Skydiving
Start writing a post
Sports

Skydiving

I went on an adventure this weekend and it was phenomenal.

58
Skydiving
Skydiving.com

Spring break is an exciting time for most college students. Whether you're headed on a cruise down to Mexico or finally have time to read that book you've been meaning to fro a while now, spring break is great. The last day of my spring break took a dive. Literally. I went skydiving.

It was nothing like I thought it would be. It was utterly exhilarating and I wasn't afraid like I thought it would be. It was a fantastic experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat if it wasn't so expensive. I will most certainly be doing it again someday.

There was a lot of paperwork. That was the scariest part about it. They had us watch a video as we filled it out. I thought it was going to be a video explaining procedures and such about the dive but that wasn't the case. It was just a fun, lighthearted showcase of a typical dive. It wasn't a class like I thought it would be.

Instead of having you sit through a class of some sort the skydiver you're tandem jumping with is the one who gives you the rundown. Mine was Bob. He was actually really cool. He explained a few simple things about diving to me as I got strapped into the harness. Keep my head and feet back. That was it. I thought that this is the point when I would start feeling the fear creeping in but it wasn't. I really wasn't afraid, oddly enough.

Then we waited. It was probably somewhere between a five and ten-minute wait before they loaded us up on what was basically a hay ride, minus the hay, and transported us over to the runway where a small airplane was waiting for us. Then we boarded. We squished twenty three people into this tiny aircraft, much like sardines in a can (Their comparison, not mine). Then we took off.

Bob was next to me and as we reached out jumping altitude, 13,000 feet, he started strapping me to his own harness, which was the one with the parachute. I was fifth or sixth in line to jump as and I saw the first pair jump I felt a rush of excitement. I expected nerves to be getting the best of me at this point but it was just the opposite. I was ecstatic.

Then it was my turn.

Most people, myself included, wonder if they would have the guts to jump from an airplane 13,000 feet in the air. It's easy. There was no hesitation. As we leaned over the edge and my feet left the plane that was it. I could practically feel the adrenaline pumping through me now.

It doesn't feel like you're falling. You're up so high that during the free-fall the ground doesn't seem to get any closer. You don't feel like you're falling, you feel like you're floating even though you're going so fast that you fall 7,000 is about thirty seconds. I couldn't hear anything past the wind in my ears and I hardly felt it when Bob pulled the chute. Then everything mellowed out. It turned out that the reason I couldn't hear wasn't because of the wind but because of the sudden change in air pressure.

My ears popped with an intense, high-pitched, squishy squeak noise and then I could hear again. Then Bob let me take control of the parachute. Pull left to turn left, pull right to turn right. It was amazing. Then, once he took control again, we did a series of insane spins and such. Gravity wasn't going to win today.

The way the ground slowly got closer and closer was almost disorienting. I felt like a giant almost until my feet touched the ground. The way you just float downwards until everything appears to no longer be scaled for ants is an amazing sensation.

The landing was softer than I anticipated. I landed on my feet with a few uneasy steps and that was the end of it. I was still shaking from the adrenaline and I couldn't stop smiling. That had been an utterly amazing experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I crossed an item off of my bucket list and I couldn't be happier about it. It was just incredible. Don't let the fear hold you back. It'll be worth the experience.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70762
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132379
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments