After thinking for a few years, finally we had a concrete plan to go for it – skydiving.
I must say the adventurous cells are mainly bred by the environment – there are good places to skydive in Australia, it’s a common activity in this country, it’s being promoted in almost every tourism publication/brochure especially those for backpackers. In addition, I got a few friends here, whom I always explore new things with, and one mentioned to me that he dreams to skydive too.
This has become my beautiful ending trip before the plan to temporarily leave Australia was carried out.
A few of my friends finally decided to join me for the trip (that was actually out of my expectation coz one said I’m crazy when I first mentioned to him). I then made a booking for 5 people, and get a $30 discount per person. The discounted cost is $235 each for a 10,000 feet jump.
After getting lost and being late for approximately an hour after the appointed time (10am), we eventually arrived at the Kooralbyn Resort. I was quite lucky coz I did the dive not long after registration and payment, unlike some of my other friends who waited for quite some time.
I paid another $145 for a recorded video and photos. When the photographer cum diver asked me how did I feel (she asked if I felt nervous), I wasn’t nervous at all. Instead, I was extremely excited and eager to jump ASAP as I’ve dreamt to do that for a few years. I was thinking to do that in Cairns, but I don’t wish to go to Cairns before I can or am prepared to scuba-dive.
It was just a simple few minutes briefing from the instructor covering the equipment, freefall techniques, how to exit the aircraft and what to expect on my first skydive. Then I boarded the aircraft with another 5 people (the pilot, my photographer, my instructor and another pair of diver-instructor). It was fairly packed in the small aircraft. I sat back-to-back with the pilot and there was actually not much room for movement.
Sitting with bent legs, I was worried that my legs would be numbed when I got to jump. Luckily this didn’t happen. When the aircraft ascended to the height for us to jump, the view was truly amazing but I started to feel a little nauseous. Maybe it was coz of the air pressure, the stuffiness and/or coz I was actually “moving backward” in a going forward transport.
Up to a certain height, I was then securely harnessed to my instructor. The door of the aircraft was opened and the lady photographer moved out first. When my legs were outside the aircraft while I was still sitting, I could feel the extremely strong wind. My half-legs outside the aircraft seemed to fly away. I looked down. It was high. Although the view was awesome, you will most probably forget about the beautifulness when you are not there just to look at the scene but are about to jump down from such a height.
What happened next?
I jumped out from the aircraft together with my instructor (that’s why it’s called “tandem skydive”). I was supposed to cross my arms for the first 3-4 seconds till my instructor gave me a signal to open my arms. Then the lady photographer “flying” just opposite me took video/photos for me during the freefall at terminal velocity. The freefall lasted for around half a minute, then the parachute opened. After that, my instructor and I “flew slowly” in the air and landed after awhile. The lady photographer floated back to earth (by herself with her parachute) earlier than us.
If we do not pay for photos, only video will be taken, and there will not be a special photographer jumping together. Instead, the instructor will have a special device put on his wrist which records the video. The parachuting moment will also be included in the video (not just the freefall and landing).
As such, it’s impossible to have 2 divers who want photos to be taken in a same aircraft. There is no space for an additional person to fit into the aircraft.
I tried parachuting before in Thailand in 2002. It was not exciting enough as it was dragged by a speed boat in the sea (but a lot of people did not dare to try and I couldn't understand why). This time, it’s considered much freer coz we were not attached to/constrained by anything although I was guided by an experienced instructor and he’s actually the one doing mostly everything.
In addition, the feeling was more comfortable than riding on a roller coaster. For the latter, I felt that my heart seems to “drop out” from my body and sometimes it could cause a little dizziness. But sky-diving (especially during the freefall) didn’t give me such feelings. I was just feeling excited. The view was so nice when I looked down from the sky, and I could feel the wind and the air around. To be honest, I did not wish to land so soon. But I couldn’t.
When we were about to land, I was asked to have my legs up in a parallel position with the land, coz the instructor’s legs were the ones that should do the landing. Nothing was actually difficult (for an inexperienced diver just like me). We just need to have the gut to jump down from 10,000 feet height and believe that everything will be alright.
I’m glad that I was the first one to jump among my friends, as I was the one who suggested to go sky-diving. And I like/wish to tell people how I felt instead of listening to them for the “first impression”.
It was funny that among all, Yen, as the oldest person and who we always assume is the bravest person, used the word “horrible” to describe his feeling after his jump. All the other 4 (including me) just felt fun and exciting although they were nervous before trying.
At the end of the day, each of us got a certificate for our first dive, as well as the DVD containing video and/or a CD containing photos which we paid for. Along with these, there were a new and unforgettable experience in life, excitements, good memories and knowing that we are able to do something which we thought we could not do.
Of course, while thinking about all these good stuffs, please, do not consider the amount of money which has been paid. $380 is not a truly big amount, but it’s not small too. It’s equivalent to around RM1000. Not everybody will spend money like this.
For me, there’s nothing wrong for us to work for money and then spend the money to fulfill our dreams. Otherwise, what do we work for?
If you are eager to skydive, and if you meet the few criteria listed below, then you are ready to go.
- weight below 100kg
- has general good health and fitness level
- aged at least 18 (else you need parental consent)
I must say the adventurous cells are mainly bred by the environment – there are good places to skydive in Australia, it’s a common activity in this country, it’s being promoted in almost every tourism publication/brochure especially those for backpackers. In addition, I got a few friends here, whom I always explore new things with, and one mentioned to me that he dreams to skydive too.
