On why I choose to fly
by Chris on Dec.13, 2008, under General Thoughts
Anyone that partakes in a sport that is outside the norm will have some reason or other for doing what they do. Mostly, their reasons boil down to vague notions of thrill or of challenge; they want to do something that scares them, or that is so insanely difficult that doing it at all elevates you to an elite crowd.
These are, in my opinion, pretty good reasons to do crazy things. They’re not, however, my reasons.
I choose to fly because I get to feel the freedom of letting go of conventional stability — the plane — and having a very personal, nearly spiritual connection to my world. When I am in the air alone, I owe nothing to anybody but myself, and I owe very little even there. All I have to do is pull, and I have satisfied every obligation.
Today, and I write this reluctantly, I jumped for the last time.
The skies were blue, patched with clouds at 7,000’.
The air was fresh, the wind calm.
The temperature was high, but for Brazil, not too bad.
I jumped from a Caravan at 12,000’, making a smooth exit and a laughing, joyous flight through a cloud in the aforementioned cloud layer.
I pulled.
The chute opened.
And I felt something in my shoulder give.
It wasn’t a complete dislocation, but even now when I put on a T-shirt, I feel it nearly slip out when I slide my arm into the sleeve.
I cannot jump if I cannot comfortably and fearlessly carry out the single most important task in the skydive, and I cannot safely pull anymore.
So, jump #38, at 25 minutes and 15 seconds of freefall, my first jump in a country other than Canada, my first jump from a Caravan, and also my last.
December 14th, 2008 on 8:32 am
It breaks my heart to know this part of you is over, I wish it wouldn’t have worked out like this. Hey, You’re way in front of me on the numbers. I think it is great that you did get to fly over Brazil.
December 15th, 2008 on 4:08 am
Yeah, it’s pretty hard to take, no mistake. I mean, it is what it is, but I don’t have to like it. Safety über alles, but oh, what a price to pay.
December 22nd, 2008 on 1:30 pm
I am with Moi on this one. I know what it meant to you and the fact that you couldn’t get into it with me when it was fresh I understood meant it was pretty emotional. More reason to have coffee Tuesday evening. Let’s dish about you.