Here is some feedback from members who won prizes at the first combined bash. Many thanks to the sponsors and Linda for organising prizes!

Skydiving with Skydive Citrusdal --> Gareth Pinnock

Last weekend (12 August), Citrusdal was inundated by more mad people wanting to jump from an aeroplane. Strangely enough, some normally sane pilots from Cape Town Flying Club were involved. I managed to get a few mates to do the jump with me on Saturday, and David Barnes took his family up on the Sunday. David forgot the golden rule (keep your aircraft away from skydivers, who always want to remove the doors!) and flew up, while I beat the weather and drove.

After watching a few jumps, and changing my pants about as often, my turn finally came. Watching the static liner's (including a young Russel) do their jumps from 3500ft is whenyour brain finally wakes up to the fact that you are about to throw yourself at the ground. Luckily, been strapped to an instructor (to say nothing of watchingthe girls do it first), means that there is very little incentive to chicken out.

And for good reason. The view once you are outside the plane must be seen to be believed! The freefall from 10 000ft can be only be described as awesome, and, no matter what my ex says, I still think 35 seconds is a very long time!!!

The fun does not end once the canopy opens. To be flying without the noise of an engine - and without the normal fuss that involves for us - ranks as one of my best flights. A few steep turns complete the fun and, if you are not screaming yet, it is possible to hear your friends on the ground below.

Converts have been made, and already plans are in motion to do static line courses in the near future. Thanks must be given to Skydive Citrusdal for sponsoring a tandem jump at the combined Christmas bash last year (won by the Barnes family).