Junior Birdsman

The town of Swapkomund in Namibia is fashioning itself as the adventure capital of the country, and aspires to be as extreme and lucrative as Victoria Falls, which is well known for its variety of thrills: bungee jumping off the border bridge, swinging across the gorge, white water rafting just past the falls themselves, etc. etc. We were treated to a video montage of options.  Quad biking on the sand dunes, sandboarding, skydiving - that sort of thing.

Talking together while we were unpacking in our room, I said "This might sound ridiculous but I kind of like the idea of skydiving", never ever expecting to hear Martin say "You won't believe this, but so am I!"  Martin does not like heights, so this was quite a surprise.  But we thought it would be a great way to see the landscape, and it was probably the cheapest option for skydiving we willever find,  Of course I don't recommend choosing your skydiving experience based on what is cheapest.  But this company proudly advertised its 100% safety rate, and I figured they wouldn't want to have to print another poster.

So we booked ourselves to go the following morning.  We got suited up in our fetching jumpsuit (literally a "jumpsuit") and then walked to a small plane.  It's a tandem jump, and we met our diving partner as well as a photographer who jumps with you too.  We were told in passing that this plane had been bought from Iran, and there are still traces of bullet holes on the underside!  I suggested they might want to leave that little factoid out until after everyone has landed safely

The plane has only one seat, for the pilot.  I sit in front of my diver, who clasps me together with a very impressive harness - I feel a bit like a clydesdale.  In front of me is my photographer.  Pressed in beside me is Martin attached to his diver and likewise facing his photographer. We spent the flight chatting and looking out the window at the desert below.  The Atlantic Ocean crashes into the coast here but seems lifeless, as there is no visible sign of life where water hits sand.

When we got to 10,000 feet, the wall beside me slid opened and suddenly I was sitting on the edge, feet dangling in the open air, the cold wind whipping my face.  A rock back and forth or two for momentum and out we went, turning over and clear of the plane. 

My free fall was about 30 seconds and felt pretty wild.  Oddly enough I never got that scary feeling of falling closer to earth.  There is nothing but grey desert below so the eyes move around and can't fix on anything.  It was like being on a fairground ride, with a feeling of joy that kept my mouth open the entire time.  I could see the mountains we had driven through yesterday, and the township with its square boxes of corrugated metal that act as family homes.  We saw the Germanic town of Swapkomund. It was a really great view and so much fun to see it below my plummeting body. 

When our parachute was activated I felt a tug upwards and suddenly it got quiet without the sound of the wind.  The air changed too, from cold to tropical warm.  There was a marine fog along parts of the coast and suddenly it got very cold again as we arrived in that latitude.

Having a curved back had made me nervous about doing this jump, but I was assured that the landing would have no impact at all, just like walking down a step.  I raised my knees as directed and the my diver slow and touch down, and he was right.  It felt like I was taking a step - no more.  Parachute disconnected I found Martin and congratulated him on his successful jump too.  We celebrated with a beer and that was that.  A very good time!