WIESBADEN, Germany - What would make a person jump out of a perfectly good airplane?
The thrill of experiencing a unique outdoor adventure, according to participants on a recent Wiesbaden Outdoor Recreation skydiving trip to Bitburg, Germany.
"It was amazing -- unbelievable."
That's how Raymond Egan, assistant director of a Wiesbaden Child Development Center, described the experience.
"I think it was great to have an opportunity to jump out of a plane," he said, praising the outdoor adventures offered at the Wiesbaden Sports, Fitness and Outdoor Recreation Center.
Despite having never jumped before and not being especially comfortable with heights, Egan said he truly enjoyed the flight down. "There really was no way to prepare. I didn't think about it until I got in the plane."
While the plane ride was not Egan's favorite part of the trip, he was excited to start the trip back down to terra firma -- in tandem with an experienced jumper. "The freefall was the best part," he said.
"It was a good group of people," Eagan added, explaining that everyone on the trip rallied around those who were a little apprehensive.
"This was my third time skydiving," said Travis Thurston, an Air Force veteran and fellow Wiesbaden Family and MWR employee. "It's just such an adrenaline rush. It's addicting.
"Since it was the third time for me, I wasn't too nervous. But still, once the doors open," Thurston said, "it gets real and the nerves come back."
After being fitted for his suit and receiving a safety briefing before the flight, Thurston said he boarded the small aircraft to soar above the clouds at somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000 feet above sea level.
"We came through the clouds right after we pulled the chute release," he said, describing the incredible panorama below the tandem jumpers. "It's beautiful countryside -- multi-colored fields. When you get to that height it's just a mosaic of beautiful fields."
"Everyone was pretty chill," Thurston added, "a great group of instructors."
"This is a great opportunity and a good price," said Albert Klaver, Wiesbaden's Hunting, Fishing and Sport Shooting Program manager and acting Outdoor Recreation director. "It gives people another outdoor adventure opportunity" in addition to such offerings as whitewater rafting, skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking.
"I would encourage anyone who's slightly considering jumping out of a plane to go ahead and do it," said Thurston, adding that tandem jumping is exciting and he looks forward to someday jumping solo.
Wiesbaden Outdoor Recreation offers another opportunity to go skydiving in Bitburg on Aug. 19. Cost of the trip is $299 per person including round-trip transportation, instruction and the tandem jump. Non-jumpers can tag along for $49 per person.
For more information visit the Wiesbaden Sports, Fitness and Outdoor Recreation Center, Wiesbaden.armymwr.com or your local MWR tours and travel office.
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