First time I leapt from a moving plane was in 2002, for cousin Rebecca’s birthday. We had a huge crew and it was one of the best days of my life!
2004, Perris Valley, California
When I found out Remote Jacek was a licensed skydiver, I knew dive number 2 was somewhere in my future. Monday, 10 of us ridiculous Remotes drove out to Klatovy to get out kicks flying through the air.
Jacek in his element!
He normally smiles a lot, but I think he is just too overwhelmed with happiness to smile here!
Jacek leading the group in a slow mo Top Gun style walk.
On the first dive, the airplane exit was on the side of the plane, and I dropped out sideways. In Klatovy, their planes have a rear door. You have to walk to the edge and look out below you. This was waaaay cooler than the side drop, and an incredible way to start the jump!
Interestingly, I was not really scared, or even that excited about the jump. It was weird. Maybe because I’ve got 2 paraglide flights under my belt, I was a bit more comfortable? Or, the fact that my tandem dive guy had jumped over 15,000 times?
Don’t get me wrong--it was AWESOME and I loved it. But, I miss the stomach butterflies that were flying around for my first time!
Guess I’ll just have to do a solo jump next time!
4 of us were on the first plane -- Kelly, Signe, Brecht and I after the jump!
Here are some pics. First, Travis, our Remote Year Community Manager...
Next, Samantha...our Remote Year Operations Manager...
Travis and Samantha embracing! We sometimes call them Tramantha. Here, they are definitely one entity: Tramantha.
The Tramantha embrace got them all tangled up!
Eric and Adam got to wear cool diving suits! I just jumped in my plain clothes. At least I got goggles though.
Paige coming in hot!
Paige and Adam are on cloud 9 after their landings!
Probably the best shot I got --- Eric landing right near us.
If you've never tried skydiving, I highly recommend it! It is so beautiful to see the country from so high up. It's incredible to be able to fly through the clouds. And, flying through the air is an indescribable feeling.
