March 29 2008: A Death Wish
So, I have a death wish.
Aside from other dangerous things I’ve done in recent months (bungee jumping, canyoning, etc.), and things that I’m already half-booked in to do (swimming with sharks), I’m seriously contemplating two other activities: white water rafting and SKYDIVING FROM 14,000 FEET.
On one of my routine browsing missions through eBay, I came across an auction for a tandem skydiving experience in Penrith, less than an hour out of Sydney. It boasts over a minute free fall at speeds up to 220km per hour, from a height of 14,000 feet. It’s obviously not for the faint-hearted…I’m a bit shaky just thinking about it now. I’ve placed a maximum bid of $250AUD…which is actually really cheap for something as insurance-heavy as skydiving. If I win the auction, I dive. I’m shitting myself just thinking about it now. Reminder to self: clear out your bowels before you dive.
I also came across an auction for a white water rafting voucher - again in Sydney. Again, I’m tempted. I have however, held back on bidding for it until I get the result of the skydiving auction…if I win that, I won’t have enough money for white water rafting as well. It’s one or the other, and since I’m obviously seeking nothing but a wild adrenaline rush, skydiving would be more appropriate than white water rafting.
I don’t know, has anyone else been skydiving before? Can you reassure me better than Amber, who pretty well told me that I’m going to die?
I can go one better than Amber:
You’re going to die.
Xuan on March 29 2008 #
That’s only the worst case scenario! :D
Amber on March 29 2008 #
Skydiving is awesome.
I haven’t done it but it’s on my list.
One of my friends did it and survived and said he would do it again so you have nothing to worry about!
Extreme sports ftw.
Maren on March 29 2008 #
I would love to do a tandem skydive. I mean, the worst case scenario is that you die, and that really doesn’t bother me, so… I haven’t got anything to lose!
Good luck.
Rachael on March 29 2008 #
Sorry, but like Xuan and Amber said:
You’re going to die.
Chien Yee on March 30 2008 #
Reminder: Buy me a voucher for my 18th *nods*
Why is everyone so pessimistic? IT’LL BE FANTASTIC.
Tracey on March 30 2008 #
I’m sure that YOU will enjoy yourself. *I* couldn’t ever do that, though.
Julie on March 30 2008 #
Skydiving scares the shit out of me, but I have a friend who skydived in Australia last year (I think it might actually have been in Sydney). She survived, obviously, and has described it as a truly awesome experience. I’ve seen the video from her jump, and despite my fear of skydiving, I had to admit it looked pretty cool.
I say go for it. It’ll probably be an experience for life.
Mari on March 30 2008 #
I wanted to go white water rafting when I was younger because I felt as an Aquarius I had to be one with the water (which is completely absurd and oxymoronic… I’m not at all)
But, sky diving? I’m too afraid of heights. I cry when the airplane takes off.
But I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Stalin on March 30 2008 #
OMG My comment finally went through! I’m so happy :)
Stalin on March 30 2008 #
I’m scared of heights but you will be fine! Many people have sky dived before and have a) survived :P and b) loved it! I wish I had the chutzpah to do something like, but I don’t! So best wishes!
Yara on March 30 2008 #
We’ll miss you when you’re dead :(
Nahhh, I’m sure you’ll live to tell the tale! After all, you can’t leave your loyal readers hanging!
Kaylee on March 30 2008 #
I had a friend that went sky diving and she said it was an exhilarating experience, yet it was her first and would be her only time doing it.
It’s definitely something I would like to try.
Kiera on March 30 2008 #
Will you be skydiving with an instructor, or something like that? If that’s the case, then you shouldn’t really worry. They’ll be handling the important things, while you get to experience all the fun.
Josh on March 30 2008 #
one of my teachers from middle school went skydiving.. she said you lose your fear of heights after you do it, so good luck to you! :D
rebecca on March 30 2008 #
Holy crap. I’d rather go white river rafting because you have a whole group of people around you. And death by sharp rocks is better than um… death by impaling self on sharp rocks XD
Crystal on March 30 2008 #
I’m not much of a daredevil, but skydiving does seem fun. I’d go if I had somebody with me. But water rafter sounds just as fun, but not as extreme. Go for something spontaneous and skydiving is definitely it.
I’d suggest to take somebody with you for support, though.
Kristine on March 30 2008 #
*chants* Do it! Do it! Do it! lol
Seriously, you should do it… 2 of my cousins have gone sky diving in the past year and they both really want me to do it. It’s not really as risky as it sounds… As a first timer, its mandatory for you to be strapped on to an instructor (at least that’s how they do it here). You just basically have to enjoy the ride ;)
Felisa on March 30 2008 #
Now that’s what I call stepping out of your comfort zone!
Chanel on March 31 2008 #
Well, if you (by some crazy chance) do come out of it alive, at least you’ll be one of those people who lived to tell the tale and whatnot. And then you can call all of us chickens. Wise chickens, that is.
Ramsha on March 31 2008 #
you don’t have a death wish, you are an adrenaline junky ;). I think sky diving is awesome, I never done it but I’d love to. I went rafting in the Turkish mountains though! It was cool but the water was realitively calm (as far as it can be anyway)
Chans on March 31 2008 #
Skydiving has been on my to-do list for a very long time, but it’s so expensive and I wanna do it with a friend, but I haven’t really found someone who wants to go yet…
adastra on March 31 2008 #
[...] will be skydiving when I’m in Sydney. I ended up winning the auction with a bid of $190AUD, which automatically [...]
Jingwen » Blog Archive » Follow Up on April 6 2008 #
[...] Throwing myself off a plane tomorrow. There may possibly be a parachute involved. If not, it’s been a good life thus far. [...]
Jingwen » Blog Archive » Sydney, Mmmkay? on June 9 2008 #