Once in a life time opportunity, charity close to my heart, charity run by a good friend and something I’ve always wanted to do. How can you refuse and offer like that.
I’ve always wanted to go the next level as I’m a bit of an adrenalin junkie, and Steve ask a few of us if we would like to help raise money for his charity by jumping out of a plane, at first is was only to do a Tandem jump, but as I’ve already done two, and one of those was for Charity (British Heart foundation), I Wanted to do the first level AFF (Advanced Freefall), that was the only way I would do it.
No one could quite imagine what was involved and many people who sponsored me thought I was doing a Tandem, until they viewed the video of the jump. Everyone thought I was crazy, and those who knew me thought typical Kat.
On the day of the Jump, we had and 7-8 Brief which involved learning what to do, how to hold your position, signs, what to do if you canopy doesn’t open, etc.
One hour before the jump we were kitted up and this was when my nerves started to kick in, thoughts like “Oh my god, what I am I actually doing” mixed with excitement, and I was literately jumping around like Tigger. That must have been a funny sight for everyone. We had to have a final run through on the ground to that my instructors were sure that we knew what was expected of us, that we didn’t panic when we finally in the door of the plane, and most importantly the kit check, to ensure that we had everything we needed and the important Radio check to allow the tower to guide you down under canopy.
Finally on the plane, nerves and heart in mouth, as the instructors quizzed you on what you needed to remember, great idea stops you from feeling nervous (it really helped), then we were the last people out of the plane, check in, check out and then throw yourself out, and without really thinking I was out of the plane, remembering everything I needed to do. As quick as a flash, I’ve watched it over and over again on the video, you literately throw yourself out.
Asked on landing whether I would do it again....answer is “YES, YES, YES” just need to save up for the next 7 levels to become Cat 8.
All in all it was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life, and I would do it in a flash if offered the chance again.

Kat Kerr