, before taking the plunge.
Mr Allen said: “As a charity we are all about improving lives and opening up choices and options to people, and our staff are really skilled at that, so it’s about having a go. We will encourage people to do more than they think they’re able to and open people’s eyes to their own abilities.”
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