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Gazette reporter tries skydiving indoors
IT'S on the list of 101 things to do in your life.
And while tempted by the thought of throwing myself out of plane at 10,000 feet for the ultimate adrenalin rush, it nonetheless brings me out in a cold sweat.
But how about a flying experience minus the concern the parachute might malfunction as you freefall at 130mph?
It's all possible at Airkix Indoor Skydiving - a new indoor skydiving tunnel at Trafford Quays in Manchester.
So, fellow roving reporter Lisa Ettridge and I jumped at the chance. Quite literally.
Although not quite as dramatic as leaping out of a plane and plunging to the ground through fluffy white clouds, falling into what looked like a gigantic test tube was still pretty nerve-racking.
Our highly skilled instructor - from the International Bodyflight Association (IBA) - made every effort to put us at ease as we donned the all-in-one, blue jumpsuit, helmet, ear plugs and rather fetching, matching goggles.
I was first up and as I entered the chamber with an orange light flashing frantically and an un-nerving, beeping noise blaring above my head, the fear hit.
I'm not sure if it was the air currents or our dishy instructor Luca Montagnese, from Milan, that finally swept me off my feet.
As I made the leap of faith I was desperately trying to remember the key points from our briefing. Arch your back like a banana. Check.
Keep your arms out in front of you at 90 degrees. Check. Chin up. Well, I didn't really have much choice as 1.7m cubic feet of air blasted every minute through the vertical wind tunnel flyers.
It's certainly the most surreal experience I've ever had - standing vertically at the entrance of the 39ft tall tunnel one second and being sucked into the chamber with a stream of 100 mph air moving upwards to support my entire weight, the next.
You feel completely weightless while at the same time being acutely aware of every part of your body as the instructor clings onto flailing limbs.
Luca finally set me free and let me fly solo. Shooting upwards I felt like Peter Pan but seconds later - as soon as I started to relax - the level of concentration wavered, the all important 'banana' position went pear-shaped and I fell into his arms like a sack of potatoes. Not that I'm complaining.
Two minutes in the wind tunnel doesn't sound long but it's quite amazing how quickly you can master the basic flying position as you're suspended in the air.
It's sky divers' heaven as they use the tunnel to practice their gravity-defying flips and rolls.
Luca, who started sky diving ten years ago following a jump during military service in Italy, said: "You can compare it to being in the sky. In fact, a lot of sky divers come here to do training.
"You don't have the stress of packing your parachute and it's a very big wind tunnel.
"Sky divers prefer this one. I have friends who come from Italy to use it.
"It's great for people of all ages - from four to 104! But children especially take to it really well, they learn quickly.
"Some people are scared at first but they end up laughing and enjoying it.
"It's a great opportunity to work with my passion. It's a nice job teaching people how to fly."
Luca assured me it only takes 30 minutes for budding sky divers to be able to fly on belly and back and zoom up and down the wind tunnel without any assistance.
But according to his de-brief, I'd do well not to open my legs as wide. OK, point taken.
As the brainchild of daredevil entrepreneur Simon Ward, the 4.5m, 14ft diameter wind structure is set to take the title of the UK's best indoor skydiving tunnel.
The concept has seen huge success at the flagship location in Milton Keynes where more than 50,000 flyers visit the wind tunnel each year.
Mr Ward said: "Airkix is an exhilarating, adrenalin packed activity that is perfectly positioned for those seasoned sport lovers and families looking for a great day out "The new tunnel is fantastic – larger, faster and super smooth. UK skydivers have started the buzz around the world that Manchester can now boast the best ever made."
With Airkix Manchester standing right next to the Chill Factor ski slope, the Trafford Quays are fast becoming the number one location for
adrenalin junkies – bar Blackpool Pleasure Beach, of course.
And I'm certainly not ready to go cold turkey just yet.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: West
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