Audacity is their synonym. While being undaunted, they call themselves skydivers; the skydivers of the Sri Lanka Airforce (SLAF) are an exceptional breed. They take the bull by the horns.
They assert the entire gamut of spunk and grit from overwhelming adventure to blissful contentment. The SLAF shelters highly adept and proficient paratroopers and skydivers. With the commander of the SLAF Air Marshal Udeni Rajapakse officiating the ceremony, August 1 marked the inauguration of the “Eagles’ Skydive Sri Lanka” Tandem Jump Sports Club at the SLAF Camp, Koggala.
The Tandem Jump Sports Club is the brainchild of Air Marshal Rajapakse; his inventiveness is an intriguing source of inspiration for would-be tandem skydivers.
The initiatory tandem jump session was a success where the commander became the morale booster for the first time jumpers; he put his best foot forward where the assurance and confidence given to the amateur jumpers were the poise and refinement of his collaborative and inspiring commandership.
During my conversation with Wing Commander Vijitha Gomes, Commanding Officer, Sri Lanka Air Force Parachute Training School, I got to know that through the Tandem Jump Sports Club, the SLAF is expected to keep the interested individual’s chin up where they could institute this exciting and venturesome sport gradually across the island.
Safety
Wing Commander Gomes notes that only the jumpers in the security forces have been around the block for so long and currently the SLAF in particular has got three officers who have done 1,500 jumps so far. Group Captain Jagath Godakanda, Wing Commander Sumedha Ritigala and Wing Commander Vijitha Gomes decorate this specific group of parachutists who lavishly share their knowledge with the tandem jump operations at the club.
The three officers received their training from the United States Parachute Association (USPA). With such outstanding officers whose track records are remarkable in their selected field of parachuting, the SLAF guarantees the safety of the Tandem skydivers whose trust kept in them is never taken for granted.
Tandem Skydiving is almost a part and parcel in the itinerary of some holiday makers. Its popularity is sustainable due to various reasons in which the cheerful and elated liberties that it gives to the participants give rise to the zeal and passion of the.
Wing Commander Gomes says that Tandem skydiving makes novice jumpers handsomely able, capable and durable within the sport whilst arousing their inner passion and enthusiasm for the free fall on one fine day. “We find that a lot of people who love being adventurous are truly keen on this interesting sport. You may initially call it your pastime, however, with the time, following a proper training, you would even make it your lucrative business,” The Wing Commander said.
He also notes that there are some well-trained jumpers with vast experience who have retired. If their interest in jumping is still alive, doors are open for them to resume their jumping through the Tandem Jump Sports Club. “This is a remarkable sport the value of which never recedes but keeps growing. There is a window of opportunities waiting for you, as you get qualified as a paratrooper, and I confidently say that your journey towards the destination of a free-faller begins with tandem jumping.
“We assure everybody who has got a sincere interest in this absolutely thrilling sport that we are always there to help them in order to fulfill their desire of having a tandem jump”, Wing Commander Gomes said.
Adventure tourism
The SLAF’s Tandem Jump Sports Club operates from Koggala and Ampara. With the Aero Bash 2024, Tandem Skydiving enthusiasts can jump on the bandwagon at China Bay Air Force Academy, Trincomalee from 22-26 August during which they can celebrate life and let go of their fear.
With the inauguration of the Tandem Jump Sports Club, promoting adventure tourism which is also one of the most sought after aspects in the domain of tourism becomes a key objective of the SLAF; the endeavour is also able to contribute to the island’s economy. Tandem Skydiving is not a strange phenomenon.
It is one of the trendiest ways of experiencing the excitement of skydiving through the clouds; in this aspect, a novice is solidly and soundly attached to a professional tandem skydiving instructor. One person floats above the other during the free fall, with one’s back against the frontside of the other.
The self-fulfilment and the fresh confidence that thrive in the novice jumper are of immense degree of motivation. Capturing the core and ethos of the community of skydivers is a covenant to the individual’s vigour and vitality.
The SLAF offers the Tandem Jump instructor course which has specifically been designed for experienced parachutists. Following the successful completion of the course, the certified Tandem instructors become eligible to guide the amateur jumpers in their pursuit of experiencing the gripping venture of diving from the sky to the ground.
“When you soar through the air, you get a feeling of being unified with the universe which you can hardly elaborate. You would probably feel that you are an integral part of the universe and with no doubt, you may call it an extremely delighted and proud moment in your life”, Wing Commander Vijitha Gomes said.
The SLAF invites the interested people to contact its Tandem jump sports club to experience the rousing and invigorating adventures in tandem skydiving.
