By Tom Mark

Skydive Festival Hits Vernon

Jun 29, 2017 | 10:35 AM

More than 120 skydivers will be in Vernon this weekend for the Great Canadian Freefall Festival that begins today.

Bret Chalmers with Okanagan Skydive says the event features a special aircraft.

“The big attraction is the airplane that we bring in, It takes 22 people at a time and it climbs to a higher altitude than we typically fly to.“

It`s called skyvan and jumpers simply just have to walk out the back.

“Well, we fall for about 9 thousand feet and depending on the orientation that we`re falling in or the position that we`re falling in can be anywhere from 45 seconds to a couple of minutes if you`re in a wing suit.“

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Chalmers says anyone is welcome to take part.

Some very experienced people will be part of the event.

“One of the big draws as well as the plane are the organizers that we bring in. So, we bring in super high level skydivers that are able to take people`s jumps to sort of another level than they`re able to do in the first place.“

Chalmers says it`s more about fun than competition.

Observer rides are being offered at a cost of 49 dollars and people will also be able to take part in tandem jumps.

Chalmers says every year they see higher registration at the event and more people are coming out on weekends in general.

He says people fall in love with the sport and culture and it brings them to a common ground.

The highlight of the weekend may be the attempt at sunset Saturday over Kin Beach for 13 jumpers to form a 150 for Canada Day.

by Tom Mark