Ashley

How many years do you have in the sport?

5

When you were a kid, were there any early activities that might indicate you’d one day become a skydiver?

As a child, I always had an innate sense of adventure and a fascination with flight, but I wouldn’t have necessarily connected those early interests to skydiving. My great grandfather was a pilot, and his passion for aviation deeply influenced me. I started flying as a tribute to him, never imagining it would eventually lead me to skydiving. I always dreamed of making a jump once I turned 18, though I never quite followed through on it. However, as I spent more time flying for skydivers, my curiosity and interest in the sport grew, and that spark from my childhood finally culminated in me completing my first jump. In hindsight, my early love for aviation and my natural inclination to push my boundaries were the foundation for what would later become my pursuit of skydiving.

What was the circumstance that led you to the DZ for the first time to make your very first skydive?

The circumstances that led me to the drop zone for my first skydive were a confluence of curiosity, chance, and the unexpected paths that aviation can take. I had befriended a fellow pilot who was flying skydivers, and he invited me to observe the operations at the DZ. Initially, I simply wanted to understand the dynamics of the sport from a pilot’s perspective. After a few test flights with him, I became captivated by the intricacies of the jump and the energy surrounding the sport. It wasn’t long before I was offered a position to continue flying skydivers after he moved on to another opportunity. In a way, the invitation to observe was more than a mere introduction to skydiving—it marked the beginning of my own immersion into the world of flight and freefall. What started as a casual curiosity soon evolved into a deeper commitment, leading to my very first skydive, a moment that would forever change my perspective on aviation.

What’s the best / most memorable skydive you’ve ever made?

The most memorable skydive I’ve ever made was, without a doubt, my first. As a pilot, I had the unique experience of flying jumpers and observing the entire process from the cockpit, yet the skydiving perspective remained an intriguing mystery. Leading up to that first jump, the uncertainty of how I would actually experience freefall was what made it most nerve-wracking. I was familiar with the logistics and the technicalities of the jump from the air, but I had no idea how it would feel physically or emotionally. Once I exited the aircraft and was in freefall, the sense of liberation and exhilaration completely altered my perspective. The initial anxiety was replaced by a profound sense of awe and clarity. That first jump transformed not just how I viewed skydiving, but how I understood the connection between the pilot and the jumper—it was an unforgettable experience that deepened my passion for both flying and skydiving.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about jumping for the first time?

If you’re thinking about making your first skydive, my advice would be simple: embrace the unknown. There’s something uniquely transformative about stepping out of your comfort zone and into the vastness of the sky. Sure, it might feel intimidating at first, but that’s exactly what makes it so exhilarating. The moment you leave the aircraft, time seems to slow down, and you’ll experience a rush of freedom like nothing else. It’s not just about the thrill of freefall—it’s about gaining a new perspective on what you’re capable of. My advice? Let go of any doubts, trust the process, and savor the moment. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel once you’re on the ground will stay with you long after the jump. It’s an experience that, once you have it, you’ll always want to revisit.