Jump The Beach Skydives

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Sometimes the best things in life last the shortest time. If you don't believe me, think of the most boring thing you've ever done. Was it watching the grass grow; listening to Uncle Bill tell the story about how he was almost bitten by a brown snake out west of Mudgee; or test cricket? Seems to go forever doesn't it?

Alternatively, you could do what I did and jump out of a plane.
Of course if you're going to jump out of a plane, you may as well do it properly and jump out of a plane over Australia's third largest city before landing on a beach.

Fortunately, here in Brisbane a company called Jump the Beach do exactly that. They run their skydives out of Redcliffe, landing on one of the peninsula's many sandy stretches.

It was bright and early on a gorgeous Tuesday for the drive out to Redcliffe and my morning "quickie". Once there the staff got us to go through the paperwork before being introduced to the men and women who would literally have our lives in their hands once the plane door opened. My tandem was Englishman Phil, who strapped me into my harness before Teresa took us through our positions in the air, as well as telling us to look up when we jumped out of the plane.

Time then to jump on the bus and have that small quirt of adrenaline start to kick in. We jumped on-board the plane at Redcliffe Airport and quickly had a birds-eye view of Caboolture (home of Keith Urban for most of his childhood years), Lakeside Raceway (home of Queensland motor racing for many years), and Kallangur (home of my father for the last few).

Then, around 11,000 feet above the Redcliffe Peninsula, the door opened.

Phil and I were the last to jump, which I've decided is quite possibly the worst spot when you're scared of heights. We edged across to the open doorway in time to catch a glimpse of Moreton Bay directly below me (did I mention I'm scared of heights and depths?) before Phil pushed us off into the abyss below.

Theresa's suggestion to look up was good advice.

The sight of the plane apparently shooting off into the skies gave way to sheer exhilaration as we dropped through the skies, accelerating at 9.81m/s/s until Phil pulled the cord and the parachute slowed us right down. This gave me the chance enjoy a 360 degree view of the peninsula before drifting down to the beach for a soft landing.

While drifting to the ground was pleasant enough and lasted a few minutes, without doubt the best part was the sheer thrill of the freefall. Watching the plane disappear upwards; the ground start rushing towards you; the feel of the air pressing against your face to make it contort in that weird way you can only get on the ground when you put your hands in those new-fangled hand dryers: this couldn't have lasted more than 60 seconds, and yet it was one of the experiences of my life.

Yep, you can live for a long time and play it safe.
Me? I'll take the 60 seconds of excitement and adrenaline thanks.

#adventure
#moreton_bay
#northern_suburbs
#outdoor
#redcliffe
%wnbrisbane