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lynxie

skydiving = freedom?

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When skydivers are asked what they like about skydiving, there are many different reasons. But one of the things a lot of people answer is freedom or that it makes them feel free.

What kind of freedom feeling do you get from skydiving?

-- "If you can dream it, you can DO IT!" --

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When I go to a dz I leave everything outside of the 'gate'. Nothing matters i feel like I'm in another world. It's kinda like a safe place where i can run away from everyday problems.
Also of course the flying. Being able to fly gives me the feeling of immense freedom.



Take risks not to escape life but to prevent life from escaping

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What kind of freedom feeling do you get from skydiving?



Every once in awhile someone asks you a question that causes you to pause and think. This is one of those questions.

It also comes at a very good time in that; I think we all go through phases of questioning skydiving. The time away from family and friends, the money spent, the DZ "As the Prop Turns BS," skydiving goals, work intruding on skydiving and skydiving intruding on work which supports the addiction, etc.

I think we all spend an inordinate amount of time for no remuneration to pass on our love and knowledge of skydiving. I think the "why" we do it is so that others can experience the sense of freedom we've experienced.

And what is that sense of freedom? For me, it's those few seconds of being in the door when it opens and I'm looking over a plain of clouds and being on the same level with the sun as it is setting. It's about those first ten seconds on a solo jump when I step out of a plane, ride the hill and watch the sun dip behind the horizon while I'm in freefall.

And, it's about watching a FJ or tandem student land and have experienced that same feeling, even if it is only once in their lives. I revisit that feeling thru their eyes.
Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

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(...)it's those few seconds of being in the door when it opens and I'm looking over a plain of clouds and being on the same level with the sun as it is setting. It's about those first ten seconds on a solo jump when I step out of a plane, ride the hill and watch the sun dip behind the horizon while I'm in freefall.



Those special seconds of freedom, what more exactly are you free from or free to do?

-- "If you can dream it, you can DO IT!" --

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Being able to fly gives me the feeling of immense freedom.


What is it about flying that makes you feel free? Do flying an airplane make you feel free too or do you mean just the freefall?



For me flying in a plane is not really flying. I'm sure it is if you're flying it yourself and in control of it but as a passenger it just gets you from A to B.

I love everything about skydiving, the exit, the freefall, under canopy and also apres skydiving. I love the feeling of standing in the door and being able to look outside with nothing spoiling the view, being able to do anything in the air - the limit is only your mental barrier. I've seen the most beautiful views under canopy ever, nothing can beat a stunning sunset when the sun is halfway behind a mountain coloring the sky around it purple, pink, orange, gold and some indescribable colors. Without trying it the feeling of utter freedom is unexplainable.



Take risks not to escape life but to prevent life from escaping

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When I go to a dz I leave everything outside of the 'gate'. Nothing matters i feel like I'm in another world. It's kinda like a safe place where i can run away from everyday problems.
Also of course the flying. Being able to fly gives me the feeling of immense freedom.



DITO :)


Check out the site of the Fallen Angels FreeflY Organisation:
http://www.padliangeli.org

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I love the freedom from the jumble of thoughts that constantly run through my head regularly, freedom from the stress of work, from my long commute, and the constant interaction with other people. It is the freedom of being truly alone in the quiet of the sky. The freedom of having almost total control of my experiences in those few minutes.

Jen

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

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The freedom is that I'm doing this for ME, on my time, with my money, because it makes me feel good. Everything else in my life is being done in some part for someone else or for some future gain... I have to go to school to get the good job, I have to go to work to get paid to pay my bills etc.

No one can tell me what to do as soon as I exit.
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

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And, it's about watching a FJ or tandem student land and have experienced that same feeling, even if it is only once in their lives. I revisit that feeling thru their eyes.



Hell yes! Talking to tandem students makes me smile the most ... Even if I had lots of great skydives, talking to tandem students seems to make me smile the most :)

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I feel free to be myself more in the world of skydiving...being a "part" of the sky, this vast nothingness which never ends. makes me feel free. I don't know how to explain it, but once I get out that door and have nothing but air all around me I feel as if I become part of the sky...

Sarah


Mother to the cutest little thing in the world...

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Those special seconds of freedom, what more exactly are you free from or free to do?



Neither. Call it the "existentialism of skydiving" if you will. It is the moment "from" and "do" do not exist.

I call them, "all about me dives." And, when folks at the DZ ask me to go on a jump and I tell them, "Thank you," but this is an all about me dive...they understand. In fact, when I leave the plane they are almost appreciating the freedom of the moment with me.


A couple [maybe three] years ago at Quincy, I saw a guy running around with his shirt off. On his back in large gothic lettering was tattoed, "Freedom." That said it all. I've been jealous of not having thought of that Tat ever since.
Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

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For me knowing that I packed the equipment that is going to save my life gives me confidence. Flying in the plane gives me a feeling of friends as we all get very close and all accept each other as we joke around. In the door I laugh at all the people that are missing out on what I am about to do. During freefall I get the feeling that I am fixing to die(joking)... really I forget all in my life but who is in the air around me. Right when I go to deploy I realize all that is important to me and hope that my chute opens soft. Under canopy I get chill bumps from what just happened and happy that everything is ok. I love to look around, and each time play a little more until it scares me then I quit and set up for landing. About 15 feet above the ground I hope that everything is set up right and I time the flare properly. As I gather my canopy up I get giggley like a school girl. When I am walking back with other jumpers we chat and ramble over eachother and look at dytters and neptunes to see what we all did. Entering the packing area I like to see the looks at the FJC sutdents and tandem observers faces as they look at the expressions on mine:):D

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