Mar 6, 2006 9:55 am US/Mountain
Indoor Skydiving Helps Experts, Novices
by Arturo Santiago
LONE TREE, Colo. (CBS4) ―
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CBS4's Arturo Santiago goes "flying" in the wind tunnel at SkyVenture in Lone Tree
CBS4
A new ride has people in Colorado learning to fly high like a bird without jumping out of an airplane. SkyVenture Colorado lets people work on their skydiving skills without actually having to use a parachute.
SkyVenture is used by expert skydivers and people looking for their first taste of flying through the air. First time visitors get free instruction and are outfitted with a skydiving jumpsuit. Then fliers head straight for the indoor vertical wind tunnel.
"They work really well but if it's cold or snowing or whatever, they're influenced by the environment, we can run 24-7, we control the air," Norm Rosendale of SkyVenture said.
Professional skydivers, like world champion Kirk Verner, sometimes use the tunnel to train. Others are there just to have fun.
"If you can get good in the tunnel, then skydiving is pretty easy so I'm just trying to master the tunnel before I jump out of a plane," Melissa Hanks, a hopeful skydiver said.
"None of that for me, I just do it for fun, come here and hang out a little bit," Melissa Hanks said.
Flying the wind tunnel can be tough. The fan makes it feel like your face is being hit by winds of 100+ miles per hour.
Additional Resources
- SkyVenture is located in the Lone Tree Entertainment District south of the Park Meadows Mall on Yosemite.
- The cost is $48 for 2 one-minute sessions.
- For more information, visit SkyVentureColorado.com, or call (303) 768-9000.
(© MMVI CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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