New Jersey and the surrounding area provides skydivers and those that want to experience skydiving for the first time with some great skydiving centers and certified training facilities.

For example, if you are already a skydiving enthusiast on the east coast, especially the Delaware Valley region, then you probably already know about Skydive Cross Keys, located at the Cross Keys Airport in Williamstown, NJ (part of Monroe Township, Gloucester County, South Jersey).

If not, then you may not be aware that it is a major skydiving center (billing itself as the "premier dropzone") on the east coast, providing jumps for the first-time skydiver (whether you are seeking a once in a lifetime experience or desire to take up the sport) as well as the experienced recreational or competitive skydiver.  It offers training, licensing and jumping opportunities for new and all levels of regular skydivers, male or female.  (I was surprised at the large number of women that like to skydive.)

Until this weekend, I knew very little about the skydiving facility, which also advertises itself as Freefall Adventures.   Let me share with you my first time experience...

(Note: See resource links below for other skydiving facilities in and around New Jersey, the Delaware Valley and the U.S.)

The Decision!

I had always wondered what it would be like to jump out of an airplane with just a parachute, freefalling part of the way down, then parachuting the rest of the way to the ground.  But, to be honest, it was not anywhere near the forefront of my thoughts when my daughter called and asked me if I wanted to skydive with her and some of her friends at school on the weekend.  Part of my brain said, "No Way!!!", but the other part realized that this was a great opportunity to try out something I had frequently imagined in the past what it would be like to do and to spend some time with my daughter.  It also ended up including my son who decided to drive up from college to join us.

My children have reached the age where all of life is an adventure for them to experience for themselves.  I like to encourage them as it's always sad meeting people who wished they would have attempted adventures and experiences when they were younger, especially when still single and healthy, and now are not able.

Having been a parent for many years I am still very concerned for them when they place themselves in situations that have increased risks.  And my life preservation instincts still kick in full force when I'm involved.  So, after agreeing to skydive, I went through several days wondering one one hand "What have I gotten myself into?" and figuring out how I could bow out gracefully, without loosing face and the respect of my kids.  On the other hand, I knew that this opportunity, especially sharing the experience with my daughter and son, would never happen again.  And, after all, it was something I realized I had often wondered what it would be like.

I eventually settled down after getting some more details about the jump and its risk level.  First time skydivers usually jump in tandem with a trained, experienced tandem skydiving instructor with thousands of jumps on their resume (Click here to watch a short clip a tandem skydive).   And surprisingly, if you look at the risk, it's much safer than driving an automobile.  So off we went. 

The Arrival!

When we arrived on Sunday, most of our group had already arrived and been processed.  The day was sunny with a lot of clouds and unseasonably hot, about 90, by mid-afternoon.  Part of the processing includes sitting through an introductory video explaining about the facility, the potential dangers involved and what to expect.  Then you filled out a form providing profile information and signed and initialed scores of disclaimers acknowledging that you were completely participating at your own risk, regardless of what happens. After that, we waited and watched as plane load after plane load of jumpers were called to prepare for the jump, loaded on the plane and then 15 to 20 minutes later spotted after jumping from the plane almost 2.5 miles overhead when their parachutes opened. 

We were scheduled to be the last tandem group of the afternoon.  That meant we had a long wait, but it was worth it because you had a chance to relax, observe others taking off, parachuting down and landing.  We were finally called to report for pre-jump preparations and instructions, which includes practicing what will be expected of you.  By the time it was our turn to board the plane, the sun was getting low in the sky, the wind was changing so we were jumping from the west instead of the east.  The clouds were getting larger, with less blue sky appearing through it.   My instructor made sure my harness was installed, straped on an altimeter so that I can view when to pull the chute (usually between 6000 and 5000 feet, the tandem instructor can also do it if necessary) and that I was ready to go. 

My wife and daughter, both had physical injuries that prevented them from going, so they were there with cameras to record the event and watch us.  They had a great view from the observation deck and could watch us all the way down to the drop zone field in front of the deck.
 
The Jump!

