What we do
On Friday, May 18, 2011, Seneca Waterways Council is holding a remarkable fundraising event: Participants will rappel 309 feet (21 stories) from the roof of the First Federal Building in downtown Rochester, NY.
Almost anyone, 18 or older, who wants the thrill of a lifetime AND enjoys helping the community, can take the challenge.
Proceeds from the event go to support the Urban Scouting program of the Seneca Waterways Council. The council provides service to Rochester youth in many ways. We have over 40 afterschool programs for young men ages 6 through 18. These are traditional Scouting programs but leadership is supplied by the council. Through creative partnerships with local churches the Seneca Waterways Council provides programs for 22% of available youth in Rochester. The Seneca Waterways Council serves 20,000 youth in Monroe, Ontario, Yates, Seneca and Wayne Counties.
How to Qualify
Participants who've collected contributions totaling $1,000 or more from friends and associates who would like to see them rappel from 309 feet, 21 stories, can join. Contributions can be large or small and each rappeller can sign up to begin their fundraising efforts at First Giving.
What to Expect
You will be wearing a full-body industrial harness and using an industrial descender to go down. Squeezing a handle makes you descend, and letting go (or pulling back) makes you stop. You can control your speed to a certain extent. Should you go too fast, or should the equipment fail, the back-up device will engage. Getting your weight off the roof and into the harness is the difficult part for most people. Once you're over the edge you are on your own. Don't forget to stop and take in the view! It will take between 5 and 15 minutes to get to the bottom. The squeezing motion to activate the descender requires quite a bit of force, and using the same hand the entire way down can be tiring. You can stop to rest, or switch hands when you need a break. In general, inexperienced rappellers tend to find themselves with tired hands at the bottom. If you keep your feet on the concrete / glass it is easy to maintain the correct position. You won't spin around or drift into the building. If you push off with your feet you can bounce outward. The further out you bounce, the more difficult it is to keep from getting twisted. Once you're within 20' of the ground, your landing will be assisted by an Over The Edge staff member.
Training
When you arrive on site you will have the opportunity to practice rappelling from a lesser height. This will give you a chance to hang in the harness, find a comfortable position, and practice using the descender. You can practice as often as you'd like before heading to the roof. The same safety procedures are used in the training as in the long rappel so you will be familiar with them when you get there.
What to Wear
You're going to be walking down the side of a building, so wear good shoes. Sneakers, light hikers, climbing shoes, or something with a soft sole. No sandals, slip-on shoes, slippers, flip flops, high heels, or steel toed boots. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Athletic pants, tights, and jeans, are suitable. The harness goes around your legs, waist, and shoulders, so it is best to avoid anything too bulky. Shirts should be comfortable and without draw cords. Long hair should be tied back. You will check in droppable items like keys and cell phones, or jewelry that can get caught on things, with a staff member on-site. You will be given a pair of leather gloves and a helmet when you arrive.
Cameras and Phones
We constantly worry about objects being dropped over the side. If you want to bring your camera rappelling, please make sure it has a lanyard that we can use to tie it to your harness. Sorry, no phones on the roof.
What Can I Do To Practice?
The most common complaint from participants after rappelling is that their forearm got sore during the descent. The squeezing motion required isn't hard, but over a long time it can get tiring. Proper technique and switching arms makes a lot of difference, but using a squeeze ball once in a while doesn't hurt either. Go rock climbing. Not only does rock climbing strengthen your forearms, but it also allows you to hang in a harness. Although the harnesses we use are different, you will still get the idea of what muscles it takes to stay upright. Get psyched. Tell your friends. You're one of a few special people who will be doing the rappel.
Spectators and Friends
Unfortunately friends of the participants will not be allowed up to the rooftop. But they are welcome to join us on the ground to cheer you on! There will be a staff photographer ensuring that each participant gets pictures of himself or herself going over the edge.
