Skydiving in the Rain

Skydiving in the pouring rain is truly one of the most exciting things that I have ever done. If you have never been skydiving before or you have never skydived in the rain, you have never lived...It is a unique experience that makes typical skydiving seem rather tame. However, I must stress that this is strictly for the brave and I do not recommend this to everybody.

I was warned that morning that the weather was going to be rough, but my need to feel alive took over and I boarded the plane with butterflies floating around my stomach. I felt nervous for the first time in years and it felt good to actually feel something.

I felt the brute force of the powerful wind push me from side as the plane doors opened. High in the sky, above the rest of society, I felt connected to nature. I remember thinking that this was going to be a jump that I will never forget. I jumped and immediately felt the raindrops hit me. If you are on the ground, raindrops are harmless, but flying through the air at a terrifying speed, those innocent raindrops transformed into weapons. It felt as if there was somebody in the clouds shooting me with a paintball gun. My blood was pumping, my heart was beating and my soul was smiling. I was skydiving in Cape Town, this is life and it's beautiful.

It was all worth it, the visibility was terrible, the raindrops were painful and I was freezing, but it was an experience that I will never forget.

If you ever decide to skydive in the rain here are some tips:

Remember to dress warmly. Jumpsuit manufacturers specifically make thermal suits to wear under underneath your normal jumpsuit to keep your body warm. I suggest silk inners inside your gloves or even surgeon gloves to keep your fingers warm. It is very important to keep your fingers warm, as losing sensation will cause you trouble when the time comes to pull your parachute. Full face helmets are also warmer than open helmets. Neck warmers made from fleece material are essential. Try to warm up and stretch before you jump. This will help to improve your arch, reduce the risk of pulling a muscle in free fall manoeuvres and more importantly warm up your body.

These are some skydiving rules regarding poor weather: With regards to cloud limits, parachutists may not leave the aircraft if, at the point of exit, the ground between the opening point and the intending landing area is not visible. The minimum flight visibility must be at least 5km. When it is raining, the visibility is poor, therefore skydiving is not recommended.

I suggest you stick to these rules for your safety. However, skydiving in the rain remains on my list of the top five things for everyone to do before they die.