Jumping from 10 meters high and even doing a handstand upside down? Experience the "human flying trapeze" and forget your worries in an instant

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Manila

Bungee jumping, skydiving, rock climbing... These thrilling outdoor activities hold immense appeal and excitement for those who love to challenge themselves. Now, thrill-seeking travelers visiting Manila can also embark on a "human flying trapeze" adventure, enjoying the extreme fun of swinging at a height of 32 feet (approximately 10 meters).

▲ The human flying trapeze venue in Manila is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. (Photo by reporter Chen Ruizhong, the same below)

Xu Weimin, who grew up in the United States, has been dedicated to promoting this unique activity ever since he first encountered the human flying trapeze sport during his time in the U.S. In August 2014, Xu set up the human flying trapeze facility in Manila, establishing the first such venue in Southeast Asia. To date, it has welcomed over 8,000 participants. Xu excitedly said, "This is really fun. Everyone from a 2-year-old kid to my 71-year-old mother has tried it!"

▲ The platform is about 10 meters above the ground.

Unlike bungee jumping, which involves being secured by a tether, the human flying trapeze requires you to grip swinging bars in mid-air using the strength of your arms. Therefore, becoming a human flying trapeze artist actually demands some skill and courage. On the platform, you first spread your legs, use your left hand to hold onto a support bar to stabilize your body, then extend your right arm outward to grab the hanging bar in mid-air. At this point, your body is already leaning far forward, relying only on the coach holding a safety rope. Xu Weimin explained that you need to boldly thrust your body outward to make a successful leap.

▲ Many participants find that being a human flying trapeze artist allows them to forget all their worries.

"3, 2, 1, jump!" At the coach’s command, participants swing down from the air. The rush of speed that greets you instantly spikes your adrenaline, and the intense excitement quickly overrides fear and the tension in your arms. Unconscious screams escape as the surrounding skyscrapers and sky, rising and falling in height, become the most beautiful scenery before your eyes. For the more daring participants, there's even the option to try a "handstand," hanging upside down from the bar by just your legs, experiencing the novelty of an inverted world.

▲ With proper training, you can even perform advanced double tricks in the air.

Although the human flying trapeze is thrilling and fun, the actual experience of stepping onto the platform—facing the fear induced by the three-story drop and self-doubt about your abilities—often leaves many people terrified. There are also quite a few who end up freezing mid-air and giving up.

▲ Even female participants can take on the challenge of doing a handstand in the air.

For most people, overcoming the fear of a roughly three-story height and using their arms to support their entire body weight becomes the mental hurdle. But one participant revealed: although it looks scary, the moment you jump, it feels like all your worries disappear—it’s just “awesome!”

Human Flying Trapeze in the Philippines
Address: Federacion Drive corner 9th Avenue, Federacion Dr, Taguig, Metro Manila
Price: Starting from 1,000 Philippine pesos per person per session (approximately 700 New Taiwan Dollars)