Why would you jump from a perfectly good plane

That is the question everyone who doesn’t understand asks. Does it get old having to answer this question? Sometimes. It’s hard to put into words and describe to a non-skydiver what it is that keeps me coming back for more, and why my smile is always glimmering.

If I don’t think the person asking me will understand at all, I usually just respond with the thrill and bliss of the act that makes it worth it. It’s easy for people to associate a rise in adrenaline with a pleasurable activity. But it’s so much more than that.

People often associate skydiving with dare devils, people trying to cheat death and dance with the devil in a pale moonlight. For me skydiving isn’t about cheating death, it’s a celebration of life. No matter what is going on in my life, it all floats away as I step through the door at 13,500 feet, immediately replaced with a huge smile on my face and an abundance of joy and euphoria. Anybody who has been in the air with me knows what I’m talking about, even through my full face (helmet) you can see my smile a mile away

The community of people and friendships that develop at a dropzone are amazing. I can walk onto any DZ and people will strike up conversations, sharing stories, making me feel welcome and part of the crew. We are all there to do what we love baby, skydive! People watch out for each other while having the time of our lives.

Sharing the sky with awesome people who truly understand can put a smile on my face and lift my spirits higher than the Otter could ever hope to fly. Without that, skydiving wouldn’t mean nearly as much to me as it does. It isn’t just about jumping out of a plane, it’s about sharing the experience with someone who enjoys it as much as I do. Whether it’s just a 2-way fun jump after work, or a 14-way with a serious goal for the day during a RW camp, I love every second of it!

Yes skydiving has a lot of risk, yes you have to take safety very seriously and be heads up and at the peak of your game. But it is worth every second of freefall without a doubt.

Going after a goal, overcoming a fear, dealing with the ups and downs that life throws at me, reaching for the stars… it all seems a little bit more doable, but now with a smile and determination that has been built upon from living life to the fullest!

Tackle a challenge today with a new found sense of freedom and perseverance, then go bomb out of the closest Otter!! I’ll see you all at 13.5k

Note from accel;

Matt Veno is an experienced skydiver and so his posts don't usually get into this site, which is geared towards the needs of first timers. Having said that, I wanted to share a little of the skydiving philosophy that skydvers share. Matts view isn't unusual, but it is well expressed and well written.  Read more from Matt at http://www.rocksahead.com/