Falling from 13,000 feet at around 120 mph can be a nightmare for some, and an adrenaline rush for others. Skydance Skydiving in Davis makes it a reality for 25,000 to 30,000 people per year.

Every year there are 3,000 to 4,000 first-time skydivers at Skydance. Of those first time jumpers, only one or two do not make the jump said Neal Wathen, the Skydance chief instructor and manager.

“It seriously makes you speechless,” said Mary Ann Ratuita, a senior dietetics major. “The only thing I regret is not recording it.”

After making his first jump, Sacramento State alumnus Ivan Castillo said he wanted to jump for the experience and the adrenaline of sustained free-fall. Castillo said his excitement held through the signing of the waivers; but when the moment came to put on his gear, he began to feel anxious.

“I would definitely tell people that want to do it for the first time to just enjoy the moment and not to be scared of anything,” Castillo said.

Sravanthi Sreepathi, a Sacramento resident, said she loved her first jump.

“(It was) awesome. Amazing. I still can’t stop smiling,” Sreepathi said.

Sreepathi opted to do the higher 18,000-foot jump because the friend she went with already accomplished the 13,000 foot jump.

“She wanted to do the 18,000. Well, I had no choice,” Sreepathi said.

Sreepathi said she would do it again at that moment and in the future.

Peak Adventures offers Sac State students a 13,000-foot jump with 60 seconds of freefall for $180. Faculty, staff and paid members of the alumni association can also take advantage of the offer, but it will cost them $203. The general public price through Peak Adventures is $225. Peak Adventures will provide transportation.

The next available trips are on Oct. 6 and Oct. 21. and will have a special discounted price for the first 20 people who register said Alicia Taylor program specialist for Peak Adventures. The discounted prices will be $128 for students; $144 for faculty, staff and paid members of the alumni association; or $160 for the general public.

There are currently 10 spots open for the Oct. 6 trip and 11 for the Oct. 21 trip. If the trips do not acquire a minimum of five participants, they will be cancelled.

“Additional spots can be made available if necessary,” said Taylor.

Made directly with Skydance will cost $199. This price offers everything Peak Adventures does with the exception of transportation. The price and extras vary depending on the altitude of the jump. Every jumper has the option of capturing their experience at Skydance with an edited DVD and photos for $129.

For those who aren’t ready for the real thing, Ifly in Union City, CA., simulates the experience of skydiving without any of the danger.

The chamber consists of a giant fan with a mesh net over it pulled tight enough to support patrons various weights. A flyer would get a similar experience to a skydiver free falling at 120 to 150 plus mph and most flying will be done only a few feet above the net, according to the Ifly website.

However, a majority of the people who have done the real jump say that they would do it again if they get the chance to.

Miguel Lopez can be reached at [email protected]

Sean Chin can be reached at [email protected]