When the plane reached 14,000 feet altitude, I could do nothing but allow my body to move forward to the open door, and without even a “1-2-3” I was falling out of the sky at 120 mph. The only way I can describe the sensation is to compare it with sticking your head out a car window while simultaneously being doused in cold, compressed air. It stole the breath from my lungs, and my heart was in my throat as I continued to fall, and all I could think to myself was “How is the sky so blue?”
I had arrived at Skydive Danielson, Connecticut on a bright October morning. After signing pages and pages of waivers and contracts, I was booked and ready to begin learning how to do a tandem skydive. We were given specific instructions on body formation, plane etiquette, and what to expect the minute our body leaves the plane. After that, it was time to suit up and meet our tandem instructor. After being fitted into my rig, it was time to head to the plane.
During our ascent, all I could do was watch the trees and buildings grow smaller and smaller underneath me. My mind began racing and I could only wonder if I had just made the biggest mistake stepping onto this plane.
At last, though, the parachute deployed, and in an instant, the world went quiet. The wind stopped rushing in my ears, and it was like someone hit the pause button for the world around us. I opened my eyes fully and saw an entirely new world of color. My tandem instructor, Jerry, pointed out the Hartford skyline, Long Island Sound, and Cape Cod. Nothing could have ever prepared me for the sight of the entire world beneath my feet.
How did I get here? In the vast blue sky on a crisp October morning? Well, the best things in life are on the other side of fear . . . at least, that’s the philosophy of Sierra Gray, ‘24. Over the summer, Gray spent countless hours, days, and nights pursuing her dream of becoming a certified United States Parachute Association Licensed Skydiver, a task that is not for the weak-willed. She had to complete a series of 25+ skydiving jumps that fall under the Accelerated Freefall category (AFF) and perform various tasks mid-air to test her skill sets and strengths. Overall, Gray spent over 100+ hours learning how to become a skydiver. Watching her dedication and passion for the sport inspired me to to step into the world of skydiving, and see for myself: what was the hype about taking flight?
The best things in life truly are on the other side of fear, and by taking this leap, I was able to push myself outside of my comfort zone and experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to taste the skies. Even when my feet hit solid ground, I could still feel the inner peace of the air, and the happiness that spread throughout my whole body. Being a student sometimes means losing yourself in your work and your responsibility, but for a brief moment in time, I was able to forget everything, and just soar.
Emily Weiner is a senior majoring in English with a specialization in creative writing. Sierra Gray graduated with her BA in mathematics in May 2024 and is currently enrolled in the Accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching program with a concentration in mathematics.
