Tandem Skydive - safely back on terra firma
http://www.justgiving.com/breastcancercampaignskydive
So, I survived my skydive!! Woohoo! What a rush. I was sooo scared on the run up to it; I didn't sleep properly for the two nights previous and I did everything possible to try to not think about it. On the day I was the first one out of my group of mates to go up, so I had no idea what to expect.
We got there at 11:40am and signed in, and had our briefing with a really quite fit bloke (I concentrated on the safety briefing, really I did!!). We learned the three golden rules - 1) Don't touch the instructor (damnit); 2) Don't touch the kit; and 3) Try not to dribble, it's like going through a car wash for them (eewwwwww!). We learned how to "do the banana", which is the position you need to get into for freefall and isn't nearly as sexy as it sounds. Basically you lean you head and shoulders back, arch your back as much as possible, and pick your feet up as high as you can.
About 20 minutes after the briefing I heard my name over the tannoy calling me over to meet my intructor, who turned out to be the fit bloke from the briefing! Result!! I'd paid extra for a cameraman to go up with us and record it, as by that point I felt so sick that I was sure I'd never do anything like this ever again. I got my jumpsuit, harness and really gimpy safety hat on (seriously, who designed that?), and we walked over to the plane, where I basically sat in my instructor's lap so he could do the harness up. Not that I was complaining about the cramped conditions, oh no.
20 mins later and we were at 13,000 feet, and I was dangling out of the plane, doing the banana with the cameraman clinging to the side of the plane recording us (nutter!!). I can't describe how it felt on the way down. I just can't. I do remember telling my intructor that I could stay up there all day, it was so totally amazing.
Anyway, I've rambled on. My Justgiving site (I did do this for charity, not just kicks!) is still open for donations and will be for a while - all contributions are very very welcome and gratefully received!! -
http://www.justgiving.com/breastcancercampaignskydive
And there are some pic's below the cut, just to prove I did it!
Waiting nervously before the briefing
13,000 feet up, trying to "do the banana" and not looking down!!
At 11,000 feet, doing 120mph and with the pilot doing a spectacular nosedive behind us (we were the last out of the plane, and he landed before we did). You wouldn't believe how much my face was flapping. Seriously, cheeks should not be able to do that. The dvd is hilarious.
Coming in for a safe landing
All done! (Can I go again?!)
With my certificate in hand
http://www.justgiving.com/breastcancercampaignskydive
So, I survived my skydive!! Woohoo! What a rush. I was sooo scared on the run up to it; I didn't sleep properly for the two nights previous and I did everything possible to try to not think about it. On the day I was the first one out of my group of mates to go up, so I had no idea what to expect.
We got there at 11:40am and signed in, and had our briefing with a really quite fit bloke (I concentrated on the safety briefing, really I did!!). We learned the three golden rules - 1) Don't touch the instructor (damnit); 2) Don't touch the kit; and 3) Try not to dribble, it's like going through a car wash for them (eewwwwww!). We learned how to "do the banana", which is the position you need to get into for freefall and isn't nearly as sexy as it sounds. Basically you lean you head and shoulders back, arch your back as much as possible, and pick your feet up as high as you can.
About 20 minutes after the briefing I heard my name over the tannoy calling me over to meet my intructor, who turned out to be the fit bloke from the briefing! Result!! I'd paid extra for a cameraman to go up with us and record it, as by that point I felt so sick that I was sure I'd never do anything like this ever again. I got my jumpsuit, harness and really gimpy safety hat on (seriously, who designed that?), and we walked over to the plane, where I basically sat in my instructor's lap so he could do the harness up. Not that I was complaining about the cramped conditions, oh no.
20 mins later and we were at 13,000 feet, and I was dangling out of the plane, doing the banana with the cameraman clinging to the side of the plane recording us (nutter!!). I can't describe how it felt on the way down. I just can't. I do remember telling my intructor that I could stay up there all day, it was so totally amazing.
Anyway, I've rambled on. My Justgiving site (I did do this for charity, not just kicks!) is still open for donations and will be for a while - all contributions are very very welcome and gratefully received!! -
http://www.justgiving.com/breastcancercampaignskydive
And there are some pic's below the cut, just to prove I did it!
Waiting nervously before the briefing
13,000 feet up, trying to "do the banana" and not looking down!!
At 11,000 feet, doing 120mph and with the pilot doing a spectacular nosedive behind us (we were the last out of the plane, and he landed before we did). You wouldn't believe how much my face was flapping. Seriously, cheeks should not be able to do that. The dvd is hilarious.
Coming in for a safe landing
All done! (Can I go again?!)
With my certificate in hand
http://www.justgiving.com/breastcancercampaignskydive