New to the Ottawa Valley, skydiving company Airborne Petawawa was looking to add their name to the book of world records Saturday. July 13 marked World Skydiving Day and in the spirit of the day, the free falling community came together to set the record for most skydives completed across the world in a single day. "Basically, it's the number of jumps done in a single day all over the world," Airborne Petawawa's dropzone manager and lead tandem instructor Aria Vela told CTV News Ottawa.
"Solo jumpers, students, whatever you are, and actually a tandem skydive counts for two jumps." The allure of claiming part of a world record drew out seasoned jumpers and first timers to the Pembroke Airport Saturday. "I get right jacked up adrenaline-wise, right before and during, it's great," said skydiver Adam Favero, a former military member who estimates he's completed 50 jumps.
"I kind of get that open state of mind where you don't really think about too much going on, except that you're in the moment doing it right now. And that's really all you can think about. And on the way down, it's just going for the ride, like it's exhilarating.
" Airborne Petawawa says they jump from 12,500 feet high. During tandem jumps, pairs freefall for roughly one minute before the parachute is released around 6,500 feet. It then takes about five minutes to sail back down to the ground for landing.
"I think they want to face a fear and feel that freedom after you face a fear," says Vela on why people decide.