On January 19th, 2007 Mary took up her Christmas present from Michael
and went skydiving for the first time. It was Skydiving
the Beach over the beautiful south coast beaches of Sydney and
Wollongong.
|
|
|
|
Such a wonderful place to do your first skydive - over the
southern beaches.
|
Getting suited up. Luke, my instructor, was still in the
air so I had another staff member help me get started.
|
|
|
|
|
You actually go out of the plane on your knees - so you don't
forget to pray (I assume!). Learning the "start position".
|
Well, there is the plane - now is the time to back out -
NOT!
|
|
|
|
|
And off we go. The takeoff was a bit windy and was a bit
hairy!
|
But the scenery was great.
|
|
|
|
|
More scenery on our way up to 14,000 feet.
|
Happy and relaxed - the jump is a way off yet!
|
|
|
|
|
Now we are getting closer and the tension shows.
|
OK - this is it!
|
|
|
|
|
I was first in the stick - knees over the edge of the door,
nothing to hang onto and feeling very insecure and utterly
terrified!
|
It's not funny Luke - I am not amused, just petrefied.
|
|
|
|
|
Luke makes sure we are in position -
|
And out we go. Notice how a 250 kph fall straight down makes
your hair look great and does wonders for the skin! Such a
pretty shot!
|
|
|
|
|
My God! I actually did it!
|
Wow! This is unreal. The smile is frozen onto my face!
|
|
|
|
|
If we stop could spinning, I think the view would be wonderful.
|
There was actually no sense of falling - just flying
|
|
|
|
|
The last few seconds of free-fall.
|
The chute kicks in - it was a disappointment really. You
know you only have about 5 minutes left.
|
|
|
|
|
But now I can look around and enjoy the view.
|
Having a go at flying the chute - pull down to turn!
|
|
|
|
|
This is really fun.
|
Great view and wonderful experience.
|
|
|
|
|
Relaxed and enjoying the ride.
|
The adrenalin is still pumping though.
|
|
|
|
|
First view of our landing zone - looks like an oval - right
in the middle of the photo.
|
I think I will let Luke take over now and just enjoy the
last look around. We did a little practice for the landing
position - hands under knees and feet up.
|
|
|
|
|
The landing zone seemed to come up VERY quickly.
|
First you see it - and then you are there
|
|
|
|
|
Unfortunately it is almost over now.
|
Coming down - positioned correctly, naturally!
|
|
|
|
|
Michael's view of it all.
|
We were first out of the plane and last to land. So I guess
I got my money's worth!
|
|
|
|
|
Whoo hoo - that was fabulous!
|
Great ride Luke.
|
|
|
|
|
Victory over one more fear. Luke did mention that a couple
of months ago they had their oldest customer. She was 99 years
old.
|
"Thanks for the memories"
|
