SKYDIVING INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: SARA WILSON

INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: SARA WILSON

1. WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM?

Born in New Mexico. Raised in Nebraska. College in Texas. Divorced in Nevada. Did most my skydiving in California.

2. WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU BECAME INTERESTED IN SKYDIVING?

I thought I had to join the military or be a smoke jumper to jump out of airplanes. So, at 25 I got an observer ride at Burning Man. That was my first experience watching fun jumpers. I knew I had to do it!

3. IS AVIATION OR ADVENTURE SPORTS SHARED BY ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY?

My uncle was a smoke jumper. And my whole family where fire fighters at some time. My uncle taught me how to PLF (parachute landing fall) at 8 or 9 years old out of the trees I was climbing.

4. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN JUMPING FOR AND HOW MANY JUMPS DO YOU HAVE?

10 years with a 2 year break. Now I’m around 680 jumps.

5. YOU RECENTLY BECAME A TANDEM INSTRUCTOR AND YOU’RE NOW A FULL TIME SKYDIVER. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO WANT TO BECOME A TANDEM INSTRUCTOR?

I have loved watching through the camera lense at peoples first jump experience for years now. I have loved coaching new skydivers, and have been on my mission to be an AFF Instructor for a year now. So sharing my passion with others has always been my goal in skydiving. It was not until Bo, and other tandem instructor friends, suggested it that I even considered doing tandems at all. Seemed only logical to start with doing tandems to share with beginers. And with the support and encouragement from everyone at WSC it really seemed possible.

6. MANY PEOPLE WHO MAKE A SKYDIVE, DON’T NECESSARILY GET HOOKED. WHAT HOOKED YOU INTO THE SPORT?

The freedom and thrill. Free fall is a 360 degree dance floor and then I am the pilot of my own canopy. It’s all ME going through the dance moves of flight. Often sharing with friends.

7. OF ALL THE SKYDIVES YOU’VE MADE, DO YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO THAT STAND OUT AHEAD OF THE REST?

On my 200th I lost and caught my shoe off of an 8 way tube exit. Followed closely by my 500th, a 22 way hybrid from a sky van. But my most favorite was jumping into Yelapa, a small beach town in Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico. There are no roads just boat access into the tropical forest beach town. Did and awesome hybrid. Mostly girls from all over the world on this jump too. Enjoyed the view of all ocean and trees with a small little beach to land on. Afterward we celebrated the end of the fabulous Pachangan Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Boogie 2015.

8. IF YOU COULD JUMP WITH ANY THREE PEOPLE, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY?

1. Family- because then they might understand my crazyness. 2. Any Experienced Skydiver- There is always more to learn. 3. Students- I love seeing that moment when it clicks and they are really flying. Nothing compares to the face and excitement shared afterwards.

9. WHAT ARE YOUR SKYDIVING GOALS MOVING FORWARD?

Finish the AFFI program and continue to travel seasonally for work.

10. TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW?

I wrestled in Jr. High but I also have a doll collection.

11. WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?

Skydiving and fire dancing.