We both awoke relaxed and rested after the previous nights soaking in the mineral enriched water and after a quick breakfast and another hot shower (just because we can we thought we would take full advantage of the facilities) it was time to see the sights and pass the time until midday when I would be falling through the air at 200kmh strapped very close to a complete stranger.
Normally I would have been worried about this prospect but I think I have panicked out all my panicking reserves coming to terms with the fact I am going to be a father so plummeting to earth seemed a cake walk in comparison! So it was a leisurely trip around Huka Falls to see where NZ's longest river the mighty Waikato river which has only just been formed from Lake Taupo gets slammed into a 10m wide chasm along for about 100m and then drops 10m into a pool below before widening back out to its former width. The water here is a sea of froth and spume and as the sun was shining the waters were a milky spearmint blue and looked very enticing for a swim. Probably best not as it would have meant certain death!
A quick phonecall after our visit to the falls to check that the skydive was still on and before I knew it I was sitting in the reception of Freefall skydives deciding whether to do the jump from 12000ft or 15000ft. Well, in for a penny and all that, I opted for the 15000 option! After watching a quick video showing us what to expect it was time to get fitted up for the harness' and attractive leather helmet/goggle combinations. Then came the wait. The group before us was delayed so we had to wait for them to go up when the rapidly closing in clouds let them. After about 45 minutes it was my groups turn to bundle into the plane. I was introduced to my tandem partner, I gave Katie what might be a final kiss goodbye (just after she had devoured a marmite sandwich may I add, I hate Marmite!) and before I knew it I was stuffed into the back of a plane and with 5 camera people 4 other pensive looking people and 5 tandem instructors who looked as if they couldn't care whether they were on the ground or falling through the air.
We slowly climbed to 5000ft which would be the level where we make the transition from freefalling at 200kmh to a near halt as the parachute is opened. This was going to be a testing time for the harness/family jewels arrangement and I had already been warned by Katie to make sure that there is no entanglement of the two at this point!
The plane carried on climbing and the view out over Lake Taupo was amazing. Then the door was flown open at the back of the plane and the first jumper looked a little worried. When a suitable gap was found in the cloud cover the cameraman for the first jump disappeared closely followed by the tandem. Then the next two went in quick succession and before I knew it I was at the back of the plane looking out of the door. I psyched myself up and they shut the door. Great. The plane circled for what seemed like ages when your heart is beating like a tribal drum (probably only 30 seconds though) and then it was my turn. The door opened, we shuffled to the edge and put my feet outside the plane, my camerawoman disappeared, I put my head back and next thing I knew I was out of the plane looking down with nothing between me apart from a few wispy clouds and the only thing that would stop me hitting the ground at terminal velocity was a complete stranger who had probably only said 20 words to me since we were introduced 10 minutes previously!
I had approximately 1 minute of freefall which goes past like it was a couple of seconds, but in that short time I was filmed and photographed like a C-list celebrity. I was spun round and round, generally acted like a moron for a bit and then before I knew it the camerawoman waved goodbye and the chute was opened. The deceleration was amazing but luckily I was not caught up down below so that left me to enjoy the 5 minute descent from 5000ft under the canopy. The first thing I said to the instructor was that I am going to HAVE to do another one of these jumps. Apparently he hears that quite a lot he said! Slowly cruising down to earth I asked if he could spiral decent a tandem parachute. He said nothing but yanked his left hand out to the side and sure enough the whole rig went sideways spinning round and round and round and just as the blood started to run away from my brain and things went fuzzy he yanked out the right cord and we spun round the other way… That was fun!
All that was left was me to lift my feet and a smooth landing on terra firma awaited. The whole experience had to be one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever done but its a shame that it only lasts for a short while.
This years Christmas present list not only consists of a jetboat but also a small plane and a parachute now… so far!