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Charlotte Bennett-Hill is an HSC student here in Coffs Harbour whose father, Steve Hill, owns Coffs City Skydivers. Growing up around skydivers has inspired her to write her major work for Society and Culture about skydiving, the type of people who choose to participate in the sport, and the psychology of risk-taking.
Charlotte Bennett-Hil
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i Charlotte. Tell us about your relationship with the Coffs Coast. I’m a Coffs kid, born and raised. I was born at Coffs Harbour Baringa Hospital and have lived my whole 18 years of life here. I go to Bishop Druitt College and am currently completing my final year. I love it here. I feel so grateful for living here, and all the opportunities that have come along with it. I’ve travelled quite a lot, and I guess that has put into perspective how amazing the Coffs Coast is. You have recently written a body of work revolving around the lives of skydivers from around the world and why they do what they do. Tell us more about this project and what it’s about? I’m in the middle of an HSC major work for Society and Culture, which is a written project about pretty much anything of your choosing. I decided to focus on skydiving, and the psychological and existential impacts it has on the lives of the participants. I chose to do this because my father owns Coffs City Skydivers, and I have grown up in the skydiving world. I chose to base my question around the impact skydiving has on people for two reasons, really. Number one, being that I’ve noticed that all the skydivers, no matter where they come from, who they are or their age, they all have certain personality traits that seem to flow through all of them, and I wanted to know why this is. Reason two, is that the psychology of risk taking fascinates me, and I have abundant access to information and people I may need to interview, all around the world. Have you found a common mindset or a certain type of personality that comes with the sport? Absolutely. Whilst every skydiver I have ever met is so different, there are certain traits which almost every skydiver has. They often live life to the fullest extent, in all aspects, not just through skydiving. They often travel, and party, and live the opposite of a mundane life. They never get weighed down by the typical, working 9 - 5, boring kind of life. A
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that you are responsible for each lot of people think that they are just crazy adrenaline-junkies, which they other's safety turns you into the best The skydiving lifestyle is about obviously are to some extent, but of mates as soon as you’ve touched so much more than the thrill. people often confuse that with the It includes the thrill, but is also the ground again.” (Steve Hill, AKA mindset of "life is meant to be lived". about living life fully, making Dad). Most of them also have really lifelong connections with How has your research influenced inclusive, open, friendly, funny people, loving the life you your own thoughts on skydiving? personalities that are so fun to be live, having fun and showing From my research, I have realised around. They are able to make other people that there is so much that the skydiving community and friends and connections with people more available to people than the individuals are so complex and more so easily. They are also the most average stereotypical life. fascinating than I had assumed ... approachable people who would And that the skydiving lifestyle is drop anything to look after each about so much more than the thrill. other, or anyone in need, which I It includes the thrill, but is also about think is really lovely and quite rare in today's society. living life fully, making lifelong connections with people, In my own experience, I have felt a strong sense of loving the life you live, having fun and showing other family among skydivers. How true is this, and why do people that there is so much more available to people than they connect so well? the average stereotypical life. Oh definitely! Like I mentioned, I think it’s because It also helped me realise things about myself, like the fact of the open-mindedness in the skydiving community. that I leave my homework to the last minute because deep Everyone who skydives is so different, not only because down I enjoy the stress and adrenaline that comes with the of the different nationalities, but also personalities rush. It has also made me very keen to start my own AFF too. For example, we have a woman who is training in course, so I can skydive solo. As soon as I finish school! medical science, a French roof tiler, an Australian priest, a Personally, what do you enjoy most about skydiving? Portuguese bar worker, a dad who doubles as an alternate In the actual skydive, I love freefall. You just feel so free psychologist, a full-time German competitive skydiver and so and amazing! You are one hundred percent in the moment; many more characters. there is no past or future, just now. You get into this state of But, skydiving acts as a common thread, tying all these complete euphoria, and it’s like nothing else you have ever people together. Because everyone is free and encouraged experienced! to be themselves, with no judgement from other skydivers, Every time I promise myself that I’m going to live everyone is able to be completely comfortable with each differently, focusing more on the important things in life, other. rather than all the material things and stresses that actually This question was actually one I have researched for my don’t matter. But what I love most about skydiving is the body of work, and in an interview with my dad I think he lifestyle, the community. Our skydiving family here at the summed it up perfectly: “Jumping out of aircrafts takes a lot of responsibility. You are literally trusting everyone else in the dropzone, are indescribable. We are all so close, and I am so lucky to have all those wonderful people in my life. plane with your life, and you can’t get a bond stronger than Thanks Charlotte. that. Even if you have only just met the person, knowing