S
SKYDIVING KENYA
There
are many ways to see Kenya on safari,
but how about from 14,000 feet above
the ground, falling earthwards at 120
miles per hour? For adrenaline junkies,
the Kenyan coast has become the latest
hot spot for aerial adventure- where
the equatorial atmosphere at sea level
can give skydivers more than a minute
of full freefall over the beautiful
blue Indian Ocean, before touching down
on pure white sands on one of the
world's best beaches.
This
is the draw for international skydivers
who gather at Diani Beach on Kenya's
South Coast each year for the Kenya
Skydive Boogie. This event, now in its
14th year, is proving very popular both
with experienced skydivers and those
interested in experiencing the thrill
of freefall for the first time. What
began as a social event organized each
year among Kenyan divers has become a
major event on the international
skydiving calendar.
The
term Boogie is generic term for a
gathering of skydivers from all over
the globe, and each year brings a bevy
of boogies as enthusiasts meet up in
the world's best skydive destinations.
To the uninitiated, one skydive
location may not be that different to
any other, but wind and weather
conditions, altitude and the facilities
and attractions on the ground all
combine to make each boogie
unique.
The
Kenyan boogie is becoming increasingly
popular- as it is one of the only such
events where divers are based at a
single beach resort and can depart from
a nearby airstrip and dive from an
aircraft directly over their
base.
This
means that at Diani, skydivers stay at
the http://www.alliancehotels.com
Safari Beach Hotel - take a short 10
minute drive to Ukunda airstrip, take
off in a waiting Air Kenya Twin Otter,
and then dive directly over the beach-
landing on the sands right at the
doorstep of the resort.
Throughout
the 2002 event, over 120 divers made
continual skydives over 2 weeks,
http://www.airkenya.com Air Kenya plane
carrying an average of 13 loads
throughout the day. The air over Diani
was filled with colour as parachutes
drifted on the gentle ocean breezes,
with divers making touchdowns on the
palm lined beach, just a few feet from
their hotel. Divers could wander back
into the resort, compare their jumps
with other divers- freshen up- collect
a newly packed chute and within 10
minutes be airborne again.
For
the skydiving addict, this is a perfect
arrangement- some of the divers at the
2002 event completed 19 jumps in a
single day. But this is not just about
frequency- the other draw is the
freefall.
For
most skydivers, it's all about the
fall- the pure freedom of flight that
lasts from the time a jumper leaves the
plane until the parachute is pulled at
around 2000 feet. The average diver
falls at the incredible speed of 120
miles per hour- but those who have
never tried it may be surprised to know
that this experience does not feel like
falling- the continued momentum of the
plane sends the diver earthward on a
sustained arc- which means that there
is none of the stomach lifting "plunge"
sensation that you may
expect.
This
is the nearest experience possible to
flying free as a bird ñ freedom
at its most pure and simple.
This
is one of the main draws at Kenya's
Skydive Boogie- a combination of sea
level altitude and equatorial
temperature means a long freefall-
often just over a minute as opposed to
the usual average of around 30 seconds.
That may not sound like much of a
difference- but just try it- and you
will relish every second of your
freefall.
There
is plenty to enjoy as you do. The views
from 14,000 feet are literally
breathtaking as you leap from the door
of the aircraft into the thin cool air.
You are plunging towards paradise -
stunning blue water that stretches to
the limits of the stunning blue sky.
Then, as the air currents grow warmer,
and your chute opens, the thin strip of
white below is gradually defined as the
sands of idyllic Diani beach, and the
detail of the coral reef and tiny
fishing boats become clear.
or
skydivers used to landing in paddocks
and fields, this is a unique
experience, and many take their time
descending to the beach, letting their
chutes drift back and forth over the
sea before touching down on the sand.
The favourite dives of the day are the
special sunset jumps, timed to let
divers glide across the beach as the
sun dips to the horizon. Even for
non-jumpers, this is a special time of
day, the air over the beach filled with
the coloured silk of parachutes as the
divers land and gather for sundowner
drinks.
This
is a social sport, and the Boogie is a
very social event. Skydivers from 16
different nations gathered at Diani,
including members of skydiving clubs
and specialist skydive formation teams.
The international camaraderie adds to
the Boogie experience, and being based
in a single beach resort made this
Boogie ideal for fun both on and off
the ground. Of course, travelling to
Kenya for the boogie also gave them the
opportunity to combine their skydiving
with some more 'down to earth' safaris
throughout the country.
If
you are a non-skydiver, there is no
need to feel left out. The Boogie is an
ideal chance to be introduced to the
sport. Specialized tandem jump and
skydive instructors are on hand
throughout the event.
Tandem
jumps are the best way to discover
skydiving. Physically attached to an
instructor, you jump together, giving
you all the thrill of a skydive, with
none of the stress of managing your
descent and parachute along the
way.
These
jumps are extremely popular- and
straightforward- after a 15 minute
safety briefing, you are ready to climb
on board the plane and jump. A tandem
jump is an unforgettable experience,
but for many- it is not a "once in a
lifetime" thrill. After this
introductory taste of the pure
adrenaline and freefall, plenty of
jumpers- even those who may have felt
some apprehension at throwing
themselves out of plane- can't wait to
do it again.
The
Boogie also offers full accelerated
freefall courses with professional
instructors, in which students become
fully fledged, qualified
skydivers.
For
all of the fun of the Boogie, this is a
serious professional event, which is
run to exacting international safety
standards. The organizers- Kenya
Skydivers- establish a full scale DZ
(Drop Zone) on site at the hotel, with
teams of Kenyan ArmyParatroopers (each
with 1000 jump experience) on hand to
professionally pack and check each and
every parachute used. Full safety
equipment and rescue boats are on hand
throughout the event.
The
Boogie is organized by Harro Trempeneau
of Kenya Skydivers, who has been
skydiving since 1976. He can also
arrange skydives in Nairobi, or for the
truly adventurous- he can arrange a
special skydiving safari, letting you
freefall with a view of Mt Kilimanjaro,
or drift over the plains of the Maasai
Mara.
So
when you are planning your safari to
Kenya, look beyond the usual, and take
to the skies for a very different
perspective on paradise. For more info
on Diani Beach, see the Related Links
above.
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