My First Tandem Skydive (And My Second Too!)
It was a busy day at Dillingham Airfield. Tourists and locals piling up for their first tandems. Old timers squeezing in with the newbies. There was a slight overcast in the sky but the day felt perfect.
Today, 3rd of April 2009, would be monumental. I have dreamt of this moment -- to fall out of the sky.... To free fall.... To feel free.... And it is going to happen.
I felt safe with my tandem master, JC Colcasure (superstar skydiver!). A friend of Benj, we had dinner with him, his wife and his cute, heavenly daughter the night before at their lovely home in North Shore. I have to subdue my excitement to make sure I ask the right questions. What happens if you get a heart attack (I saw this on TV once!)? When do I pull? Where do I pull? How do I maneuver? What should I expect?
Benj is my video master. Armed with a CX100 HD camera, he is ready to test his new gadget. And I am excited to document this unforgettable moment in my life or perhaps the last moment of my life! You never know!
This video says it all. I don't have the words to describe this experience. It was out-of-this world, nerve-wracking, ultimate high, heart thumping hell-of-a-ride!!! It felt so good, I did it again!!!
My second time is with another friend of Benji's, Herb Eskelson. Grew up in the airstrip. Parents are both skydivers back in the days when skydiving wasn't safe. This time we went higher. So we jumped longer. We did a sommersault jumping off the plane. We went in circles. And in circles. We flew like Superman. I felt the rain on my face falling through the clouds. Not very pleasant! And then the chute open and we were cruising over North Shore. Oh how beautiful it is up there!
Definitely something I would do again. And again. And again....
To Benj who got me into this, thank you. My life is richer. You rock!
(Note: Photos 1, 4 & 6 c/o Benj)
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