Experiencing the thrill of a lifetime

Cross one more off the ol’ bucket list.
Every once and a while in this job you get a chance to do something out of the ordinary. In my career, that has meant flying with a 95-year-old pilot (who set a world record five years later on his 100th birthday), riding in a hot-air balloon, flying in a biplane, flying in a stunt jet, watching a space shuttle launch, attending major concerts, meeting numerous celebrities, photographing pro sports, shooting paintball guns and participating in Cowboy Action Shooting events.
But of all the incredible things this career has afforded me, nothing comes close to what I experienced last Saturday at Skydive Houston, just south of Waller. That’s right; I went and jumped out of a perfectly good airplane about two miles above the ground.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever beaten the airplane to the ground,” I told my tandem jump instructor, Marcus Harris, after we landed.
On that day, Marcus was my newest and closest friend. I mean that quite literally. When you’re strapped together for a tandem jump, you are in very close quarters.
Let me back this tale up to the beginning. When I learned there was a skydiving business in Waller County, I knew it was a story I’d just have to do. Whether I got to jump or not, adrenaline junkies make great stories and even better pictures.
I contacted owner Todd Bell and we made arrangements for me to come out last Saturday to do a story. A family emergency kept him from meeting with me, but his public relations specialist Thomas Baen filled in quite adequately.
One of the first things you notice when walking onto the Skydive Houston building is the joy and passion expressed by nearly everyone there. Hanging out in their building reminded me of what it’s like in a ski lodge, or a surfing shack or a rock climbing cabin.
People who take risks and enjoy thrills for a living have a special attitude and swagger about them. The attitude is the same even if the sport is different. It’s an air of confidence, if not outright cockiness. But when it comes to safety, they’re as straight-laced as an Army drill sergeant.
Thomas gave a fantastic interview and tolerated well my three, wiggly sons who were in tow. I got to meet and interview others on staff, all of whom were very friendly and enthused about sharing their sport. After the interviews were finished, it was time for me to experience a jump. I was introduced to Marcus, who strapped me into my safety harness and then gave me a quick, two-minute instruction on what to do. Then we boarded the plane and were soon off the ground. It was the first time I had flown facing backwards. It was a strange but enjoyable sensation.
As we climbed to roughly the two-mile mark over Waller County (between 13,000 and 14,000 feet), Marcus strapped us together, tightened everything and gave me some last-minute instructions on how to exit the plane. When we hit the spot, the videographer, Alex Frey, slid open the door and stepped out, holding onto the side of the plane. As soon as we nosed out, he let go and was instantly in our faces as we began the free-fall.
All my nerves and butterflies vanished in an instant as soon as we began to fall. Actually, it feels more like floating than falling. The air was cold and the wind whipped by at more than 120 miles per hour. After about two minutes of free-fall, Marcus pulled the chute open and we jerked to an upright position.
It was instant paradise. It became silent and we slowed to a gentile drift. From that vantage point we could see the Houston skyline and even make out the waters of the Gulf Coast. It was a very peaceful yet exhilarating feeling. After a bit Marcus asked if I got air sick easily. I assured him I didn’t and he offered to do some spins. That was a trip! We spun around rapidly, watching the world spiral ever closer. As we glided closer to a landing I noticed that most of the jumpers on our flight were already down, even though we were first out. Finally Marcus instructed me to lift my legs up for the landing. It was smoother than landing in a plane.
Even though it’s been several days since the jump, my head is still in the clouds. That was easily one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences of my life. If my budget would allow it, I’d go up again in a heartbeat.
To be sure, it’s not for the faint of heart. Not everyone can skydive for various reasons. But if you’re healthy, adventurous and can spare a couple hundred dollars and an afternoon, I highly recommend you try it at least once. Then you, too, can cross it off your bucket list – or begin a new hobby.
To find out more, visit www.skydivehouston.com or call 1-800-JUMP-OUT.