the roads appeared as tiny veins. In the basket, It wasn’t until 1922 when an airplane pilot everyone’s adrenaline was pumping. performed the first aircraft bailout with a parachute. Berg, who had only skydived twice before in Then, in 1925, people began experimenting with her life, kept her eyes closed like vices as Kurtz “stable, extended freefalling” (a.k.a. skydiving). climbed up to the edge…his back to the void. By the mid-1950s, skydiving schools began “Just fall back, don’t kick off,” Geiger advised popping up all over the U.S. after hitting the propane one last time. Everyone in Today, millions of people skydive every year. the basket crouched, preparing for the basket to The U.S. Parachute Association reports that nearly shoot up due to a sudden loss of weight. 3 million of their members, along with first-time With that, the pair let go. They disappeared over student jumpers, make the leap every year. the edge like a pebble brushed off a bridge. Like most recreational sports, skydiving also “Ahhhhhh!” has a competitive side, with categories in Berg’s voice faded farther and farther away. Formation Skydiving, Canopy Formation, We watched as they fell closer to earth. From Freestyle Skydiving, Freeflying, Freefall Style, our perspective, that moment didn’t appear too far Accuracy Landing and Vertical Formation away as they blended in with the Skydiving. landscape…then…a sudden burst of blue and white But for those who just want to experience that as Kurtz released the parachute. free-fall, here is the logistics of how skydiving “That. Was. Awesome!” I laughed. works as I experienced jumping with Kurtz a The experience was also off the charts for Kurtz. couple years ago: “It’s different jumping from a balloon versus a First, you drive to the airport. For me, the jump plane,” he explained. “In a plane, you’re moving was happening in Traverse City, a trip Skydive forward at about 85mph. When you jump off a Harbor Springs makes at least once a year. We met balloon, you just tumble. You’re not used to it and at the old airport terminal where we signed our it’s actually kind of scary. You get a little of that waivers and got geared up. This includes a fullstomach drop.” body harness and goggles. The majority of skydiving gear is handled by the instructor, including the ever-important parachute. THE LOGISTICS OF A JUMP There were a handful of people skydiving that Skydiving, or parachuting as it was referred to, actually originated from ballooning. The modern day, but only two pairs could fit at a time into the history of the sport began in the late 18th century plane. We sardined ourselves into the plane, sitting on when Jacques Garnerin, a Frenchman, performed display jumps from balloons flying over Europe, the floor with our back to the pilot. As the plane according to the U.S. Parachute Association. made a switchback pattern ascent, Kurtz made casual conversation, asking me what I did for a
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Northern Motion