When you turn 80, what else is there to do but celebrate with a skydive? Nothing says “I’m still alive!” like hurtling toward earth at terminal velocity, after leaping from a perfectly good airplane.
So thought Laverne Everett, who decided she’d take a tandem plunge to celebrate octogenarianism. She opted for the Parachute Center in Lodi, CA, and embarked upon the adventure with family and friends. Though Everett survived, the jump was less than ideal. Here’s what went down.
Ms. Everett was game for the jump, and even remained quite calm and excited as they climbed to the point of no return. Well, maybe Everett thought there was always a point of return, because at a distinct point, the skydive became less than desirable.
Everett reached the jump-door, and began to resist progression. It’s rather comical as the the jump instructor continues to pry her hands away from the door frame, but as it becomes obvious that she doesn’t want to do it, the instructor just looks like more and more of a prick. I dunno…maybe she signed an agreement that if she went up, then she went down via parachute. What I do know is that eight people over the last ten years haven’t lived to tell about their experiences after skydiving with the Parachute Center.
The instructor eventually pried her free, but Laverne had wriggled to such an extent that she was halfway out of her harness. Seriously… the rest you can see for yourself.
