Lately I’ve engaged in a lot of conversations about wingsuiting. It’s something that, when people find out you’re a skydiver, gets asked. “Have you ever tried one of those squirrel suits?’
That and, “do you BASE jump too?”
Though it’s not a discipline where I’ve focused too much of my energy, I am thankful that I have enough of a wingsuit foundation to be able to speak to it.
The first thing I always tell people is that, at this point in time, it’s the closest that we as humans can get to being birds. You’re literally flying your body.
Sure, you’re also still falling a quite a clip (or not, if you’re proficient and flying with massive wings that keep you up in the air for minutes at a time), but the added forward motion gives you an entirely different perspective.
One of the things I tell fellow skydivers about wingsuit flying is that it’s completely different from a traditional skydive. In my opinion, it is, aside from the whole jumping out of an airplane thing – that’s the same.
What’s unique is that the tiniest movements make huge differences – with a wingsuit on you can bend your fingers and you’ll start turning. It’s pretty incredible. During my first couple flights I simply thought about where I wanted to go and that’s where I went. If you’re a skilled skydiver with “bird-like” instincts, you’ll likely be able to pick it up.
What are bird-like instincts you ask? Hell if I know. But I’ve heard that on more than one occasion from experienced wingsuiters, so make sure you jump with one on your first try…they’ll let you know if you possess them or not.
Having talked out this discipline so much in the recent past, it’s something that I can’t seem to get out of my head. As much as I’m jonesing for some airtime this winter, what I really can’t wait to do is fly my wingsuit again.
Below is part of a video that I put together where I talk a bit about myself. It takes a look at what it is I really love about wingsuiting. As I’ve been promising a video blog for a while now and have yet to find the time to do so, this is what you get from our first meeting.
Hi!
Please excuse the fact that this is mostly about me…it was for a project where I was requested to talk about myself. But, at least you get my perspective first-hand!
So with that, I clearly can’t recommend this discipline more. It truly is an experience like no other.
Love and Blue Skies!
Ashley