There is another way to get your thrills in Pattaya that doesn't involve the beach, seafood or setting foot in Walking Street. Thanks to Thai Sky Adventures, since November 2009, Pattaya has gotten a vast degree more exciting for the adventure seeker. You've been surfing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, ziplining, but have you launched yourself out of a perfectly sound aeroplane lately? If not, then I have found the perfect opportunity for you. Take note, because the flight of your life is waiting for you and you don't even need to leave the country for it.
It is a surprisingly little known fact (that I wish to remedy), but you can actually go skydiving in Thailand, without having to join the airforce to do it. More to the point, there is also no need to raise an eyebrow, in concerned skepticism, with regard to any safety issues either. There is a highly professional, albeit a little out of the way, company, just outside of Pattaya, that caters to the adrenaline junkie's delight.
If you just want to try it out in the safety and security of being strapped to a pro, or the daredevil in you says 'throw me out on my own!', Thai Sky Adventures does both. If you first opt for tandem, love and want to go further, there are two options for certification as well, but first more about the actual experience and safety aspects, to get you properly in the mood
Admittedly, it's not the first thought everyone has when they wake up in the morning of hurtling at break-neck (or break every bone in your body) speeds towards the earth from a great height, but there is an undeniable appeal for the daring. Once you've done it once, you're bound to want to do it again and again! If you're under 125kg and over 16 years of age, chances are you can, and it's not as expensive as you'd expect, or as expensive as it can be abroad (speaking from experience).
Statistically speaking, skydiving is safer than horseriding, playing cricket or trying your hand at American football, to put you at ease. Thai Sky Adventures have yet to have any accidents with tandem jumpers, and the chances of getting hurting doing so are slim to none, about 0.5% to be more precise. Owned and managed by English and American partners, who have more than 30 years experience, they, and their team of multi-national instructors, all certainly know exactly what they are doing and are USPA (United States Parachute Association) accredited to boot. Take for example Australian-born Mike Milton, one of their fully-qualified instructors: he has the impressive accolade of ex-world champion sky-surfer, and approximately 14,500 jumps under his belt. The main owner of the company, Harry Harrison, aka Capt. Jack Sparrow, flies 747s for Cathay Pacific. The pilot is British, the qualified master-rigger, who packs industry international standard Micro Sigma riggers they use, is also from the UK and has 30 years experience. There is a main and reserve chute, just in case, and the rigging is complete with AAD (auto-activation device), with an automated self-deploying setting at critical altitude - safety is of paramount concern at Thai Sky Adventures. Parental consent is mandatory from ages 16 to 18 years, and anyone with medical concerns should seek doctor's advice before jumping. Interestingly, they also have a special harness for disabled tandem jumpers. Never attempt to skydive within 24hours of having been scuba diving, although the reverse is perfectly fine. Don comfortable clothes and closed-toe sports shoes and you are ready to go - it's that easy!
Getting there is perhaps the trickiest part. It can seem a little complex, but they do have detailed instructions on their website (http://www.thaiskyadventures.com), with pictures. Alternatively, they are happy to come and pick you up from Pattaya or Jomtien, while groups of 5 or more get a Bangkok pick-up at no extra charge. Think about getting a group or friends together for the fun, as the more of you that jump, the cheaper the price becomes. While one person tandem skydiving is at 9,950Baht, 10 or more people can bring the price down to just 7,500Baht each. They have a range of packages and promotions, with and without accommodation, such as their 'Awesome Foursome', whereby you can combine skydiving with either bungy jumping, kitesurfing, scuba diving or ziplining, for added kicks.
Once you've filled in some forms, signed your waiver, decided whether you want dvd, photos or both, for posterity so to speak, have been safely kitted out and received your instructional briefing, they'll whisk you up 13,000ft and out you go. Plummeting some 195kmph, the sensation is thrilling, the views stunning and the ride of your life is taking place as you whoop and yell as loud as your voicebox will permit, all the while grinning from ear to ear, aided by the g-force flapping your cheeks back to the extreme - all in a day's work. Then, once the main chute is released, the rapid descent is abruptly halted, as the pace changes to a more leisurely swoop and glide over the countryside, to the landing arena, marked with a giant orange arrow.
Afterwards back on terra firma, you can sign up for the USPA Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Progression course, or the complete A-License AFF training course and learn to jump solo - the complete course costs around 119,500Baht, including jumps and accommodation. Whatever your choice, it's sure to be action-packed excitement. Not only are you in safe hands, but all staff are incredibly amiable and put you right at ease. Again, again, sign me up!
Credit : Bangkok Post
