Skydiving is high on many peoples "to do before I die" lists. Recently a certain nameless someone, who also happens to be a really good sport and let us share his story, went tandem skydiving for the first time at Skydive SWOOP just outside of Toronto. He was thrilled, and totally pumped about the experience. When describing it, he said "it was like nothing else". He also said that he found it "near impossible to breathe" during freefall.

When he showed me the DVD video of the jump, and told me that he also purchased digital still images, I popped them into the computer for a closer inspection. Here's the abbreviated version of the hilarity within....

After the short training session and much anticipation, he was up in the air. Things started out well... starting with a flip and spin before the stabilizing mini-shute came out. Here we get visual confirmation that this RULES! The two thumbs up and smile indicate that all is better than well. Wooooohooooo!

But then something goes awry.... and nameless someone starts to look like a lot like Val Kilmer. Notice the face stretching and lip to nostril seal that is forming, making it near impossible to breathe.

The cameraman falls lower for the "glory shots" where the staff jumper looks all cool, while nameless first-timer drowns in his own skin and takes on a Predator look.

The main shoot deploys, drastically reducing wind resistance, and once again allowing nameless jumper to breathe. Happy to make it back to solid ground, nameless jumper smiles and relishes in his accomplishment.

Morals of the story?
1) Keep your mouth shut during your first skydiving freefall, even though it's only for a few seconds!
2) If something completely out of your control results in hilarity, forget about the embarrassment and share the humour!

(images: Skydive Swoop)