I went Skydiving and Lived to tell the Story

I love adventures, but I’m NOT an adrenaline junkie. Skydiving has been a cool thing to do for a while now; two of my best friends went skydiving about 5 years ago and raved about it. Personally, I wasn’t particularly interested in jumping out of a plane at 10,000 feet. I like solid ground, thank you!

I’ve thought about skydiving on and off and decided that I would only do something as crazy as this if I was doing it with the best views. So, I picked Switzerland or New Zealand as the only two places in the world that I would skydive. It was half cop-out, half challenge. Cop out because I had no immediate plans to visit either place. Challenge in that if I did have the privilege of going, then I already had something I’d committed to. This was definitely one of the highlights of my most recent trip. I’m sharing my steps to skydiving as a non-adrenaline junkie, enjoy!

 

Set a Goal and Tell Your Friends

I went to Switzerland this year, didn’t even consider skydiving. Then, New Zealand! Still unsure, I went through New Zealand and could’ve skydived in Fox Glacier or Wanaka but I didn’t. Then I got to Queenstown! My last stop, last chance. My friends told me go to for it (WhatsApp hype groups are the best thing since sliced bread)!

 

Pay For It

Fear! I was afraid, but I also really hate regrets, and the dislike for regret slowly began to overtake my fear of the jump. So, I left the hotel and went to book it. As I chatted with the guy at the desk, something clicked and I decided I was going to go for it. While I was at it, I decided that I might as well jump higher at 12,000 feet.

I paid!  If you pay and don’t show up or cancel, you forfeit your money. It was not cheap, and we DO NOT waste money in my family. I was locked in to skydive in 48 hours.

 

Mind Over Matter

The weirdest thing happened to me: once it was locked in, I was not fearful anymore. I thought it was temporary but the day of the jump arrived, I waited for fear or panic. Nothing! We finally arrived at the zone and got suited up (the googles and hat were NOT cute). I checked my feelings: excitement, no fear. I met my dive master, cool dude. He apparently does this all the time, up to 10 jumps a day during busier times! That put me even more at ease! He told me we’d be jumping out of the plane first. In retrospect, I think this was a good idea, as I didn’t have to freak myself out by watching someone else jump. Now the other ladies in my group…not so calm!

 

Enjoy The Views

Soon we taking off in the plane. I looked out through the window, and my goodness what a sight!! The view of the Remarkables (mountain range) on one side and Lake Wakitapu on the other! Wow! I knew the view was worth the wait. Plus, If I was jumping out of a plane for this view, it’s absolutely worth it!

The plane ride was about ten minutes. In that time, we recorded some clips and the master attached me to himself. We were jumping together after all. He reminded me of where to keep my feet once we jumped off the plane, and when to spread my arms or just pose in general. I was ready. Once he said go. I pushed my head back over my shoulder and tucked my feet under the plane as instructed. Anndddd we were offfff!

Free Falll but Keep Your Eyes Open!

 

FREEE FREAKING FALLL Y’ALL!! Your heart skips a beat or two or three as you well…fall out of the sky. I open my eyes wide and it was AMAAAZZINNGGG!!! Such a rush, better than any roller coaster ride! I got the tab to do whatever and I spread out my arms, did a dab and a shoki (dance moves) somewhere in there. The views, they were to LIVE for. Ahhhh!!! I kept saying ‘Oh My gosh, this is amazing!!!’ And then…

The parachute was released and we were kinda dangling in the air slowly for a few minutes as we came down. Not going to lie, I didn’t enjoy the first minute or so as we got used to being ‘hanging’ around and I can totally see how someone could get nauseous in this phase. The views though were absolutely amazing!!!

Soon…it was over and I was super duper excited. Its one of the coolest, out-of-my-comfort zone things I’ve done and I did not pee in my pants. I High fived my dive master, Did a little boomerang to celebrate, as you do, and I sent messages to let my friends and siblings know I made it down to earth.

 

What Lies On The Other Side of Fear?

Crazy thing though, is that fear is just that! But I (we) give it way too much power over us. I find it crazy that I was no longer afraid once I decided in my mind that I was going for it. This was a stark reminder to me to continue to step out and do things in spite of the fear I feel. Why? Because what lies on the other side of fear: the amazing, the miraculous, and by gosh, is it thrilling!

I also have to admit that having a dive master definitely made the world of difference, it gave me a sense of security having someone experienced  attached to me, jumping with me, assuring me, and telling me to enjoy the ride. Isn’t this how life with God in the driver’s seat is supposed to be? I totes had a Isaiah 41:10 and Joshua 1:9 moment/epiphany.

Have you been skydiving? How would you describe it? Is it on your list of planned adventures? As for me, I’d totally do it again, and this time from 15,000 feet!

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Have a cracking week! Till next week,

Ms. Heels!