If you want to know when you jump off the bridge you lost 2 life yes. Here is a way you can prevent that from lost of life (dont work on the courses sorry.)

So when you go and jump (B button) off the bridge you lost 2 life. So do it again but press (A button) with anyone when you jump off the bridge.

you will not have lost a single drop of life. Here is a anther tip there is a cannon next to the sand shore bu you will have to get all 150 stars to then unlock it.

Anther tip when on course 1 you will have a foot race. You will vs green shell but here is the tip. When you go up the course.

You should see the round shapes coming out of big holes in the wall go in the hole you will teleport close to the finish.