My first skydive wasn’t with Skydive Spaceland Houston…… It was with a “Fly- by- Night“, operation, if you will excuse the pun. As jumpers were paired with tandem “instructors,” I was like the cross-eyed kid picked last for dodge-ball. My “instructor” was a very kind, petite woman. I was a power-lifter who would’ve exceeded the weight requirements with a piece of gum in my mouth. Well Tinker Bell, let’s hope that chute is packed with Fairy Dust. Where’s the landing? “Second star to the right and straight on till morning. “UHHHHH, excuse me???
After a less than controlled spinning decent, she pulled our chute. Our “ramming speed landing” involved my soon- to- be bruised butt digging a trench. No jumpsuit was provided and I will never forget that life -changing deep and unrelenting wedgie. My cargo shorts instantly transformed into hot pants. You’re welcome to assume where the extra fabric went, it was very intimate. Any harder and that wedgie would have been classified as a gender reassignment. I was coughing up cargo shorts for a week.
Fast forward some years, I’m once again staring at a jump door. However, this time I worked the “Google Machine,” armed with a little knowledge and a ton of good reviews. I chose Skydive Spaceland Houston. I’m wearing a jump suit, I went through a training class, and my instructor (Hank) is a great teacher. The landscape below began to resemble a patchwork quilt as the needle on my altimeter climbed. It’s GO TIME.
I do stupid stuff, not because I’m awesome, but because I ate too many paint chips as a kid. I may rock climb, long-distance hike, and white water kayak. But, I also eat too much, drink craft beer, and make tons of bad life choices. Sure there are a few videos of me seal dropping a kayak while on fire, but in fairness that was a double-dare. In the end I’m not a Go-pro, specimen of awesome adventure. So, of course, that one step shortcut to the lobby left me with a dropping sensation. However, it quickly passed and was followed by a need to scream “Hell Yeah!” But, with 55 seconds left of free fall now what? I guess enjoy the view?
Nicholas is an awesome photographer who tried to get my attention, but I was flying. Alright Nicholas I’ll hold your shoe and try to smile at 120mph! But, my face is flapping like a geriatric twerk-off. Not to mention, I’m wearing a bright blue adult onesie. I look so cool. All joking aside, this was the most peaceful 55 seconds of my life. At chute deployment the g-force screamed, “welcome to being alive!” No longer falling at 120mph, there’s absolute silence, as if you’re a leaf drifting upon the breeze.
You want to know if it’s scary? It’s hard to be authentically afraid surrounded by so many professionals. Yet, in fairness, fear’s not always logical. Fear is an assumption of things which have not and may never happen. Fear of failure causes us to never try. Fear of being alone causes us to stay in bad relationships. Fear of the unknown and of what if imprisons us to weekends of reality television, yet never jumping. Screw Fear.
Why jump out of a perfectly good plane? The answer will be different for everyone. Perhaps you want a once in a lifetime thrill or a mark off your bucket list? Yet, maybe, just maybe, it will open your eyes. What if that 55 seconds changes your life? Gravity like death and taxes is an indiscriminate equalizer
- So few of us will face our fears and choose to live. No matter your age, income, race, beliefs, or backgrounds we’re all soaring toward the earth at 120mph. We are all in this process of returning to the ground from which we came.Why waste a good jump?
Take 55 seconds of free fall and let that sink in. Hopefully I’ll see you there.
Great post… It might have inspired me to Juno out of a plane… Maybe
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Jessica it’s so easy. Do some research, find a good place. Walk in and they will take care of the rest. Then you can mention me in your skydiving post as the goofy guy who encouraged your foolhardy behavior. Encouraging foolhardy behavior is after all one of my life goals. Happy jumps my friend.
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Oh this is awesome! I’ve wanted to try for a long time. I don’t know how this will suit for my inner control freak. I’m fine with heights, but only as long as I have total control over what’s going on. Tree out of four limbs holding on on something is good, but a free drop. I would probably totally do it.
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I have some major control issues. And a fare amount of OCD. To me that was kind of the point.
It was nice to let go and fly. Hope you get an opportunity to try it sometime.
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I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that I’ve read all of your stories. I have not. This story that I just read was great! It taught me, made me laugh, and most importantly , it inspired me. Your work is not in vain, it had reached at least one, and I know, many more.
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Thanks buddy. I am super excited for our upcoming trip. Texas 4 highest peaks and some wild caving.
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What an experience! Awesome shots of an inspiring leap of faith. I’ve thought about doing this too one day. 🙂
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Come on Jane. Its a ton of fun.
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Great post! But while I have no issue with very very high mountains you will never catch me jumping out of a plane!
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Come on. From 14,000 feet the cloud tops look like mountains, and canyons. I long to one day BASE jump. I realize this will take years of training, but to jump from a mountain … OH Yeah…
Skydiving may not be for everyone, but in a professional environment it is very safe.
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I made my first jump almost exactly a year ago. I was laughing hysterically the entire time, & I have the photos to prove it. It was kinda cute, actually.
Your jump looks fantastic! So glad you gave it a second chance after the first go-round: that in itself takes some courage.
Here’s to free-falling, adventure seeking, occasional bad-decision-making & generally just enjoying the ride. 🙂
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I love that you laughed the entire time. I am going back for another jump next weekend. I realize it takes years to learn these skills, yet I love the idea of hiking up a mountain and BASE jumping down.
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^^ man after my own heart. 😉 I’m completely jealous already!
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Nice post!!!! … I haven’t a great feeling with sky jump 😀😀😀
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Thanks, I honestly struggle a bit with the luxury of the action. All this equipment, aviation fuel, etc.. For a few minutes of rush. It is certainly a first world sport, but it also taught me so much.
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Awesome post Curt, of an awesome thing to do! I did my first jump last year, and couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for weeks! Mind you, the price I paid was dreaming night after night that I was still falling through an endless universe of blue sky. I would recommend sky-diving to anyone, and everyone, but I will say that in my case, absolutely nothing on earth could have prepared me for the pure, raw, sense of fear as I first left the safety of the plane. Face your fear; YES I did! And the outcome was more exhilarating than I could ever have dreamed of. Great to hear your recount of such an amazing experience 🙂 Leah
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I’m just starting on my certification. I realize it will take a long time, but I want to jump into some where truly wild and then hike out. Or climb a sheer peak and base jump/ wing suit down. Here’s to new adventures.
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OMG, can I come too! That sounds breathtakingly WILD and daring. Go Curt!!! 🙂 Leah
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I takes a ton of classes, and I’m pretty sure your flight time from Australia is like 21 hours to the US. Your for sure welcome to jump off a cliff with me. My mom always told me as a teenager if everyone jumped off a cliff would you go with them. Apparently the answer is YES.
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LOL! 🙂 Mum’s are always right!
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My husband has always said, who would ever jump out of a perfectly fine airplane. Looks like fun but I might just agree with him.
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You never know till you try. Haha…
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This post is absolutely epic. I love the story…and yes, screw fear. Beautifully written as always, and what an incredible adventure! I have been paragliding, but never skydiving….this may have just inspired me to take that leap 🙂
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Awesome. Bring your long lens and enjoy taking pics from the ground, Yet in the plane etc… your not able to use any of your camera gear. It takes 200 jumps to certify to jump with camera gear on your helmet. I look forward to reading your skydiving post.. I’m taking my next jump this Friday.
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