Mike Heard and the team underway, at the edge of the platform under the Auckland Harbour Bridge, several hours into the record attempt on 10 October, 2023. Photo: Screengrab
An Auckland man attempting to set a new bungy jumping world record has jumped off the Auckland Harbour Bridge 200 times before lunchtime on Tuesday.
Mike Heard is no stranger to bungy jumping for a cause, and hopes to complete more than 765 bungy jumps in 24 hours, to beat the current world record, and then some - to reach 800.
He is doing it in the name of raising money for the Mental Health Foundation, and is livestreaming his attempt on YouTube, where his jumps are being tallied.
"This is a big deal" - Mike Heard
Heard has previously had a crack at the record four times, and last held it in 2017.
"This is the first time I've felt solid nerves and a hint of anxiety on the fringes too," Heard told First Up.
"I think [it's] the expectation, this is a big number ... 765, the three previous attempts have been a lot less than that.
"The first time I broke this record was in 2017, and it was only at 151 jumps. We've been doing that in training, and this is a big deal. So I've got a pretty big task ahead of me today."
Mike Heard on a previous jump (file photo) Photo: Supplied
Heard said he would need to pace himself, and aimed to do 40 to 50 jumps each hour. The team will use two very fast winches to pull him up each time.
"So no stairs, no boats, just a nice little ride up with an impressive view of the skyline.
"I hold the Guinness World Record currently today for the most bungy jumps in one hour, that's something I set in 2011 at 80 jumps.
"So the Auckland Harbour Bridge and the team at AJ Hackett Bungy are kitted up to do some pretty serious speed, but this is a marathon."
Mike Heard Photo: RNZ / Brad White
Auckland was forecast to be windy during the day, but wind was good, Heard said, because it counteracted the swing of the bungy as the team try to catch him on the second bounce for each jump.
"So I love the wind, I just want the rain to stay away."
Heard said he had a lucky charm that had been with him for all four record attempts.
"I've got a little mini me, he's dangling on a little mini bungy cord that I've made ... he'll just hang from the front door of the bungy door under the bridge," he said.
His motivation for the task - as well as setting a new world record - was to raise awareness and money for the Mental Health Foundation, he said.