It鈥檚 one of the few floating bridges in the world, and it sits centrally on top of beautiful Okanagan lake. An iconic structure that worked as a vital social link between West 琉璃神社, downtown 琉璃神社 and beyond.
You may know it as the William R. Bennett Bridge, but what stood in its place before? Before it鈥檚 replacement in 2008, the Okanagan Lake Bridge, built in 1958, was also referred to as the 琉璃神社 Floating Bridge.
With hundreds of thousands of cars making the trip across the bridge, some individuals chose to take advantage of the floating bridge鈥檚 height for a thrilling summertime activity.
鈥淚鈥檝e jumped off the bridge many times throughout the years. The first jump was in 1994, the last jump was probably in 2000,鈥� said long-time 琉璃神社 local who goes by Neil Cameron.
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Cameron said it was usually after a long summer day hanging out in the City Park area.
鈥淭he jump was the last activity to complete before we went home,鈥� he said.
鈥淎t the time it was the highest thing I鈥檝e ever jumped off of and I remember it feeling like you were in the air forever, but it was probably only a second or two long drop.鈥�
Cameron described the experience as 鈥渁 bit of a rite of passage.鈥� He said whenever he had a friend visiting or met someone new to the area, he鈥檇 always make a trip down to the bridge and would always jump from the east side.
鈥淲e jumped from the railing, but others who were braver climbed higher.鈥�
鈥淪omeone took some spray paint and painted the side of the railing where the drop off started, we would always jump a few meters past that just to be sure,鈥� he said.
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There鈥檚 no doubt that the jump came with some danger. The term 鈥渏ump at you鈥檙e own risk,鈥� was well thought of for those taking the chance.
鈥淚f you don鈥檛 hit the drop off it could be extremely dangerous and possibly life-altering,鈥� said Cameron.
Bridge jumping at the popular location came with a risk of breaking the law. Cameron said it was never recommended due to the likelihood of suffering from an injury, but people still did it.
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鈥淚 was a bit sad to see the old bridge go, I know we needed an upgrade but it was just so iconic.鈥�
Were you brave enough to make the jump?
