SKYDIVING WITH PACIFIC SKYDIVERS
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
by Susie Lee
During World War I & II, soldiers were often deployed into battle fields by air as they jumped out of planes in parachutes. What was once a combat exercise, has today evolved into a popular recreational activity. For over three decades, Pacific Skydivers has been teaching tandem and solo courses to novice and expert skydivers. Beginners experience the full enjoyment of free falling by jumping tandem with a professional skydiver who takes the reins. Pacific Skydivers located in Pitt Meadows, is Vancouver's closest skydiving destination to meet your thrill craving needs.
PREPARATION
I began my ground training by watching a short yet important safety video on skydiving. Next my awesome instructor, Guy, guided me through a simulated skydive experience on the ground. During this time, I learned how to position my body during the whole process of skydiving. After about half an hour of ground training and going through some safety checks with Guy, I actually felt really safe about the whole adventure as I realized how much care and precaution are actually taken prior to the jump. I discovered that our harness actually contained a main parachute and a back up parachute. If for some reason the main parachute is not manually deployed, an automatic activation device will trigger the release of the back up parachute at the altitude of 2,000 feet.
IN THE PLANE
It
seemed as though I stepped back into the 1980's as I squeezed into a neon
pink, skin tight, one piece jump suit. Although it was a flattering color
with light purple and pink arm flap patches, I still felt sorry for anybody
who had to see me in this fitted nylon suit. I definitely was not a sight
for sore eyes.
After a scenic 15 minute plane ride coming out of Pitt Meadows Airport, we were ready to jump out of the plane when we reached our desired altitude of twelve-thousand feet! When the plane door opened, a gusty cool wind filled the cabin. This was actually the most nerve wracking part for me as my stomach began to churn as I realized the reality of what I was about to do.. When I poked my head out of the plane, I felt the turbulent wind shaking me, as if to lure me to come out and play. As my instructor Guy held on to the plane, I positioned myself with my arms crossed over my chest and my legs tucked, while trying to look calm and collected for the camera. At this point, I felt vulnerably exposed as I was not holding on to anything to keep me in the plane. The anticipation was just overwhelming and I was ready to explode, I guarantee you, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about when you try this adventure for yourself.
IN THE AIR
On the count of three, my instructor let go of the plane and I felt a strong forward thrust as the force of gravity hurled us down like a heavy boulder. We catapulted into a full front somersault in the air with my arms and legs still tucked in. My instructor tapped me on the shoulder cuing me to spread my arms out while arching my back to get into the free fall position. Vladdy, the cameraman, joined us face to face to capture my crazy gestures of excitement. I screamed for joy but did not hear anything come out of my mouth so I just smiled and waved my hands frantically with a peace symbol.
We
traveled at a body's maximum acceleration speed of 120 miles per hour,
also known as terminal velocity. Before the jump, I expected free falling
to be like a stomach churning roller coaster ride at its fastest descent.
Strangely enough, I did not feel the sensation of falling but rather the
opposite, I felt as though the pressure of the wind kept us suspended
in the air. I hovered over the earth in all its magnitude and beauty.
And for that moment, I felt free as a bird.
What seemed like 10 seconds of free falling was actually 37 seconds! And before I knew it, I felt a tug as our parachute opened which launched us right side up! I was delighted that my instructor took complete control to land us safely on the ground. The soft landing made a great lasting impression, I felt like a bird's feather softly landing on the ground.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Skydiving was a sensational 'out of this world' experience. The adrenaline from the jumped kept me up for at least two nights. Adrenaline still pumped through my veins as I couldn’t stop reliving the experience of free falling from the sky. My skydiving cameraman, Vladdy sums up my experience the best, “People often live in the past or in the future and sometimes they forget to live in the moment, skydiving makes you live in the moment and that’s what skydiving is all about!”
ADVENTURE TIPS
- Wear running shoes (no sandals)
- Avoid eating right before you skydive (you can imagine the possible consequences)
- Comfortable clothing (might be a good idea to wear shorts so that you can quickly and comfortably get in and out of a jumpsuit which the facility will provide
- Must be 18 years or older
- No alcohol before the jump
- Pacific Skydivers will provide a helmet, jumpsuit and goggles
- Must be under 230 pounds for the First Jump Tandem and Solo course
- Pacific Skydivers offers you the option of having your skydive experience videotaped. Get the video it’s worth the bragging rights!
FUN FACTS
World's largest free fall formation: 400. This record was set February
8, 2006 in Udon Thani, Thailand.
Don Kellner holds the record for the most parachute jumps, with a total
of over 36,000 jumps.
Jay Stokes holds the record for most parachute descents in a single day
at 640.
Hildegarde Ferrea is the oldest person to have completed a skydive jump
- at the age of 99 years old. She completed her tandem jump on February
17, 1996 at Dillingham Field in Oahu, Hawaii
(Source: Wikipedia)
CONTACT:
PACIFIC SKYDIVERS LTD.
Pitt Meadows Regional Airport
#730-11731 Baynes Rd., Hangar #12
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, V3Y 2B3
Telephone: (604) 465-7311
www.pacificskydivers.com
+ Part 1: WIDGEON CREEK CANOEING &
HIKING
+ Part 2: MAKING A BEELINE FOR HONEYLAND
+ Part 3: SKYDIVING WITH PACIFIC SKYDIVERS
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