Hello my connect friends,
I am an adrenaline junkie!! Are you too?
It is rightly said that ‘The mind that is stretched by new experiences can never go back to Its old dimensions!’- Oliver. Skydiving in Japan was one such experience for me.
Commonly considered as an extreme sport, Skydiving is one of the recreational activities too. It is more common nowadays compared to previous years when it was exclusively used by the Army for cargo parachuting.
My To-do list for Japan was skydiving at number one! There are multiple clubs in Japan which offer Skydiving. I opted for [Tokyo Skydiving Club](http://Tokyo%20Sky Diving Club +81 49-297-7198 https://maps.app.goo.gl/nJy4JJBqV6TPjo7H6) in Saitama prefecture for ease of transportation from my stay and also to explore a few places nearby. It is also very close to Saitama’s [Honda airport](http://Honda%20Airport +81 49-299-1111 https://maps.app.goo.gl/FUUpBEWHNiJf2HEp9). I was accompanied by Ishita (My Indian friend in Japan) to my skydiving destination (Japanese speaking is a task and they don’t prefer English!)
I prebooked the skydiving slot well before time (Around a month prior) and received a confirmation call one day prior.
On the day of Skydiving, I completed all the formalities like filling the consent form, payment etc. The cost of tandem diving when I visited in 2017 was 40000 yen.
For non-Japanese speakers, a native speaker can be availed. After an allotment of instructors and ground training of around 3 to 4 hours we (a group of about 10 participants from different cities/countries) started our journey in an aircraft (Cessna caravan) that took us at about 4000 meters above the ground. We started our dive turn by turn from the aircraft with our instructors. Max- my instructor was super supportive and lively.
And finally we jumped!! The initial free fall was for a fraction of seconds and all I remember is clouds and the noise of air banging my ears. It was worth the risk. One surely needs the guts and courage to feel the free fall (at least for the first time). After a certain distance, Max opened the parachute which ended the free fall and we were much more stable and could enjoy the scenery around. Although each of the steps involves risk, the most vulnerable step of skydiving is landing. I was told by Max repeatedly about what not to do while landing. And that helped and I had my successful skydive in Japan- off my checklist!
I celebrated my skydive with Ishita in a nearby restaurant later that day!
Few tips for skydiving anywhere.
-Reach the venue well before time and get familiarize with the instructor and the equipment.
-Make sure you and the instructor speak and understand the same language.
-No alcohol is to be consumed before (minimum 24hours) opting for a dive.
-Eat light snacks before your dive
-Do imagine and be prepared for practical experiences/ do not panic
-Do not chew gums if you are not sure about your response after free fall.
-Keep your clothing simple, loose enough to breath but slim fit enough to not trouble you while landing.
-Sunglasses can be worn if the instructor says yes (make sure they do not fall as you look down). I was provided with protective transparent glasses.
-Tie your hair (for girls specially) properly (comfortable enough)
After my skydive at Japan, I plan to skydive at Dubai sometime with the scenic views. Would you like to try that? Are you an adrenaline Junkie? What is the extreme sport that you have opted for till date? Have you visited Japan? What is your favorite To-Do list thing?
Live young, Live free!
Just incredible 
