Skydiving in Mission Beach, Australia
What can I say? The most exhilarating, adrenalin rush I have ever had!
Shuhui and I had initially signed up for the 8000 ft drop, but later decided to pump in the extra cash to get photos for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and also to make it to 10,000 ft for the 30 second freefall. After all, we are not too sure if there is another time that we'll be this crazy again in our lives to jump out of a plane.
The jump is in Mission beach, a good 2 hour drive away from Cairns. Upon arrival we were introduced to the people that we will be jumping in tandem with, I'll be with Geoff while Shuhui jumps with Rob - both really cool guys, as you can see from the pictures. After the introduction, including the other two skydive-photographers who will be jumping with us (for the pictures), we then headed off to an airfield. Apparently, "Jump the Beach" had an office in the place - this was where we put on our jumpsuits (aptly named, I think). We also had to put on the safety straps with all the safety locks. After putting on everything, we tried to walk to an open area for the instruction, and I found it really hard to walk straight. You see, there is a strap between our legs which make it near impossible for your thighs to come together...almost funny to see us walking - as if someone had given us a kick in the groin area.
Anyway, both Geoff and I will be sitting with me between his legs in the plane. At 1 mile before we jump, the pilot will yell out "One mile". Upon hearing this, we will have to sit up and kneel while making our way to the exit. Basically we'll just edge our way out until my knees are about 3 inches out of the plane. Then Geoff will shout "Fold your arms", which I did, and at the word "Go", I'll have to pull my head back and arch while we jump out the plane. After that, Geoff will tap my arms upon which I'll stretch them for the photographer...all while still maintaining that arched body position.
Everything happened as he said it would be, except I didn't know the door of the plane - well, there is no door on the plane. Just imagine driving a car with an open door. Now imagine you're in a plane. Scary, right? And I can actually see the clouds beneath me before the jump...10,000ft is really, really high in the sky. "One mile", yelled the pilot and somehow everything went as planned and my knees are right at the door. ''Fold your arms, head up, and go!" Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Frankly, during the 1st few seconds, it was a complete blur - I have lost all my orientation. All I know is that my back is arched and my arms folded. I think my eyes are closed, and my screaming is just about silent. After all, I'm being pulled by gravity back to Earth. Then I saw the photographer just in front of me, and hence the pose. About 30 seconds of the freefall, Geoff pulled the cord which releases the chute and we just went up and slowly glide while he tells me of the sights that we can see from that height. He even allowed me to take control of the 2 cords which controls the direction of the chute, one to turn left and the other right. Slowly, we made our way back to Mission Beach, our landing site.
Will I do it again if given the chance? Yes, yes, yes. And I think Shuhui would, too. All in all, this must be the greatest adrenalin rush I have ever had. Next time will be 14,000 ft for 75 seconds of freefall.
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most recent update: October 6, 1999
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