This has become my beautiful ending trip before the plan to temporarily leave Australia was carried out.
A few of my friends finally decided to join me for the trip (that was actually out of my expectation coz one said I’m crazy when I first mentioned to him). I then made a booking for 5 people, and get a $30 discount per person. The discounted cost is $235 each for a 10,000 feet jump.
After getting lost and being late for approximately an hour after the appointed time (10am), we eventually arrived at the Kooralbyn Resort. I was quite lucky coz I did the dive not long after registration and payment, unlike some of my other friends who waited for quite some time.
My instructor was setting me up whilst my photographer was talking to me.
I paid another $145 for a recorded video and photos. When the photographer cum diver asked me how did I feel (she asked if I felt nervous), I wasn’t nervous at all. Instead, I was extremely excited and eager to jump ASAP as I’ve dreamt to do that for a few years. I was thinking to do that in Cairns, but I don’t wish to go to Cairns before I can or am prepared to scuba-dive.
It was just a simple few minutes briefing from the instructor covering the equipment, freefall techniques, how to exit the aircraft and what to expect on my first skydive. Then I boarded the aircraft with another 5 people (the pilot, my photographer, my instructor and another pair of diver-instructor). It was fairly packed in the small aircraft. I sat back-to-back with the pilot and there was actually not much room for movement.
A photo with the pilot before anything started.
Sitting with bent legs, I was worried that my legs would be numbed when I got to jump. Luckily this didn’t happen. When the aircraft ascended to the height for us to jump, the view was truly amazing but I started to feel a little nauseous. Maybe it was coz of the air pressure, the stuffiness and/or coz I was actually “moving backward” in a going forward transport.
Up to a certain height, I was then securely harnessed to my instructor. The door of the aircraft was opened and the lady photographer moved out first. When my legs were outside the aircraft while I was still sitting, I could feel the extremely strong wind. My half-legs outside the aircraft seemed to fly away. I looked down. It was high. Although the view was awesome, you will most probably forget about the beautifulness when you are not there just to look at the scene but are about to jump down from such a height.
What happened next?
I jumped out from the aircraft together with my instructor (that’s why it’s called “tandem skydive”). I was supposed to cross my arms for the first 3-4 seconds till my instructor gave me a signal to open my arms. Then the lady photographer “flying” just opposite me took video/photos for me during the freefall at terminal velocity. The freefall lasted for around half a minute, then the parachute opened. After that, my instructor and I “flew slowly” in the air and landed after awhile. The lady photographer floated back to earth (by herself with her parachute) earlier than us.
(above) Jumped out from the plane.
(below) Freefalling session, yeah!
If we do not pay for photos, only video will be taken, and there will not be a special photographer jumping together. Instead, the instructor will have a special device put on his wrist which records the video. The parachuting moment will also be included in the video (not just the freefall and landing).
As such, it’s impossible to have 2 divers who want photos to be taken in a same aircraft. There is no space for an additional person to fit into the aircraft.
I tried parachuting before in Thailand in 2002. It was not exciting enough as it was dragged by a speed boat in the sea (but a lot of people did not dare to try and I couldn't understand why). This time, it’s considered much freer coz we were not attached to/constrained by anything although I was guided by an experienced instructor and he’s actually the one doing mostly everything.
In addition, the feeling was more comfortable than riding on a roller coaster. For the latter, I felt that my heart seems to “drop out” from my body and sometimes it could cause a little dizziness. But sky-diving (especially during the freefall) didn’t give me such feelings. I was just feeling excited. The view was so nice when I looked down from the sky, and I could feel the wind and the air around. To be honest, I did not wish to land so soon. But I couldn’t.
When we were about to land, I was asked to have my legs up in a parallel position with the land, coz the instructor’s legs were the ones that should do the landing. Nothing was actually difficult (for an inexperienced diver just like me). We just need to have the gut to jump down from 10,000 feet height and believe that everything will be alright.
Landed.
I’m glad that I was the first one to jump among my friends, as I was the one who suggested to go sky-diving. And I like/wish to tell people how I felt instead of listening to them for the “first impression”.
It was funny that among all, Yen, as the oldest person and who we always assume is the bravest person, used the word “horrible” to describe his feeling after his jump. All the other 4 (including me) just felt fun and exciting although they were nervous before trying.
At the end of the day, each of us got a certificate for our first dive, as well as the DVD containing video and/or a CD containing photos which we paid for. Along with these, there were a new and unforgettable experience in life, excitements, good memories and knowing that we are able to do something which we thought we could not do.
"Graduated" skydivers.
Of course, while thinking about all these good stuffs, please, do not consider the amount of money which has been paid. $380 is not a truly big amount, but it’s not small too. It’s equivalent to around RM1000. Not everybody will spend money like this.
For me, there’s nothing wrong for us to work for money and then spend the money to fulfill our dreams. Otherwise, what do we work for?
If you are eager to skydive, and if you meet the few criteria listed below, then you are ready to go.
- weight below 100kg
- has general good health and fitness level
- aged at least 18 (else you need parental consent)
6 comments:
you enjoy life alot haan! how cool is that! ;)
oh it's u andrew. finished your bangkok & chiang mai posts yesterday! i was a bit crazy last time, and i hope to continue being so in my life :)
that's really great! i really admire that! live it up always haan! ;)
OMG, that is so freaking cool!!! I also want to go...
wow... i miss those days in new zealand.... >"< wanna go back again one day i dont have the certificate btw...
but u got very nice photos!
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