Take the leap!
Soaring through the clouds, 13,000 feet above the ground with a breathtaking view of the Koggala Lake, the coastline, and the endless sea unfolding beneath you, is the ultimate getaway for thrill-seekers craving an adrenaline rush.
On August 1, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) launched Eagles’ SkyDive, its premier tandem jump sports club, the brainchild of SLAF Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapakse. Conducted by three of SLAF’s USPA-trained (United States Parachute Association) paratroopers, the club invites adventurers to embrace the sky with a tandem jump that promises both heart-pounding excitement and unparalleled views.
Soaring high above Koggala: Sewwandi Samarasekara, the first civilian jumper to take on the 13,000-feet jump. Pic courtesy SLAF
Before taking the plunge, jumpers receive comprehensive instructions including a video presentation and hands-on demonstration to ensure they understand the mid-air positions and landing procedures.
They are then transported to 13,000 feet above the clouds aboard a Y12 light transport aircraft. The paratrooper and jumper leap from the aircraft, preceded by a videographer who exits seconds before to capture the experience.
Air Marshal Udeni Rajapakse
Midway through the descent, the parachute is deployed at 6,000 feet, while the videographer opens his at 3,000 feet to navigate back to the SLAF station.
The Sunday Times witnessed the inaugural jumps at the SLAF Station in Koggala. Making the first jump at 13,000 feet was the SLAF Commander.
Moments after landing, the Commander told the Sunday Times: “This is a dream that I had because I wanted to do para jumping. I have done it once, but that was not intentional because I ejected from an ill-fated aircraft some time back. I had no option but to eject, and I landed, but that was at night.”
“This was the first time that I had my own experience during the day time, and it was very exciting. The most exciting part is just before you exit the aircraft,” he noted.
The Commander described the sensation felt in the air: “It was faster than I expected because from the time you exit to opening the parachute – from 13,000 feet to 6,000 feet, I was expecting some time, but I did not have time at all. The first tap came to open my hands, and I was waiting to do something, but the second tap came within no time to get my hands inside,” he laughed. “The landing was superb. I really enjoyed it. It was much smoother than I expected.”
Sewwandi Samarasekara
Sewwandi Samarasekara, the first civilian jumper to take on the 13,000-feet jump was elated by the experience. “I want everyone to get this experience because I can’t express myself over the jump. It was like… how can I explain it?… It was… WOW… It’s just… WOW!”
“You have to jump one day,” she urged. “You will feel the breeze, you will feel the clouds, the temperature – from the cold to the warm, it was amazing. When you see the camp it’s huge, but when you see it from the sky it’s really a small thing. There are a lot of things to see, the sea is beautiful, and I think that this is the best location to jump,” Sewwandi commented on the view from above.
“To those concerned about the cost – just forget it. Collect the money and do it because this is amazing. You won’t get this feeling from anywhere else. You are in the safest hands, so I urge you all to jump with Eagles’ SkyDive,” she said.
Addressing safety concerns, the SLAF Commander was reassuring. “Not because I’m a pilot, but flying is 15 times safer than driving, and it’s 300 times safer than riding a motorbike, so I should say skydiving is 200 percent safer than flying. Because when flying, you have to depend on the machine, but when you’re up in the air with your parachute, you fly on your own. Our number one concern is quality and safety. We don’t compromise safety for any reason. That is my assurance.”
The jumps are carried out by well-trained paratroopers with a combined experience of over 1500 jumps. The team is headed by Commanding Officer of SLAF’s Parachute Training School – Wing Commander Vijitha Gomes who has 19 years of experience, backed by Group Captain Jagath Godakanda and Wing Commander Sumedha Ritigala.
The Air Force Commander further highlighted the initiative’s aim of promoting tourism and economic development. “This endeavour is for tourism development and for the country. The SL Air Force, being a large-scale government organisation, it is our responsibility to support government endeavours and the development of the economy and that is what we are doing.”
Aboard a Y12 light transport aircraft before the jump: Sewwandi and SLAF commander among the group
“For the young generation – it should be exciting and challenging because in Sri Lanka, you don’t get much adventure tourism, so I think this will be a good opening for all the tourists who are coming from all around the world,” he said.
Commenting on SLAF’s intention to expand the adventure sport, he said, “We are going to expand this. We will start it at Koggala, and sometime later, we will expand this to even Sigiriya and some other places depending on the demand. Statistics have shown that people go abroad to do tandem jumps, so we thought of ways to use our own resources.”
“It hasn’t even been two weeks since we advertised, and we already have a big list of names registered,” he said. The SLAF has conducted 15 civilian jumps so far.
“Our aim here is to strengthen the economy of the country by promoting adventure tourism. I invite everyone, and all the tourists everywhere in the world to come and join us and enjoy this adventure tourism. This is fabulous. This is amazing, and this is something you should experience at least once in your lifetime.”
About to land: Air Marshal Udeni Rajapakse. Pix by Eshan Fernando
Jumpers are required to be fully insured with a clear medical report, and are required to sign a waiver before taking on the jump. Those who complete the jump receive a certificate.
What of the costs?
A Silver Package (10,000 feet skydive) comes at Rs. 90,000 (including a one-minute edited video, free photographs and a certificate of completion),
Gold Package (13,500 feet skydive) - Rs.105,000 (includes a two-minute edited video, free photographs, and a certificate of completion).
Reservations can be made through their website https://www.airforce.lk/skydive/, or call +94 76 818 4436 or +94 77 222 9264
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