‘Fear is the thief of dreams’…Tattooed on a friend’s arm
My parents always wondered what switch I had flicked in my head that suddenly I became so extreme with whatever activities I chose. Even I didn’t know that, but looking back at their personalities, my mom was always a social person and still uses her skills to connect her community. My dad was a sailor most of his life, an avid learner, extremely passionate about traveling and interacting with people. My life is an amalgamation of their stories I heard growing up. They were always a part of me; they’ve helped transform me. Throughout my journey I’ve met some amazing people who’ve motivated me at each and every step. People who never let my dreams fade away; who’ve always fueled my desires; that guided me to where I am today.
My last taste of the azure was sometime back in January 2012 at Skydive Dubai to be precise. The next four years I got engulfed in establishing my startup, gathering new skill-sets and exploring other adventure sports. All those years, right up to this moment, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes was always on my mind, but circumstances keep altering my plans. But today after completing 250 jumps including 40 Wingsuit flights, getting my USPA Coach Rating & being part of the 1st FAI World Wingsuit Championship as a spectator, supporting my team, my coach, my friends…I feel liberated. The joy I’ve experienced is unparalleled.
I planned this trip to USA hoping that I get to represent India at the 1st FAI World Wingsuit Championship 2016, but after training in Wingsuit flying I realized there’s still a long way ahead of me for me to compete. I could’ve participated and had the amazing experience of representing my country behind me, but I thought of holding back until next year. I hope to continue this journey into 2017 as a Performance Wingsuit Athlete.
It wasn’t easy reaching this stage; a lot of sacrifices in terms of professional & personal relationships had been made. I made decisions that I couldn’t explain to my parents, my cousins or my friends. From an outsider’s view extreme sports always seem selfish, a death wish to some, but I feel everyone has a right to choose their own path, carve their own line or write their own story. I’ve never been a fan of trying out things just for the heck of it or as a fancy bucket list. For me the joy has always been in the journey, in the learning, being mentored and in the process discovering newer experiences by oneself.
I can tell you for a fact that flying Wingsuits has completely transformed and evolved my thought process. The art of flying a body that is not meant to be in the sky is simply amazing. If you think skydiving slows down time, wait till you start Wingsuit flying. You figure out how aero-dynamics are affected with even the slightest movement of your body parts. As I type, I’m headed back to ParachuteCenter, Lodi, California to further pursue my dreams. I haven’t had a chance to sit and edit my videos, hence the pictures, but stay put and you won’t be disappointed.
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