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bridge jumpers
Friday, January 25, 2013 • Nick Coombe

Comments
Tom Wilkie
11:35 a.m. Friday, Jan 25, 2013
Leave the kids alone and focus more attention on important matters.
Waste-of-space idiots have nothing better to moan about.
Gizzy gal
09:52 a.m. Friday, Jan 25, 2013
I have no issue with the kids jumping off the bridge. Most of them are sensible about it. The ones I have an issue with are the ones who spit or throw rocks at people boating under the bridges, or throw mud at cars driving by.
winston moreton
02:57 p.m. Friday, Jan 25, 2013
I was in a dinghy on the Waimata River yesterday heading to the harbour for lunch with two others. As we puttered under the Rutene Road Bridge, I was struck suddenly by the sickening thought that we might be joined by one of the kids I see daily running from the Marina Park end to jump in the river. We got clear and sure enough, looking back, there they were - two worried looking 10-year-olds, a boy and a girl, clinging to the side of the parapet ready to go. They could not have seen our approach and, although our skipper works in the brigade, we did not have a warning siren.
The Gladstone Road Bridge was clear of jumpers but there were five (it used to be half-a-dozen) wanna-bes on the rail bridge; and a few whoo-hoo’s - done that - spouting around in the river beside us.
We had some interaction. As soon as we cleared the splash zone one among us irresponsibly urged a nervous looking lass of 13 or 14 to jump. She didn't. But she would eventually; there was ample peer pressure and the older ones would see her safe.
I am all for the jumping off the rail bridge as part of growing up in Gisborne. I envy councillor Manu Caddie who says he has the T-shirt. He has a good idea too; for a non-intrusive young adult or two to keep an eye on what does go down there. It would stop verbal abuse and missiles; and I did see a soft missile come our way. On the other hand; we also need a barbed-wire net under the two road bridges. Plastic or rubber of course. The real kind would upset self-appointed children huggers nationwide.
Niggly
02:50 p.m. Friday, Jan 25, 2013
We live near the bridge and almost every day we see near-misses and slippery mud all over the footpath. Either enforce the bylaw or rescind it completely . . . or even limit jumping to one arch of the bridge and boats to the other.
patrick cram
11:33 p.m. Friday, Jan 25, 2013
Simple - designate a jumping area with signs to stop boats at that area (between bridge supports).
avid bridge jumper
10:37 a.m. Saturday, Jan 26, 2013
As a youngster, I too was a regular bridge jumper. Never hurt anyone.
I think it has more to do with being responsible and trying to avoid accidents. I think they should be allowed to carry on this activity, because it's cheap fun and keeping youth occupied.
We also used to jump off all areas at the wharf, including "the tower" and various boats. If an allocated jumping spot arose, what bridge would be best? It must be the rail bridge.
Shelley Brown
02:49 p.m. Saturday, Jan 26, 2013
Let the kids have their fun . . . this day and age, our kids don't have too many options in Gisborne for leisure where it doesn't involve money (something we all struggle with). So yeah, leave our kids to have their fun - but I do agree with Patrick Cram about designating a jumping area with signs to stop boats from entering. As for having a responsible person keeping watch of our kids - I'm keen to do that as a team roster during summer, sure, why not. I can have just as much fun as the kids just seeing them happy.
Ani Bingham
04:25 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 29, 2013
It's good clean fun, and encourages them to swim and get water confidence. There are rules for too many things in this world for kids nowadays.
Poll

Do you agree with a bid to pull bridge jumpers away from unsafe road bridges in the city by building “bombing platforms” for youngsters in safe places along the Turanganui River?

Please read: Call for ‘bombing platforms’
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