10 QUESTIONS WITH JAKE LUMSDEN

1. What attracted you to the sport of skydiving?

I have always been interested in the idea of flying. I remember specifically when I was a kid and my parents had taken me to an air show. Of all the events, a Canadian CRW (Canopy Relative Work) team caught most of my attention. I remember watching the team fly their canopies information and safely land. From that point forward, anytime I would see or hear anything about skydiving, I would become excited and curious.

2. What influenced you to actually make the phone call to make your first skydive?

When I was sixteen, my Uncle took me up for a flight in a C-180 (similar to the airplanes at WSC). While we were flying near the Jefferson airport,we heard “Jumpers away” over the radio. We decided to land there and take a look. Little did I know at the time, this was the first step on my new journey. I loved the environment at WSC and decided that it was the place I wanted to jump. So the following spring, I gave Alex a call and scheduled a tandem jump.

3. What’s the most memorable skydive you’ve ever been on?

There are so many to choose from! There was one jump that sticks with me. It was a 4 way jump and the free fall maneuver didn’t go quite as planned. After this failed attempt, the reaction on my friends face in free fall was priceless and had me in tears of laughter. I didn’t know it was possible to laugh like that in free fall.

4. Who inspires you?

Anyone and everyone who chases their dreams.

5. Of the places you’ve visited, what is your favorite place and why?

I really enjoyed my time in Idaho, Utah and the Yellowstone area of Montana and Wyoming. Basically, the west. I love the vast scenery and landscape. I liked being in the presence of the mountains.

6. What other interests do you have outside of skydiving?

There are a variety of activities, but the common denominator is outdoor activities. I love traveling, hunting, hiking, jamming on my ukulele, and spending time on a family farm up north. I also enjoy doing random projects that spark my interest, for example: I have an in progress solar balloon that I’ve been working on. I’m hoping to launch it on a nice sunny and low wind day sometime this winter.

7. What’s something about you that few people know about?

I have a coin collection and actively look for old coins. I don’t buy them, though. Coins are only a part of my collection if I find them. So it’s just the thrill of the hunt, I guess. The oldest coin I’ve found so far is an 1889 Indian Head Penny.

?8. If you could meet anyone in the world for a coffee and a chat (alive or deceased) who would you wish to meet with?

If I could meet anyone in the world for a coffee and a chat, I would meet with my Mom. She passed away after a three year battle with cancer. I was thirteen when she passed. She was, and continues to be, a very positive influence in my life. She and I have so much to catch up on, but wouldn’t know where to start or how to end that conversation. Just being in her presence again would be enough though.

9. What do you do for work? If you could do anything as an occupation what would you do?

I am currently working at CapTel. We provide telecommunication assistance for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. More specifically, I am part of the Technical Assistance Group (TAG). There really isn’t one specific occupation that I desire. But it would have to be an occupation that makes a positive impact and influence on peoples’ (and or animals’) lives.

10. What are your future goals?

Lots of goals! I would like to get my Tandem Instructor rating. On more of a long term, I would like to eventually parachute in every state of the US. I want to BASE jump in Kjerag Norway, Brento Italy, Lauterbrunnen Switzerland, and Zakynthos Greece. I want to write a book. My ultimate goal is to travel and experience as much of this world as possible.