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September - October 2018
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boatingonthehudson.com
The Ranch has been in operation for over 40 years and offers Tandem jumps,
(your first time up to 13, 500 feet), and then continuous instructions over a
period of time leading to license to skydive on your own, or with other skydiver
performing stunts.
Upon visiting Skydive the Ranch for the first time and before your skydive all
aspects of the jump will be explained, via videos and one-on-one training with
your instructor. Jenna was shown the state of the art equipment that will be
used. During the actual Tandem Skydive, it was explained to her that she would
be securely attached to a professional tandem instructor who will assist you in
pulling the ripcord and steering you to a safe landing.
Tandem Skydiving is the ideal way to make your first skydive.
You must do exactly as the instructor tells you, which include buckling up to
him or her, so tight that you act as one. The instructor wears the chute. Each of
you has a radio and can talk back and fourth on the way down. This is important
as the one or two minute fall and then the opening of the instructors chute requires
communication in the final minutes of the skydive.
So I asked, “were you nervous or frightened?” Jenna replied, “you know there
was so much going on as you climbed into the airplane, the noise, the smells of
everyone packed so tightly together, everyone, smiling or laughing that you just
felt anticipation. The actual jump was complete with total acceleration, unreal, and
very exciting. Your traveling at 120 mph during free fall. As we were freefalling
the instructor placed his hand on mine and guided it to the chute release. He and
I pulled it together.
There was a camera man taking video of the jump so the instructor kept yelling
“look at the camera, look at the camera.”
So how did you feel after you landed, I asked? “ Like I wanted to go right back up
and do it again. Of course I did not to it that day but in the next few months I made
a total of three jumps, I love it!”
Euphoria!