For my 18th birthday I want to jump out of a plane. "Oh?" And so it began. Of course not our personal preference but we get that a cake and a bouncy house may no longer hold the appeal that it never had.
Alright then, make it so. Where? Then you have to consider how a skydiving place gets a 3.7 rating as opposed to a 4.9 or a 5. I would infer that you had to at least survive to crawl over to a computer and type in a 3.7 review. Pick Lodi? Why? Cheaper? That seems to be somewhat in the ballpark of a 7-11 special of ten hot dogs for $1. Understandably, choosing to eat a hot dog is your choice but ten for a $1? Let's not opt for the bargain.
In Early August an 18 year old skydiver and his instructor died in what apparently will be linked to safety (not certified) violations at Skydive Lodi. His instructor was only 20 years old.
Dexter is choosing another place to jump.
While it's also a strange concept that we are entrusting the life of our son with a complete stranger, the end result is an experience that Dexter treasures. Also there is not much public information in what qualifies the instructors, or their certification process. I would just advise to stay away from the lower rated places and to do some research. Here's how the day went:
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Meeting up with D's buddy, GianLuca at Bart, we have lunch and begin the drive to Hollister. The guys are in good spirit, ready to go but also knowing that the drive will be awhile, and that there will be wait time after we arrive. The folks at Skydive Hollister are friendly and there's a young Hippie/Burning Man community vibe about the place. While you wait you do have to watch a video that much of it is a grim warning that you are voluntarily offering your own life in participating. There's even a shot of an ambulance, all of which made any unease I might have been feeling just a little more vivid.
We began at noon. Started the drive up about 1 and landed in Hollister about 2:30. Participants read and sign off on a computer waiver form, and then it's a waiting process. The guys were fitted about 4:30, meet with their instructors. and run through what to expect, what to do, and how to do it. Dexter's guy, not much older than 25, Australian and loves to exclaim his name, "Dicko". So there go, he with Dicko. I realize that there is not much to do at the tiny Hollister airport.but GianLuca's guy comes over to inform me where they will land, about five miles away- if I would like to head over there. I am thankful for the information and drive over.
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| getting prepared |
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| "Before" snap |
The boys have decided on jumping from 11,000 feet up. The lowest choice is 8,000. Highest 15,000. Prices correspond to height. The way I've made peace in my mind is that there's really not much difference from 100 feet and 11,000 feet if something goes wrong. The main difference is that from 11,000 feet the view is nicer. For skydivers, the higher the better as there is more free fall time. It turns out that D and G actually are brought up to 13,000 feet but of course from my vantage point it all seems the same, so very far away.
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| Dicko's idea |
There is a family we met in the waiting room at the landing site, also an employee on ground to assist where he can, a limo driver who is currently undergoing the process for her certification. She shares stories about her experiences, and some of the other places to jump (Hollister is more personable, Monterey is pretty but the experience is more process, than fun). Some of her tales are scary but when this is pointed out to her, she draws the difference between her solo flights and tandem jumps, of which ours will be experiencing.
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| Parachute got a little tangled but plenty of time to fix |
We look to the sky, blue and blank, listen for sounds but it's quiet except for our voices and an occasional bird. Soon we hear the engine of their small plane (17 people are crammed in this flyer, some lined up on a central bench, the others sitting around it on the floor). One speck, then another. A chute opens, then another. A slow glide and we wait for more.
It's several minutes later, and the plane has made two passes gaining elevation. But soon we count eight more sightings and shortly after our sky is painted with different colored parachutes. I know that because Dexter is lighter he probably will stay up longer so my eyes begin to check for him.
The family receives their excited and happy daughter as she lands with her instructor, having jumped from 8K. I'm feeling pretty good. Earlier, Maria had texted me, "are you ok?" which I take to mean "I am really nervous!" but I keep the interpretation to myself and reply that all seems well. It's actually beautiful watching everyone land; they seem to float down like jellyfish. It's quiet. Quiet until they see each other, and you feel their exuberance. Life affirming. Embracing the possibilities. Okay, then. Let's buy the video. We want the video. You're going to go again, aren't you.
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| GL sweeps D with a big "Happy Birthday!" |
Congratulations Dexter. 18. Pretty Amazing.
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