That Time I Went Skydiving
What an amazing time I had skydiving with my bestie last weekend. Skydiving is an absolute experience of a lifetime!
I’m actually afraid of heights, but apparently my thirst for a thrill outweighed my fear. My friend jumped just two months before with her son and I was on the ground to watch them land. They had the biggest smiles on their faces and I could tell they had the time of their lives. I immediately had FOMO! So the very next day, I told her I thought I wanted to try it too and she said she would “take one for the team”, and go with me.
We arrived a good half hour before our jump to get our paperwork in order and weigh in, but honestly, it wasn’t until we got into the plane that I got nervous.
To be completely transparent, my friend told me what happens when you’re up in the air and that they open the door mid-air. Contrary to every movie you’ve ever seen, you don’t get sucked out of the plane when the door opens. At least not in a small plane at that altitude. Just sayin’…
They took us close to the coast so we could see the ocean and beautiful views of the Channel Islands and we could even see as far as Catalina Island, which is about 67 miles away from Camarillo. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, sunny and 75 degrees. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
As we circled back to our jump spot is when our instructors got us ready. You’re very tightly attached to them, which is actually an extremely safe feeling. Then they open the door back up and have you put your first foot out onto a rather small ledge, and then the other. As you and your instructor are crouched under the wing, he gives the go ahead and away you fall! You actually backflip and free-fall for about 25 seconds, which actually feels more like like 25 minutes. And then finally the they pull the shoot.
Now it’s time to relax and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. It’s amazing how much there is to see from way up high and it’s definitely a peaceful and serene feeling. Until you start thinking about your landing.
As you’re coming in for your landing, you’re thinking of all kinds of things. Am I going to land standing up? Am I going to land on my butt? Is it going to be a rough landing? Or easy peezy? As someone who has had a very rough landing in a hot air balloon, I was just praying it would be nice and smooth. And it was! They have you keep your legs up as you’re coming in and the instructor takes the brunt of the landing for you and tells you when to put your feet down… easy peezy.
It was an absolutely exhilarating experience and to be completely honest, I would do it again in a heartbeat! If I thought my mom wouldn’t kill me, that is.
I very highly recommend Skydive Coastal California. The instructors make you feel so comfortable and at ease. Plus, they’re funny, but professional and make it a truly enjoyable experience. And if you’re contemplating whether or not to go, please do. I don’t think you’ll regret it!
