“Absolutely not! Why would I want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? And besides, I don’t think I ever could!”
My much younger friend was planning to jump and asked if I would join her. Instead, on a glorious June evening, I settled for watching from the bleachers. A small plane flew above us. Moments later, there she was, the orange parachute opening as she curved gracefully above me before landing in the meadow below. Not only did she have a huge smile on her face, but I could see she was attached to a strapping young man. If I was in tandem like her, of course I could do it; once that person decided to exit the plane, I would have to go too!
A seed was planted in my mind.
As time passed I began to plan for my 80th birthday. The plan was to meet with Skydive Vancouver Island skydivers, Allison and Gord, at the field office. I shared my aspiration to make my first jump and throw a big after-party to celebrate. They were endlessly encouraging, and their enthusiastic support went beyond my expectations. The seed had begun to flower!
When the big day arrived, I was both excited and a little nervous, though reassured by all that I’d seen during my follow-up visits to the Skydive office. And I wasn’t jumping alone.
My adventurous friends and I arrived for our training. Here, we practised the “banana posture” for the initial free-fall and the feet-forward approach to ensure a reasonably comfortable landing. After harnessing-up and a short van ride to the Qualicum Beach Airport, we boarded the small biplanes that would fly us back to Nanoose Bay.
The flight was amazing. I was in tandem with Gord, a highly experienced skydiver. Sitting close together on the floor, we shared our limited space in the small plane with Derek, the photographer.
As we took off, it was fascinating to see the already familiar and much loved landscape broaden below. Gord’s voice was reassuring, as he kept me informed about all that was happening.
“As our feet dangled outside the plane, I knew there was no looking back”
To gain sufficient height, we flew up and over the mountains, almost as far as Port Alberni, before circling back. As the little plane climbed higher, over Mount Arrowsmith and Mount Moriarty, I glimpsed the distant gleam of the lakes below. The views were breathtaking.
All too soon, the countdown began. I knew from my briefing that I could still change my mind, however for me, that was not an option!
I felt Gord securing, tightening, and checking my straps and buckles; we were now firmly attached to one another. The door swung up, and far below I could see—in miniature—the Nanoose Bay neighbourhood. As our feet dangled outside the plane, I knew there was no looking back.
Gord and I exited the plane, beginning our thirty seconds of free-fall at an exhilarating 200 km per hour. My only conscious thoughts: this is unbelievable—be a banana!
I could see Derek maneuvering in front of us, gesturing for me to give him a thumbs-up. As I looked across at him, the force of gravity contorted my smile into a massive grin of joy!
“Amazing, brilliant, fantastic. I want to do that all over again!”
All too soon, the chute opened, swinging us upwards before we began our drift back to earth. Gord explained how to hold the chute straps to steer us down and gave me a chance to try it. Woo-hoo! Then he took back control saying, “I want you to relax now and enjoy the ride.”
And I did.
As we gently circled above the earth, I was ecstatic, wishing these moments would last forever. The drop zone came into view; I could see the bleachers packed with family and friends looking up at me. We landed smoothly on our backsides, skimming over the grass before coming to a standstill.
“How are you feeling, Jill?” Gord asked me.
“Amazing, brilliant, fantastic. I want to do that all over again!”
And I still do.
