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SKYDIVE IN TAUPO – COWABUNGA!

Today I threw myself out of a plane . . . and it was the best day ever!

There’s not much more I can say about my skydive experience. It was every incredible word you can think of multiplied by 1,000.

The freefall was marvelous and it felt like I was floating. When the parachute opened and we slowed down enough to see the entire area, Taupo and its surroundings looked magnificent. Snow-capped mountains hugged a sparkling blue lake. The sky was blue and the trees and land were green. Spectacular!

I would definitely do this again in a heartbeat. No question about it.

My dive master’s name was Alan. He helped me suit up and checked all the rigging and harnesses. We were last to hop into the plane, which meant we’d be first on the flipside. Also in the plane with me were Alba and a girl named Pia. This was a momentous event for all of us, even though Alba had jumped once before.

As the plane ascended, I had to put on an oxygen mask when we hit 8,000 feet. We were on our way to 15,000 feet and the ride actually took longer than I expected. A few minutes before the door opened, Alan had me sit on his lap so he could hook me up to him. He also gave me plastic goggles to wear and told me what would happen next.

When the door opened up, it was amazing to see how high we were. But there wasn’t a lot of time to admire it as Alan moved us over to the door and we sat with our legs hanging outside of the plane. With a quick nod to our cameraman, who was literally hanging on to the door and halfway outside the plane already, Alan and I were in freefall.

Did I tell you that this was the best day ever?

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In the days following Christchurch’s February earthquake, Alan agreed to jump out of a plane if his workplace could raise $1,000 to donate to Christchurch.  They surpassed their goal and raised $2,000!  Alan was true to his word.  On 19 March, with the support of his collagues, Alan bravely took the plunge from 15,000 feet.  And what a great cause it was!  Alan’s company, Pathlab Associates, agreed to match the workplace contribution by donating an additional $2,000.  A total of $4,000 was donated to Chirstchurch on behalf of Alan’s skydive.  Now that is something to be proud of!