The sky’s the limit in Scariff

WORLD-class skydivers will jump 4,000ft from an aircraft over the bank holiday weekend in Scariff for what is believed to be the first jump outside an airfield in Ireland.
Airspeed, a British parachute team, will perform the spectacular feat twice during the Waterways Ireland Scariff Harbour Festival, once between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on Saturday, July 30 at Ducey’s and again on Sunday, July 31 in Craven’s Field, Scariff between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
Before the parachute jumps, the plane will fly low over the landing fields, when the team will greet the spectators and then climb 4,000ft into the air from where the jumpers will free fall before their parachutes open for landing. On the ground, spectators are invited to engage with the parachutists and see the equipment up close.
Festival chairperson Mike Rodgers said this unique endeavour will be a hugely popular event, and many may be interested in a novelty event being run in tandem with the sky dive.
“The parachutists are so precise in their descent, they can actually land on a single beer mat. Whoever’s beer mat they land on will be in for a treat,” he said.
The Airspeed team comprises four experienced British parachutists. Senior jump master, David Emerson, is a qualified tandem master and accelerated free-fall instructor having completed 9,000 descents. He is  adviser for the forthcoming Batman film currently being shot in Los Angeles.
The rest of the team, Ady King, Rob Priestley and James France, are also highly qualified, having each completed between 500 and 1,500 jumps.
Meanwhile, six-time British parachute champion, Joe France, will provide the commentary on both days. Joe has represented Great Britain twice at the world championships and choreographed, coached and jumped into the opening ceremony of the 1988 Olympic Games, which involved 73 world and national champions and during which, they recreated the five Olympic rings above the South Korean city of Seoul.
Mr France said he was honoured to be invited to mastermind that event but will be anticipating Airspeed’s visit to Scariff just as keenly. “The lads have jumped all over the world but this will be the first time for them in the Republic of Ireland so they are really looking forward to it,” he said.
The jump on the Saturday afternoon of the festival will mark the launch of Ducey’s Personal Development Academy and a new wetlands tourism initiative by the lakeside.
The facility, which is the brainchild of Pádraig Giblin of Sportsworld Netting Ltd, will cater for a variety of sporting and corporate groups and clients of all ages and ability.
Ample parking will be provided at both skydiving venues but the festival wristband is required for access to the landing fields. The skydiving display is weather dependent and those interested in attending are asked to keep an eye on www.scariff.ie for up-to-date information on the festival programme or call 087 2651259 for further details.