Taking the leap: A closer look at the ‘incredible’ adventure of Bridge Day

The day’s wild adventurers — whitewater rafters, rappelers and BASE jumpers — braved great heights and dense crowds to celebrate the beauty of the Mountain State.

‘No feeling like it’

Jenna Klausing, of Graysonville, Maryland, returned for her second year of jumping at the gorge. This year, she was one of 325 registered BASE jumpers to leap off the 876-foot-tall bridge. Preparing for her second leap of the day, she said the conditions “couldn’t be better,� with minimal wind and plenty of sunshine. The large crowd added to the fun.

“There’s a ton of people here, so it’s super,� she said. “The crowd’s electric, the jumpers are electric. It’s a really good time.�

Ava Dalpra felt the excitement, too, visiting the gorge for the first time to watch her boyfriend, Nathan Woodhams, take on a second year of jumping from the bridge. After coming from Fort Mill, South Carolina, she rode the shuttle down W.Va. 82 — as the bus navigated turns so tight, the driver was forced to make three-point turns to get through — to meet him at the bottom.

“It’s surreal, to a point,� she said. “I’ve seen him jump out of a plane millions of times, but seeing him jump off a bridge, which is a short distance — it’s crazy to think about.�

Eli Schleser, a member of the Bridge Day Pick Up Guys — a rescue crew tasked with helping jumpers, media and others on or near the water — guided a boat, giving passengers advice on where to get the best shots. He shared that, in his seven years on the job, he’s seen “lots of stuff� fall from the bridge, including water bottles and clothing.

Joking with his passengers, he quipped, “Sometimes it seems like they’re trying to land in the boat, but they’re not going to catch me. I’m too fast.� As a jumper splashed into the water, Schleser noted that the jumpers are often “so jacked up on adrenaline, they probably don’t even remember being in the boat.�

That rush of emotions was echoed by Ava Cato, from Keene, New Hampshire. After her jump, she said she felt “incredible� and there’s “no feeling like it.�

“Jumping off a bridge is kind of like riding a bike,� she said. “You don’t know what to expect until you do it. You’re in total control. Except, if you screw up, you might die.�

Enjoy it together, or alone

Gregory Eakins and his family traveled from West Lafayette, Indiana, to run the morning’s 5K race. He and his partner, Mary Niedrauer, regularly participate in races and are working toward their goal of completing a race in every U.S. state.

“It’s just one of those adventures we like to go on,� Niedrauer said. “We want to set an example for the kids, teaching them to be tough and explore the world. Races are one of our favorite ways to see new places. It’s a fast way to explore.�

Their six-year-old daughter, Ellie, said she loved running with her parents, while four-year-old Leon said it was “good.�

Meanwhile, Jared McCullough preferred a solo adventure, rappelling off the bridge for the sixth time. He traveled six hours from Gilboa, Ohio, to participate in the event.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a lot of people,� McCullough said. Even after six times, he still found something new — his first experience rappelling through fog.

“It was one of the most solitary things I’ve ever experienced,� he said. Since he couldn’t see the bridge, the other rappellers, the bridge above, or the ground below, he said the experience feels like “you’re just kind of existing.�

Bridge Day is big business

On the south side of the bridge, Brad and Wendy Scott prepared containers of flavored boiled peanuts for customers. For the couple, Bridge Day marked the debut of their Fayetteville-based business, Holler Nuts.

“We’ve been to Bridge Day in a lot of different capacities for years,� Brad Scott said, “But we’ve always wanted to participate as vendors. We started this business this year, and it just made sense to come here for the biggest event in town.�

Brad Scott noted that this would be their biggest sales event of the year.

Alex Durand, of Renick, Greenbrier County-based Mountain Table, shared his excitement about the connections he made for his coffee, snack and soap business while visiting Bridge Day with West Virginia Hive. He appreciated the chance to promote his products and network with new customers.

“It was a great opportunity to promote all the accounts that carry our coffee throughout the state,� Durand said. “We’ll definitely be back next year and plan to expand our offerings.�

These benefits aren’t unique to this year’s event. Lisa Strader, director of Visit Southern West Virginia, said Bridge Day is the biggest one-day festival in the region and has a significant impact on the local economy.

“All these people we see walking through here have stayed somewhere. They’ve gotten gas to get here, they’re going to eat here, and some may be staying in West Virginia for the first time,� Strader said.

Tim Naylor, executive assistant at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that local lodging was completely booked in anticipation of the event.

“These people who enjoy it go back and tell others. And they just keep coming back,� Strader said.

The Scotts, although raised in South Carolina, appreciate the charm of the West Virginia hills, especially on Bridge Day.

“The bridge itself, and the New River Gorge, is a non-recreatable resource,� Brad said. “It’s great to have a day when you can get out and enjoy it in a special way. It’s hard to be on the bridge as a pedestrian any other day of the year.�

Safety first

According to Naylor, there were no major accidents or incidents at this year’s Bridge Day event.