My first skydive was a tandem one. I went to Skydive Burnaby.
I have always said I would do it. I have tried before and had the plans, but there was a glitch and much to my dismay, I couldn't go. Now, 4 years later, I signed up.
It was Thanksgiving Monday and I went to the drop zone. I signed up and did my training. Then I had a little nap while we waited for our turn.
Time to go, suit up and a little more briefing.
We crossed the field and went to the Twin Otter airplane on the grass runway. Off we go. Are we afraid?
At the door of the plane we count one and then lean out and fall.
The freefall portion of the skydive is a rush. The world getting closer, going through a slight cloud, feeling the push of the wind. It does feel like flying.
Then the chute is out and it isn't the jerk you imagine, it is a strong slowdown as the parachute opens.
Once the chute was deployed Scott my Backpack, aka skydive instructor, advised me that our shoot wasn't fully deployed. There was a twist. I could release it in one of two ways. Kick and spin with my feet, or with the handles. I said "kick", We kicked and spun and it opened. He laughed and stated with amusement, "You aren't afraid at all are you?!" I replied, "No way!" Then we did a few stalls and some spins.
I was amazed at the silence and quiet at that point. During the freefall, the noise of the wind rushing and the snapping of fabric flapping in the wind create a white noise that eliminates any communication. As soon as the parachute is holding you up there, it is peaceful. Scott removed my goggles and we chatted in our normal voices as we floated, spun and controlled the drift toward the drop zone.
It was as much fun as it looked!
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