Mohr Keet Bungee Jumps for World Record at 96

Mr. Keet from George bungeed for a Guinness World Record at Bloukrans Bridge

Mohr Keet, a pensioner from George on South Africa’s Garden Route, yesterday laid claim to being the oldest man in the world to bungee jump - at the tender age of 96.

Mr. Keet bungeed off the 216 metre Bloukrans Bridge which joins the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, at about 11:30 SAST. His daughter, Ellen van der Nett, and his grand-niece, Yvette Kruger, jumped immediately afterwards.

It was Mr. Keet’s fifth jump, and his fourth at this venue.

The Bloukrans Bridge has been certified by Guinness World Records as the highest bungee bridge in the world. Face Adrenalin which runs the bungee operation at Bloukrans, will now apply to have Mr. Keet recognised as the oldest bungee jumper ever.

“Mr. Keet jumped in the presence of a chartered accountant and registered auditor, Barries Ferreira, and Rogan Hindmarch of the Mountain Club of South Africa - both of whom fulfil the criteria for judging world record attempts,” said Face Adrenalin’s Devan Tuohey.

“If his application is accepted - and I see no reason why it shouldn’t be - he’ll beat the world record by ten years.”

Speaking before the event, Mr. Ferreira said, “Basically we’re going to verify Mr. Keet’s age from his birth certificate - which we’ve got - and also that it’s actually him jumping, and that he completes the jump.”

Besides members of his family, Mr. Keet was attended by Riaan and David Botha, paramedics from Emcare in Plettenberg Bay. Riaan reported after the jump that “his blood pressure was absolutely perfect!”

Face Adrenalin pioneered the technique of winch recovery for all bungee jumpers. This means that a recovery specialist was lowered to bring Mr. Keet back to the bungee platform on the arch of the bridge. From there, Mr. Keet walked back to the jump village, pausing a little on the way to catch his breath.

Mr. Keet’s daughter, Lucille, said that her father had always lead an active life - and that he’d taken his sisters on the rides at Ratanga Junction, gone river rafting, and parachuted – all at the age of 86.

“86 was a big year for him,” she said.

Both daughters said that Mr. Keet had always been a major inspiration for the family, and Ms. Van der Nett, who works with the aged, said that he still kept himself fit, and paid special attention to keeping his mind active.

Asked afterwards how he felt about his experience, Mr. Keet - who looked remarkably relaxed before going out onto the bridge - said, “It was too short!”

But, he said, there was more he wanted to do - like tandem sky diving in Mossel Bay.

If Mohr Keet can do it, so can you! Especially if you're stuck for things to do during the last days of the school holidays, why not try bungee jumping?