It害羞草研究所檚 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 Kelowna, downtown Kelowna and beyond.

You may know it as the William R. Bennett Bridge, but what stood in its place before? Before it害羞草研究所檚 replacement in 2008, the Okanagan Lake Bridge, built in 1958, was also referred to as the Kelowna Floating Bridge.

With hundreds of thousands of cars making the trip across the bridge, some individuals chose to take advantage of the floating bridge害羞草研究所檚 height for a thrilling summertime activity.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e jumped off the bridge many times throughout the years. The first jump was in 1994, the last jump was probably in 2000,害羞草研究所� said long-time Kelowna 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.

害羞草研究所淭he jump was the last activity to complete before we went home,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淎t the time it was the highest thing I害羞草研究所檝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.害羞草研究所�

Cameron described the experience as 害羞草研究所渁 bit of a rite of passage.害羞草研究所� He said whenever he had a friend visiting or met someone new to the area, he害羞草研究所檇 always make a trip down to the bridge and would always jump from the east side.

害羞草研究所淲e jumped from the railing, but others who were braver climbed higher.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淪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,害羞草研究所� he said.

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There害羞草研究所檚 no doubt that the jump came with some danger. The term 害羞草研究所渏ump at you害羞草研究所檙e own risk,害羞草研究所� was well thought of for those taking the chance.

害羞草研究所淚f you don害羞草研究所檛 hit the drop off it could be extremely dangerous and possibly life-altering,害羞草研究所� 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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害羞草研究所淚 was a bit sad to see the old bridge go, I know we needed an upgrade but it was just so iconic.害羞草研究所�

Were you brave enough to make the jump?