My Skydiving Story

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Since I was about nine years old, I have wanted to skydive. Even though skydiving wasn’t big on L.I. it was huge in my mind. Here’s why: (It’ll be short) I was at a friends surprise birthday party, after some time of playing in the backyard, we noticed a parachute descending. That faceless person left a HUGE impression on my little mind. That was the start of my admiration for skydivers.

PRELUDE TO A SKYDIVE

It wasn’t until I was 26 and living in Georgia that I was able to research the avenues of skydiving. After 8 months of researching the internet, contacting Drop Zones in Georgia and Florida and mapping my financial probability, I decided that SKYDIVE DAYTONA would be my first Drop Zone.

During that 8 month period, I spoke to a lot of friends about “jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.” Saturday, 12 June 1999 was the big day. We had to be at the drop zone at 8AM so we decided to drive down after work on Friday night. The group of about 15 friends had slowly dwindled to 4 who actually took the 3 hour drive to Daytona. It was Kris, Gary, Mary and I. Mary couldn’t afford to jump but she wanted to be there when we took the plunge!

We got to Daytona at 2am Saturday, none of us had the money to get a hotel but luckily we drove down in my 1994 Chevy conversion astrovan, it was a hotel on wheels. We parked on the beach and sipped on a few beers.

Around 330am, I was decidedly nervous about the morning; not because of our plans, but because the storm that was rolling in. I was afraid we WOULDN’T be able to jump. But rather then get upset about it. We sat and enjoyed the view as lightening struck the ocean as we finished our beer.

Although I couldn’t sleep, the others tried. It was just hours before we would get in a plane that we wouldn’t land in, that I was able to close my eyes!

I opened my eyes at 720am, 10 minutes before my alarm was set to go off. Now, as I said we couldn’t afford a hotel, so our shower consisted of a quick dip in the ocean. I did, however, make sure we brought toothbrushes and bottled water. So after a few minutes of playing in the water we got in the van and drove 8 miles to the DZ.

THE ARRIVAL We were the FIRST ones to arrive. There was still time to eat at the drop zone restaurant before the staff would show up. It was a beautiful morning all around. The weather was gorgeous, the food was good and the company was outstanding! In just a few short hours we would be freefalling at 120 MPH.

THE JUMP By the time we were done eating, the Drop zone was open for business. I met with Keith Larrett, the manager and the person I’ve been in contact with for almost 5 months. He would be my videographer for my jump. B.K. (Bruce Kovacs) was my jump master. After we signed all the formal paperwork and got the safety briefing, we went practiced our exit and freefall before we got in the plane. This is known as the dirt dive.
Flash to the ride to altitude—it is an amazing site over the east coast of Florida; especially when you are climbing to 13,500ft about the ground. The unity and common fun loving personality in the plane were unique to the world of skydiving and skydivers! I knew I was soon to be addicted. At 13,500ft the pilot signals…”DOOR!” is the word that echo’s its way around the aircraft. After the jumpmasters have “Spotted” the drop zone the exit is all mine.
“ARE YOU READY TO SKYDIVE?” shouts B.K.
“YOU’RE DAMN RIGHT I AM!!’ Is my response.

We get to the door and with a 1, 2, 3 count, we are out! I AM FREE! This is the most amazing feeling I have ever had! The beautiful coastline I told you about is even more beautiful now. The few clouds in the sky are an awesome sight! The winds in my face, the blood in my veins and the life in my soul…have all been amped up!! And I’ve been that way ever since… !