The twin engine prop plane took off after everyone was loaded in.  While ascending to our top altitude of 14000 feet, the instructors are killing time, joking with each other and us.  Finally, nearing approaching our jump altitude, we attached ourselves to our tandem instructor and prepare for the green light to jump as we practiced on the ground.  There was difficulty in finding opening in the white cloud cover now well below us as it had significantly increased, so we made three passes over the opening available.  On the third pass I was my turn and I fall forward out of the plane with my instructor attached to my back...  

No matter what you see or are told about jumping, the adrenaline rush and the sensation of freefalling at upwards of over a 100 miles an hour is a thrill for which words or pictures can't adequately prepare you.  And here I was falling toward the clouds below me while I tried my best to carry out the steps I was trained on the ground to follow under direction of my tandem instructor.  When I pulled the rip cord and the parachute opened, we were still in the clouds, but the change in velocity was dramatic.  Goggles I was wearing were no longer necessary, I did not have the sound of the air roaring past my ears, and I could now wear just my regular glasses without fear of them flying off.  

I'll mention here that even if the primary chute had failed to open, there is a secondary reserve parachute that is activated by an emergency ripcord that would open up.

My daughter had jumped well before me and my son was the last one off after me, but he sailed past me in freefall and opened his chute at 5000 ft.  I did not know that at the time as I was in clouds and could not see him.   My tandem instructor then proceed to maneuver us on down out of the the clouds.  However, while not an intentional part of the jump, finding out what it was like to go through the clouds was something I had always wanted to do and now I had experienced it!

Once we broke through the clouds we could see the remains of a beautiful sunset off to the west, turning the Delaware River to gold.  Philadelphia could be seen... in fact you could see a large portion of South Jersey and the Delaware Valley.  The instructor pointed out the "X" below marking our landing zone so I could orient myself to where we were heading. 

We then had some time to leisurely float down so the instructor took time to show how you steered the parachute and then allowed me to grasp a hold of the two nylon control straps and try to steer.  Pulling down on the left or the right side sent you into an accelerated descent in the direct you were pulling. Pulling both down in front increased your speed going forward.  Pulling back on both put you into a stall and you started to accelerate backward. 

The Landing!

As we came near the drop zone, the instructor took over and guided us down to where we approached the landing field going into the wind.  He told me to lift and extend my legs together as we were trained prior to the jump, so as to minimize injury on landing.  However, the leg harness had moved up too high and tight on my leg so I could not raise my legs sufficiently.  He maneuvered the parachute to where it was practically hovering just a foot or two above the ground and then came on in to touch down. My feet touched first as we landed and I dropped gently to my knees and hands. Not as graceful as my son and daughter who landed standing up, but I was now safely back on terra firma.  

I thanked the instructor for the great skydive and went on inside the main building to receive my flight certificate and the first official entry in my flight log.  Then I joined the rest of the group who were excitedly sharing with each other about their skydives.
 
I don't know that I will ever take up skydiving as a sport, but if I am able to have the opportunity to skydive again I won't hesitate to take it.  My son and daughter are now seriously considering getting trained and taking up the sport in the future. 
 
Cross Keys Skydiving is not the only facility in New Jersey and the Delaware Valley.  

See the resources links below for available USPA sanctioned facilities.
 
 
Resources:
Skydiving (Wikipedia)
Skydive Cross Keys / Freefall Adventures (South Jersey, Delaware Valley)
Skydive Jersey Shore (Central New Jersey, New York City area)
Skydive Sussex (North Jersey, New York)
Skydive Pennridge / Skydive Philadelphia (Northern Philadelphia, Trenton NJ area)
How Skydiving Works
Tandem Skydiving (Wikipedia)
United States Parachute Association (USPA)
USPA Drop Zones in New Jersey
USPA Publications
DropZone.com (good summarized information about dropzones)
College Skydiving
Skydiving Weather
Skydiving Magazine (FAQs about Skydiving)
Skydive Radio
You've Gotta Try This! (Adventure Sports Site)
Skydive Movies

 
Check out the skydiving experiences of others on YouTube
 
 
 

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