Ester Marsh: Skydiving was on my bucket listing

Ester Marsh: Skydiving was on my bucket listing

Published 2:00 am Saturday, August 22, 2026

Guess what — turning 60 is a blast! First of all, I at all times inform those who it’s higher to become old than going 6 toes below. Every 12 months that I get to like life, my household and all my furry and scaly animals is a superb 12 months. This 12 months, my older sister and older brother made a shock go to from the Netherlands. The eve earlier than my sixtieth birthday (Aug. 8) they sat in my kitchen. I had a large number of feelings undergo me in a really quick time. Then, my husband stunned me with a bucket listing merchandise — tandem skydiving, plus the GoPro video and photographs.

I reside on the opposite aspect of Grants Creek from the airport and we see and listen to them on a regular basis, particularly on the weekends. We hear the airplane, and we hear this “poof” when the parachute opens. And at occasions we hear the “Woo-Hoo.” Well, this previous Saturday, I deliberate my skydiving expertise. After I made the appointment, a video was despatched to observe on what to anticipate, and to signal the waiver. I felt fairly good as a result of the video was very informative, however I began to get nervous. I used to be a daredevil earlier than I had my first baby in 1992. After that, I used to be accountable for extra than simply my life. After youngsters, that modifications fully, to some extent that I’ve a worry of heights.

With tandem skydiving, you’re actually connected to your teacher. However, he’s free falling with you. My expertise was implausible! My man was Frank, a seasoned skydiver, and he defined the whole lot so nicely and made me really feel relaxed (as I used to be very nervous!). But all of the instructors at Piedmont Skydiving, proper right here on the airport in Salisbury, have been superb. The sky was Carolina blue, and not using a cloud in sight, and a bit of little bit of a breeze (thank goodness). I used to be harnessed up, issues defined what was anticipated from me, and what to anticipate.

We have been introduced in a trailer to the airplane that was going to fly us to 13,000 toes, the place we might “jump” out and free fall for nearly a minute earlier than deploying the parachute. In my group have been seven tandem jumpers (14 whole), and two who jumped alone. Flying usually, I’m used to looking the window and seeing the earth beneath me, however when that aspect rolltop door opened, it’s a complete different expertise. Frank and I ended up being the final ones out the airplane (so I noticed all the opposite ones soar or “flip” out). It was a bit nerve-racking however Frank talked me via the entire thing. As we have been sliding to the open door (at 13,000 toes), I needed to stick my legs exterior, proper at that time I made a decision to shut my eyes till we have been stabilized in flying place (arched again, arms broad, chin up) and use my yoga/qigong respiration.

Then we “rolled” out. I had a GoPro (a bundle deal via Piedmont Skydiving) strapped to my wrist, and was informed to maintain it prolonged to the entrance the entire time. And boy did I! I’ve superb footage of my soar (they edit and add music). After we twirled for a bit, I felt we have been stabilizing (stomach to earth) so I opened one eye, then the opposite, haha, and I used to be going WOOHOO!!! You free fall (it really felt like flying) for about 50 seconds, then the chute opens. This was a bit difficult for me, as I don’t have a abdomen of metal. So you go from about 120 mph to about 10-15 mph. But after just a few deep breaths and shutting my eyes once more, my abdomen settled and I didn’t throw up on Frank!

As we have been flying with the chute open, we flew near our land and I saved hollering “KEVIN,” and my husband heard me! The touchdown was tremendous easy — you raise your legs and level your toes (different possibility is to bend knees, raise maintain with arms). We slid on our bottoms for only a bit and the exhilaration of this expertise is untouchable. If that is one thing in your bucket listing, do it! We are so lucky to have Piedmont Skydiving proper right here in Rowan County (many individuals needed to journey to skydive). And Frank is my hero! He match completely with my Wonder Woman outfit I used to be carrying. After touchdown, I used to be welcomed to the world of skydiving.

For extra information, contact Piedmont Skydiving at 704-603-7920 or piedmontskydiving@gmail.com.

Skydiver Ester H. Marsh is director of wholesome dwelling on the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA.