I recently became aware of a competition via facebook which brought back some wonderful memories and a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which I took advantage of a few years ago.
'Embrace The Fear' is the slogon used by a skydiving company (NZONE) in New Zealand, who operate out of Queenstown on the south island, and Rotorua in the north.
The plane featured in this picture is the actual one which I jumped out of on 18th November 2008 in the picturesque and beautiful Queenstown...my spiritual home ~ and I possess the certificate to prove it!
They say you should do something every day which scares you...well, falling out of a plane at 15,000 feet is pretty terrifying isn't it? Lol.
The background of this momumental event arises whilst I was holidaying in NZ, which in itself was one dream realised, but I also always fancied completing a skydive too.
I was in a hotel in Christchurch when I discovered a brochure at reception from a company called 'NZone - The Ultimate Jump'. I immediately went on-line and on the spur of the moment booked a flight and dive at 9,000 feet for the following day.
On my arrival at the shop in Queenstown where you pay for your skydive and go through all the neccesary paperwork, I found two Chinese girls who were going to jump at the middle height of 12,000 feet, and a young American lad who had signed up to skydive from the maximum height of 15,000 feet. I had a liitle chat with him and he was extremely nervous. When I went to pay for my jump, I was asked if I fancied upgrading to a higher height. I took one look at the American and decided to offer him some support, so I amended my jump to the maximum height...and I'm so glad that I did.
When I agreed to move up to this higher height, I had to sign a waver on medical grounds. I swear this was the only time that I felt slight concern. Apparantly, once you go above 13,000 feet you rise sharply to the next drop zone, which may result in the need of oxygen! Fortunately, this wasn't required and I was able to enjoy the entire flight and jump unaided, other than being attached to my instructor of course.
Once the neccesary forms were signed, next of kin not withstanding, we were transported by mini-bus to a private airfield just outside Queenstown on the main highway near Kingston. On arrival at the airfield we were informed of our drop times and called in to receive the appropriate training 15 minutes before we were due to go up.
As this point I thought I'd be feeling nervous but suprisingly I wasn't. I especially thought that the flight itself would be when the terror set in, but amazingly this was unbelievably enjoyable too!
The views as we rose above the mountains and lakes were spectacular.
I was sat with my backside on the floor at the back of the plane, as I was the last to jump, and once the Chinese girls had jumped out at 12,000 feet, it only left me and the American Lad. I was then advised to sit on my instructors lap whilst he strapped us and harnessed us together, and once the American lad had parted us with his company I was on my own with my instructor. I shuffled on my bum across to the open side door of the plane and gently eased myself over the edge.
OMG!
The rush was instant. All the weight of the wind pressing against your face caused me to temporarily forget my instructions, but I soon remembered. Initially you're supposed to arch your back until your instructor taps you on the shoulder, then it's a case of arms and legs outstretched and enjoy the ride!
You travel at 200km/per hour for the first 10,000 feet which lasts for about 1 minute.
During this freefall as you hurl towards the ground at such speed, you really have no sense of depth because you are so far up in the air.
Once we passed through some clouds the spectacular Queenstown scenery was evident.
We witnessed the numerous surrounding mountains including the majestic Coronet Peak, and overlooked the magnificent Lake Wakatipu, and then suddenly my instructor pulled the parachute cord and we seemed to be fly back upwards. I was then allowed to guide us down until the final few hundred feet when my instructor took over to make sure we landed where we were supposed to.
We gently touched down and a feeling of euphoria took over. I embraced my instructor, Howard, and thanked him for guiding me safely down to earth, unhooked my attachments and tried to walk back to the hanger...once I got back my land legs!
It was an unbelievable experience.
A funny thing happened whilst I was awaiting for the minibus back into town.
I was watching some further skydivers completing their jumps when I noticed a rather sad looking guy nearby. I went to speak to him to ask what was wrong. He informed me that he had just completed his final solo skydive, which would determine whether he had attained the neccesary expertise and experience to be classed as a qualified skydiver. Unfortunately, although he had landed safely...he had actually landed in the wrong field!
Just as he was telling me this, a skydiver with a hand-held CAM recorder filming another jumper directly after him, came crashing back down and went head first into a telegraph pole. He got up immediately, although he was obviously a little shaken and embarrassed, and we both start laughing before I said,
"Well, at least you didn't do that!".
Sometimes people ask me would I do it again and I always say no.
Not because I'm scared to do it again, but I'll be afraid that the experience wouldn't be as exhilarating as my virgin skydive, plus I honestly couldn't believe that I could repeat a jump over such wonderful scenery.
If an opportunity ever came my way however, like maybe a sponsored charity skydive, then I wouldn't hesitate to volunteer though.
But if you ever get the chance to jump out of a plane, preferably with a parachute attached, then go for it.
The thrill and buzz is amazing. To pass through the clouds as you head back down to earth is an exhilerating experience, and it's the biggest rush that I have so far enjoyed.
Like I say the concept of height becomes insignificant, because you are so high...literally! Lol.
Ramblin' Steve
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