Peak Adventures at Sacramento State is set to deliver 13,000 feet worth of thrills to a group of daredevils as they jump out of planes into the wild blue yonder.

On Oct. 18, the outdoor recreational program will lead a group of Sac State students, faculty, and the public to the Lodi Airport on a skydiving trip.

The dive itself is a tandem jump with a veteran skydiver attached to the jumper from 13,000 feet above Highway 99, where Lodi Airport’s Parachute Center is located.

Madison Shepard, senior business major and employee at Peak Adventures, said she has led skydiving trips in the past. She said that before diving out of the plane, participating jumpers start off by relaxing in the hangar.

“You get to see the regular jumpers practicing (and) doing tricks. It’s a calm, relaxed feeling. People are sitting around, making sandwiches by hand to eat. It’s a cool atmosphere,” Shepard said.

After jumping from the plane, the skydiver goes into a free fall for about a minute followed by a gentle floating to a ground.

“The free falling is an intense rush; a feeling you just can’t simulate on the ground,” Shepard said. “The second half is calming. The chute opens, and it’s a great view. You can see the Bay Area (and) the Sierra. Because it’s tandem, your partner points stuff out (and) you get a geography lesson. My partner let me grab the handles (and) do some turns on my own. It was really neat.”

During the fall, a separate jumper falls alongside the skydiver. Attached to his helmet is a camera, taking video and pictures, giving jumpers something to remember their jump.

“He’s in your face, although he peels off after you open the chute,” Shepard said. “Once you land, you are shaking with energy. It’s something you want to share.”

The trip is aimed at students and faculty, but the general public is also invited to join in the fun.

Shepard said the skydiving trip has proven to be a success with students in previous semesters.

“It’s our most popular trip,” she said. “There’s usually a wait list. We have two 12-passenger vans and they are usually full.”

Alicia Taylor, Peak Adventures programs specialist, said the reason why the skydiving excursion draws students in is simple.”It’s exciting, jumping out of a plane,” Taylor said. “It’s on a lot of people’s list to do.”

Shepard said that people who sign up for the trip are mostly first-time skydivers.

“A lot of people on the trips are beginners. You come to college and want to experience something you haven’t before,” Shepard said.

Allen Kendricks, freshman criminal justice major, said he would like to go on the skydiving trip so he could experience the thrill of jumping out of a plane.

“I’d go. I’ve never done it before,” Kendricks said. “People say it’s fun, so I’d like to go.”

Ian Anderson, freshman international relations and Spanish major, on the other hand, said he is not interested in trying death-defying feats.

“I don’t think I’d go,” Anderson said. “I’m not an adrenaline junkie. It’s not for me.”

Shepard suggests that anyone looking to make friends, especially new students, should go on the outing.

“It’s something that automatically makes you friends, something you are sharing with (other people on the trip),” Shepard said. “It’s a bonding experience.”

Cole Mayer can be reached at [email protected]