Imagine jumping out of a plane 13,000 feet in the air for the first time. Maybe this sounds desirable, frightening, exhilarating, or maybe all three. For many college students, this is a goal and a new adventure they are hoping to experience.
Here at Clemson, among the over 400 recognized organizations on campus, our student body has access to the Clemson Dixie Skydiving club, giving students the chance to make this dream a reality. The club, being one of the oldest organizations on campus, aims to provide the student body with a safe, local drop zone.
Walking into the first meeting of a club centered around jumping out of a moving aircraft can be a bit intimidating, from signing waivers to discussing the various risks associated with the sport.
According to freshman Lisa Stevenson, “they prepare you for emergencies and the worst case scenarios, but it’s nothing to really stress too much about. It’s good to know the risks and truths of what could happen.” Lisa, moving from Massachusetts, was looking for a way to get involved in something that genuinely intrigued her and let her take a break from her academic endeavors; Skydiving Club seemed to be the perfect fit.
The club meets weekly on Tuesday nights and has monthly meetings for members to physically partake in the jump. Sometimes, if enough people want to jump, they will take weekend trips. More experienced divers can even compete in the sport. For $220, students can take their first jump and additional jumps for $70. Although with a cost, the experience is like no other, and such a thrill can rarely be encountered on our campus. Requiring no experience except attending meetings, students arrive at their jump time to be greeted by extra safety lessons and instructions regarding parachutes and their possible malfunctions. Participants can be paired up to jump with an instructor or jump on their own.
After letting go of the rafter below the wing of the plane and free falling, Stevenson says the “rush is insane and more fun than I thought possible.”
For the adventurous, thrill seekers, and adrenaline chasers checkout Clemson Dixie SkyDiving Club on Tiger Quest or by email at dixsky@clemson.edu