Through The Sky I’m Falling

Just imagine the anticipation as the hatch is opened, the wind gusts in, you have the feeling that this is now somehow real. You creep to the edge of the plane, little squares of your planet wink back. Then, from 13,000 feet above ground, you push yourself from the doorway, and begin your plunge.For the next sixty seconds or so, you are screaming through the air at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour, the wind so loud you can’t even hear yourself speak.During this freefall, the slightest movements of your body control heading, speed and position; and in the quickest minute of your life, you fly for 8,000 feet.

At about 5,000 feet the moment of truth comes.With one yank of the most important cord in your life, your momentum is lifted upward, and your hell-bent descent becomes a peaceful glide.Phew!The final five minutes of your incredible ride is literally a breeze. And as you float down from high above the sky of central Texas, and all the previously imperceptible little dots become identifiable images, a certain serenity fuses with all the adrenaline coursing through your body.It’s an indescribable mix, and a fix that can be scored right here in Austin.

“My favorite sport has always been skiing, because I just love the rush you get from it.But now ...I think this is going to be my sport,” said Nicole Martin, shortly after completing her first-ever jump.“It’s better than sex.”

There are three different styles for first-time jumpers.The accelerated freefall, or AFF, “is the favorite choice for newbies,” according to tandem master, Jason Hollingsworth.To perform an accelerated freefall, divers must take a day-long class teaching them the basics of packing a chute, checking altitude, pulling the cord and landing.Students make their dives with, but free from jumpmasters, who coach the students during their fall.

On tandem jumps, divers are attached to an instructor for security.The instructors are able to stay with the jumpers during the duration of the flight and can teach and point out things to the rider after the parachute opens.Students are allowed to steer and land, and often pull their own chutes.The main benefit of tandem jumping is that one can forgo the all-day training and take a simple hour of instruction before being allowed to skydive.

Static-line jumping allows for the enjoyment of skydiving without the freefall.Riders are taken to a height of approximately four thousand feet and their parachutes deploy automatically upon leaving the plane.Static-line jumpers are also tandem-free, but a day-long class must be taken for instructions on steering and safe landing.

The are two locations for Austinites seeking to fly with the birds.Skydive Austin is actually about 45 miles east of Austin, in Lexington, off Highway 696, just past the 77.The center is affiliated with Skydive University, a rigorous program for those studying to be skydiving instructors.Skydive Austin provides certification programs as well as offering basic tandem, static-line and accelerated freefall options for beginners and intermediates.Prices vary from $150 or first-time tandem or static-line jumps to $275 for AFF’s.

A bit closer to home is Skydive San Marcos, located on Highway 80, 13 miles southeast of San Marcos in Fentress.At San Marcos, your first dive must be a tandem jump from 10,000 feet, at which point you can choose to have additional training to complete other styles of freefall or leaps from higher altitudes.A first time tandem jump at Skydive San Marcos is currently $140.

“I’d say if you like adventure, and you like to try new things, you should definitely come on down.If you want your hand held, or you want to do it on your own, either way we’ll work with you,” explains jumpmaster Peter Hapke, selling the thrill of his sport.“We’ve been doing this for years, and we just love to see new people find a passion for what we love.That’s the best”