On June 24, I had the thrill of a lifetime, tandem free fall sky diving over Lake Macatawa in Holland with Tony Gwinn from West Michigan Sky Diving.

I think it's something everyone should try at least once in their life, but watch that first step, it's a doozy.

This was my second time jumping out of a plane, the first time was twenty years ago at the Grant Airport when I did a static line jump from 3000 feet. This time was a totally different experience, because with the tandem jump, you're not only jumping from 10,000 feet, you're also free falling through the sky at 120 mph for a good forty seconds.

And that's the best part, because once your mind comprehends what just happened, you honestly feel like Superman until it's time to pull the rip cord. At that point, the wind noise that had been whipping by your ears calms down, and you seem to be floating down on a feather.

The day began with my trip out to Park Township Airport on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon. Tony was waiting for me riding a new electronic skateboard he had just bought. He invited me to ride, but after a half hearted effort, I decided to only try one adventerous sport today, and that was sky diving.

In West Michigan Sky Diving's lounge area, Tony quickly briefed me on how the dive was going play out. This immediately put my mind at ease, as it was clear safety was the main concern. It also gave me something to concentrate on, so my mind wouldn't dwell on the fact that I would be leaping out of a plane at 10,000 feet.

After practicing the 'arch' position for a few minutes, Tony informs me it's time to go. The arch is important in sky diving to keep stability and slow your descent as you whip through the air at 120 mph.

Winding our way up over the beautiful Holland countryside, we level off at 5000 feet to let another diver jump. He was doing his 73rd jump en route to getting certified.

It was then I realized this was real. My mind kept going over the procedure as we leveled off at 10,000 feet and prepared to jump. Tony hooked me up to his harness and we scooched over to the door and looked down on Lake Macatawa, which was now a small pond at that height.

While i had convinced myself I was good, my mind wouldn't let me unhinge my hands from the door, so Tony had to tell me to pull my hands down. And then it was a simple 'Ready, Set. ARCH!, and we rolled out the door.

I had concentrated on being in the moment so I could enjoy the freefall, but I had no idea how amazing falling through the air would be. As we spun around I saw Archie, who was diving with us give me the thumbs up, and just like that it was over. Tony gave me the tap, and it was time to pull the cord.

I reached up to grab it, but couldn't find it immediately. No worries, Tony had my back and pulled it and just like that we were up and coasting in on air power. I got a little air sick from the yank of the chute, and I felt a little queasy. Luckily I fought off the urge to hurl and we landed perfectly a few moments later. What a ride!

Annette from the Holland Sentinel went skydiving the same day I did, and you can read here take below.

It was a wonderful experience, one I would like to share with all of you, so keep listening, and maybe you can come with me next time I go flying.

 

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