Montreal's new 210-foot bungee jump helped me conquer my fear of heights (kind of)

Old Montreal's Convoyeurs Tower is about to become a hotspot for thrill seekers from around the world, thanks to a new attraction called Montreal Bungee. At 210 feet high, it's officially the tallest bungee jump in Canada — and somehow, I found myself at the edge of it.

As a writer who covers what's happening in Montreal on a daily basis, I usually spend more time talking to the people behind the scenes than actually taking part myself. I'm way more familiar with press releases than adrenaline rushes. So when I first heard about Montreal Bungee setting up shop right in the heart of the city, I figured I'd be covering it in some facet.

But when I was offered the chance to try it for myself — all in the name of journalism — something in my gut told me I'd regret it if I didn't. As for the pit I get in my stomach when I look over a balcony that's a few stories too high, I'd just have to worry about that later.

And so began my leap of faith.

A smooth operation

The amount of slack on you bungee rope is determined by your weight.Al Sciola | MTL Blog

Since Montreal Bungee isn't officially open to the public yet, I was one of the first people to try it. Thankfully, I wasn't the first. That would've been even more terrifying.

Upon arriving, I was greeted by founder Samuel Cadotte, who was quick to answer all my questions and calm some of my nerves. Cadotte, who's no stranger to adrenaline, also runs Tyrolienne MTL Zipline and has been working on bringing this bungee project to life for the past four years.

He led me into the old marine tower, a structure built back in the 1950s, and before I knew it, it was time to suit up.

I was weighed, fitted with a harness, and handed a set of carabiners before climbing the tower's 220-step staircase.

Majestic views

The climb itself is part of the experience. As I made my way up the narrow staircase, I caught glimpses of the city unfolding around me — the Old Port's cobblestone streets, the St. Lawrence River shimmering under the afternoon sun, and Mount Royal stretching out in the distance.

Participants are safely fastened to the tower throughout their journey up.Montreal Bungee

By the time I reached the top, the view was breathtaking, and not just because of the altitude. The platform is exposed, giving you a full 360-degree view of the city, and a front-row seat to just how high up you really are.

At this point, backing out was technically still an option. But with my gear secure and a team of trained staff walking me through every step, there was no turning back.

Showtime

I'll be honest, I wasn't nervous throughout the experience... until it was actually time to jump.

Once I reached the highest level, I was greeted by a handful of friendly faces who, from what I can recall, were there to double-check my harness and walk me through the final steps.

I fired off a few last-minute questions about where exactly to place my feet, if there was such a thing as a "bad way" to land. And yes, I asked them to check my cord and harness one more time — maybe even twice.

The moments before liftoff remain blurry in my memory.Montreal Bungee

Standing at the edge, toes peeking over the platform, I tried to soak in the incredible view, but fear quickly set in. I could not imagine myself willingly stepping over.

The only thing I can compare this feeling to is the one you get when you have to summon the courage to jump into a cold swimming pool.

In those moments, I've found that the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to jump.

But before I could overthink it anymore, though, the countdown began.

"Three... two... one..." And off I went.

Peer pressure is usually not a good thing, but it was totally necessary in this case. Without it, I might have chickened out (or asked for a push), but thankfully, I let my feet do the talking.

Had it not been for the employees counting me down, I don't know if I would've been able to jump. Montreal Bungee

I screamed the entire way down. Not just a quick shout, but a full, non-stop, top-of-the-lungs yell that probably echoed across the Old Port. It was pure adrenaline, and the freefall felt way longer than I expected. Even though you know you're securely fastened, your brain can't shake the feeling that you're about to crash into the ground.

Even now, I can't say I loved the sensation of free-falling, but it's certainly a thrill.

To my surprise, when the bungee cord finally caught me, there was no harsh whiplash or violent snap like I had braced for. Instead, it was a smooth, almost graceful bounce that lifted me back toward the sky, giving me a wild, upside-down view of the city skyline.

After a few gentle rebounds and a lot more screaming, I was lowered down toward the water, where a small boat was waiting to retrieve me.

This is probably the closest I'll get to being in an action movie. Montreal Bungee

Floating down into the boat felt straight out of a James Bond movie — minus the cool tux and graceful descent— and was one of my favourite parts of the experience.

A staff member helped unclip me from the harness, gave me a big grin, and motored us back to shore while I tried to process what had just happened.

By the time my feet hit solid ground again, my hands were shaking, my voice was hoarse, and my adrenaline was through the roof — but I couldn't stop smiling.

I'm beyond thankful I got to experience Canada's tallest bungee jump and to prove to myself that, fear of heights or not, I could take the leap. That said, I think I'll stick to ground-level adventures for the next little while.

Getting out of your comfort zone and living to tell the tale is one of life's greatest pleasures. Montreal Bungee

Montreal Bungee offered Al Sciola the opportunity to experience Montreal Bungee with no expectation of coverage, positive or otherwise.

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