Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Sports
Introduction to Skydiving
Skydiving is an utterly adventurous sport in which one dives from an airplane or any such height, using a parachute that creates resistance and slows down the falling process. Lots of thrill associated with skydiving goes back to 1797 when a Frenchman named Andre Jacques Garnerin made his first ever recorded decent from a hot air balloon. Skydiving today ranges between 7,500 to 15,000 feet above ground, where an inevitable freefall of 40 to 85 seconds takes place. For many, the experience is simply the most awesome, adrenaline packed adventure ever experienced, which places it firmly on many people's lists of things to do in their lifetime. Whether it's jumping from a plane, helicopter, or hot air balloon, the breathtaking view together with the intense rush creates lifelong memories.
Equipment and Safety
Safety is imperative on this once in a lifetime adventure in order to make the experience smooth and pleasurable. Modern ram air parachutes are designed to inflate and function much like a glider, skydivers can steer themselves gently to the ground, touching down softly and in complete control. Devices like altimeters, which can read height, allow the jumpers to know precisely when to deploy their parachutes. The Automatic Activation Device, or AAD, further offers additional security in deploying the reserve parachute if it detects any delay. These safety devices make the experience as thrilling and fast moving as freefall can be equally safe. For many skydivers, this combination of hard core adrenaline and serene calm at parachute descent creates one of the most incredible feelings they have ever encountered.
Competitive Skydiving
Skydiving has evolved into much more competitive spheres since the first world championships, held in Yugoslavia in 1951. From executing timed acrobatic maneuvers to landing accuracy trials, skydivers have indeed stretched themselves to greater limits in various events. For the absolute ultimate thrill seeker, new events like skysurfing off a tiny, snowboard like platform in the middle of flips and somersaults or blade running, where competitors steer through a course marked by wind flags add an even more radical component. Many competitors say there is no feeling quite like executing tricky maneuvers at breakneck velocities, making competitive skydiving an incredibly stirring yet unusually rewarding competition. It is an unforgettable experience for both participants and spectators alike.
Skydiving Experience
For the first time, jumpers refer to it as one of the most exciting things that have ever happened in life, or probably a life changing experience. Planning during the best season for skydiving spring, summer, or fall increases the experience, since the weather is usually at the best condition and nice looking landscapes in freefall. While the centers in warmer places do offer this adrenalin thrill throughout the year, most of them recommend summer for temperate climates. First time jumpers boast of the heart pounding excitement of the freefall followed by a peaceful glide back to earth as one of the most unforgettable and joyous experiences of their lives. Skydiving is not only thrilling for the majority but also proves to be life changing.
