Dubai Skydiving: Conquering Soaring Fear

The need for an adrenaline rush, such as that provided by skydiving, had always stayed within me like a dormant fire. I couldn’t get the thought of soaring into the skies, defying gravity’s pull, out of my head. I wished to feel the wind rush past me, to feel the pleasure of freefall, and to reach out and touch the clouds that appeared to dance above me. It was a long-held yearning of mine to break free from the shackles of habit and comfort, even if only for a brief while.

After years of dreaming about it, I never really got a chance to get close to my dream of skydiving anywhere in the world until I finally decided to fulfill it in 2018 on my birthday.

The Skydiving Thrill

With a heap of excitement, I decided to go on a trip to Dubai just to fulfill my lifelong dream of jumping out of the plane and landing safely on the ground. Even before booking my flights to Dubai, I booked my skydiving slot in haste as I did not want to miss it this time. The cost was 50k INR and I had to pay the advance of 30k during my booking. I did not even wait for a second, paid the advance, and booked my flights the next day in excitement.

I was on the verge of tears as I booked my Dubai skydive, anticipating an amazing experience. My pulse raced at the possibility of soaring into the sky and feeling the rush of wind against my skin. However, I had no idea that this experience would take me on an emotional rollercoaster, putting my courage to the test and pushing me to my limits.

The day finally came and I boarded my flight to Dubai from Bangalore with much anticipation and excitement. I couldn’t feel the hours passing by and soon I landed in Dubai. My accommodation was pre-booked and I spent the night in my hotel and explored the city the next day. My friend was already living there and happened to get occupied in his office meetings and finally met me on the third day.

We had a good conversation about the city’s vibrant culture and had a good dinner and then finally I revealed my skydiving plans to him. I expressed all my excitement to him until he recounted a recent skydiving fatality. His remarks were like a cold shower, drenching my joy in a chilling dose of reality. Fear began to seep in as I remembered the recent episode. My friend’s warning story sparked a debate within me: was the rush of jumping worth the risk?

As the terror began to chip at my determination, I began to doubt my decision. Doubts loomed huge, and the prospect of jumping out of an airplane sounded more reckless than adventurous. In the face of fear, I considered abandoning the event entirely, concluding that my feet would be safer rooted on firm ground.

Despite my doubts, curiosity won out the next morning. I decided to go to the skydive zone only to see the courageous folks who dared to jump. My pulse beat with a mixture of awe and anxiety as I approached the spot. Skydivers gently descending from the air sparked a flame within me, reminding me of the joy that awaited those who dared to leap.

I felt an unknown rush of courage flood over me amid a sea of adrenaline seekers and daredevils. I couldn’t just walk away without giving it a shot. Despite my nagging worry and the incessant voice of doubt, I stayed firm, determined to face the battle ahead. I rushed to the counter to confirm my decision where they took my BMI and written confirmation on the agreement that I am doing this activity and would be solely responsible in the ill course of events.

I braced myself for the moment of truth as I watched the others take their turns, each leap motivating me. When it was finally my turn, I was climbing into the plane, my heart thumping in time with the engine’s scream. The adrenaline running through my veins was like a tremendous torrent, drowning out the fears that threatened to hold me back.

The plane took off, bringing me closer to the sky than I had ever been. The rush of wind and the great expanse of blue left me breathless when the door opened. My skin prickled with goosebumps as I shuffled to the edge, my toes dangling over the abyss. Then I jumped without hesitation.

The sensation of freefall was unlike anything I’d ever felt. The world flew by in a flurry, and for a brief moment, time appeared to stop still. I succumbed to the moment – a leap of faith into the unknown – as the wind screamed in my ears, drowning out my thoughts. As I hurtled towards the ground, ninety seconds felt like an eternity.

The world around me faded into insignificance as fear and thrill combined into a heady concoction of emotions. The ground under me became closer, and my pulse beat harder, banging against my chest as though attempting to escape.

Then, in a spectacular turn, the parachute unfurled, stopping my fall and transforming it into a leisurely glide. The abrupt change in speed seemed like a release, and I found myself poised in mid-air, staring down in astonishment at the world below. For about 4-5 minutes, I was hanging with a parachute in the air but with a sigh of relief that I was no longer ascending to the ground with magnetic force. Finally, my heartbeat returned to normalcy as I saw the ground a few feet above my feet.

A wave of triumph washed over me as my feet struck the ground again. The adrenaline was still racing through my veins, but it was now accompanied by a sense of success that overshadowed any remaining fear. I had overcome my doubts and worries and emerged victorious on the other side.

The Dubai jump experience was more than simply the excitement of freefall or the stunning sights; it was a monument to the human spirit’s tenacity. It showed me that, while fear is a formidable foe, it can be overcome with courage and commitment. The memory of that leap will always remind me that the most gratifying moments in life are frequently on the other side of fear, waiting to be welcomed and enjoyed.

To book your slot for this insane adventure of your lifetime, visit the official skydiving website of Dubai here.

Read about my other adventurous sport in Phuket here.