Adrenaline Junkies

For all of those out there that love extreme sports and hitting that desired "adrenaline high", Hawaii has just the thing for you. Skydive Hawaii offers a variety of jumps from 12,000 ft. out of a passenger plane for just $125 for students! Skydiving in Hawaii is unlike any experience you can get anywhere else. It is the most exhilarating experience you can manage without killing yourself. I loved my first experience so much that I had no choice but to go again! My first experience consisted of non-stop butterflies, blood curdling screams, and fear of the unknown. The feeling of watching your friend jump out of an airplane right before you is literally indescribable. Words cannot truly express the different emotions that the human body experiences after witnessing that and realizing that you are next to free fall 12,000 ft. to your potential death.

Each jumper is given an experienced skydiving tandem partner who is attached to them the entire fall. This tandem partner has the responsibility of packing the jumper's shoot, jumping out of the airplane, and returning safely to the ground unscathed. I fortunately got the raddest tandem partner I could ever ask for. His name was Kevin, he had a mohawk, a handle bar mustache, and my photographer had tattoos all up his arms along with the words "FREEFALL" across his knuckles. They both made me feel like a complete baddass jumping out of that airplane with them. Kevin made me feel safe and under control the entire jump. He asked me, "So Shauntel, do you want to front flip out of the airplane?" Me being the daredevil I am accepted his invitation and that is exactly what we did. As we made our ascent, I was literally trippin. I kept screaming over the loud engine roar, "I'm freaking out!" and everyone would just laugh and encourage me! Once the plane leveled out at 12,000 ft. my stomach completely sank as the plane door swung open to the open air. I was to jump second right after my beautiful friend Taylor Pendleton. She approached the gateway to death with such confidence that I began to overcome my fear, then she tucked her body and was flung out of the plane like a rock dropped from a skyscraper. Next, it was my turn. Kevin and I tucked into position, leaned forward and did 6 front flips into the open air. Then he tapped my shoulder and we both popped out with arms extended into the skydiver position! I snapped a few pics with my photographer free-falling nearby, and then after about 63 seconds of freefall, Kevin pulled the shoot and we were gliding through the air like soaring eagles over the gorgeous North Coast of the island of Oahu. It was breathtaking. MAGNIFICENT. We glided and did a few spins through the air as I saw all of my friends around me doing the same thing in the direction of our landing pad. We safely landed on the firm ground and I had the biggest smile on my face that no one could take away from me. I felt so accomplished to have jumped out of an airplane and I stood there shocked in disbelief. IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

If you ever get the urge to jump out of an airplane, or get the courage to cross off a bucket list item, then visit Oahu and go to Skydive Hawaii. You will never look back on your life and say, "Oh man, I wish I never went skydiving." NEVER. It is the most incredible feeling being completely vulnerable and free falling through the beautiful humid air, pressing up against your skin. I'm going to steal Nike's slogan on this one: JUST DO IT. 

The crew before the jump

The crew after the jump

Super Saturday Adventures

From my last post, I posted a video that consisted of what us Seasiders call Super Saturday Adventures! These fun adventures all took place on the North Shore of the island and if you aren't familiar with the area, you may be curious as to where we are and what we were doing! I am going to give a brief explanation of all of our extraordinary events in the order they appear in my video.

Hike to Sacred Falls
Jumping off the falls and swimming in the pond
Bike ride to Sunset Beach which was 9 miles away from BYU-Hawaii Campus
Hitch hiking in the back of strangers pick ups
Swimming to hike China Man's hat
Hiking China Man's hat
Playing on the beach at China Man's
Driving past Waimea Beach
On the beach in Wainae
At Sunset Beach
Ending with the our treacherous hike called Crouching Lion

All of these things are just a few of the many adventures that the island of Oahu has in store.

China Man's hat is a very peculiar little island just a mile off of shore that looks like the hat of a China Man. If you go out to the island at low tide, it is unnecessary to swim, but if you go at any other time, you may have to tread water to get there. Also, it is said that the area between shore and China Man's is Hammerhead Shark Breeding grounds. Who knows if that is true or not. When I went with this lovely group of friends, we headed back a little too late and almost got swept away in a rip tide. SCARY. Tip to any ocean goers. BE CAREFUL. The ocean is very unpredictable and can change in a matter of minutes. Research certain areas of the ocean before going to make sure you are safe. About a year ago, two marines that were hiking to China Man's drowned and died because they were unprepared. If you are not careful and do not take proper precautions, the ocean will literally sweep you up. If you are careful and go knowing what to expect, you will have a very enjoyable and memorable experience.

God's great creations. Photo Credit: Jordan Forte

Swimming out to the hat

My beautiful friend, Samantha Wright, in front of the hat.

On the top of China Man's hat with the lovely Samantha Gull

Backside of China Man's hat with my girls

As winter approaches..

Now entering the month of November in the desolate wasteland of Provo, Utah, us Utahns beginning to dread the upcoming snowfall and wish for sunshine instead. Since most of us poor college students cannot afford a plane ticket to the beautiful islands of Hawaii, I will provide a "mini" getaway right here on my blog. Missing this gorgeous place is an understatement for me. I am longing for the gorgeous Aina and I cannot wait for my visit in April.

In Hawaii there is so much to do. The adventures are endless truly. My great friend, Alta Roberts, made this incredible video of our adventures on the North Shore just a short 6 months ago. Take a look. You wont regret it. Click on the button below.