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🔊 Listen ⏹ Stop

Since the beginning of Merrell, our message has been about encouraging people to enjoy time in the great outdoors. There is no argument around the fact that nature has a positive impact on both our mental and physical health.

Today, however, we bring to you something a bit more epic. We’re not talking about the regular trail runs or mountain hikes. We bring to you an adventure that takes outdoor excursions to a whole new level: skydiving.

While not a new activity, it is definitely a more thrilling and different way to experience the great outdoors! Imagine those breathtaking views from the sky, as you experience the exhilaration of falling from that height and speed.

In today’s blog, we chat to skydiving expert Gerrit van Zyl, who will tell us a little more about skydiving and why this epic adventure is worth a try, as well as Zoë Marais, the winner of our skydiving competition!

Introducing Gerrit van Zyl - Owner of Skydive Jeffreys Bay

Gerrit started his skydiving journey at the age of 21.

“I experienced skydiving at a young age, through my father, who was also a skydiver, when he was in the military here in South Africa. The idea of jumping out of planes fascinated me, and I knew this was something I wanted to do.”

Today, he is 42 years old, and still has an incredible passion for this extreme outdoor sport. As the owner of Skydive Jeffreys Bay, he has been a part of countless skydiving journeys. From introducing beginners to this sport to enjoying jumps with experienced divers, Gerrit’s passion for this activity has only continued to grow!

“I did an AFF course in Pretoria, where I was taken up to about 10 or 11 thousand feet. Two instructors jumped with me to do my first accelerated freefall, and the jump went really well. In that moment, I knew I was hooked! I completed the course and kept progressing from there.”

When asked about what advice he had to offer those who haven’t skydived before, here’s what he had to say:

“Come here with an open mind. Arrive with the expectation of having fun, because your mental state plays an important role in your overall experience. As instructors, we do our best to make you feel comfortable. This entails walking you through the whole process and answering any questions. We ensure that all the safety precautions have been taken and that you are 100% safe. So, before you arrive, take the time to get into the right mindset, because after all, it is all about letting loose and having fun.”

Gerrit believes that skydiving is an adventure that everyone should try, as it gets the adrenaline pumping, giving you the chance to experience the unmatched thrill of jumping out of a plane.

“Free-falling at 200 km/h is an experience like no other. From the adrenaline rush to the feeling of absolute freedom – it’s something everyone should experience at least once in their life!”

His passion for the sport is likely why this collaboration was such a success – we gave one lucky winner the chance to experience it all for the first time!

Introducing Zoë Marais - Our First Time Skydiver

“I just kept telling myself: Calm down, calm down. Next thing I know, I was pressing my head down, and then we just flew.”

Our brave winner of the Merrell Skydive competition arrived amped and ready to soar through the skies at Skydive Jeffreys Bay.

Zoë couldn’t believe her luck when one day, she received a message from our team, informing her that she had won our skydiving competition. As someone who enjoys spending time outdoors and experiencing new things, she knew that she was in for an adventure!

We spent months planning the perfect day to capture it all, and suddenly the time had come!

“We were in the air, and I was nervous, but it was very beautiful. The views, the little towns, we even flew over Hermanus. It was very pretty.”

Zoë sat in that helicopter, anticipating when it would be go-time, and suddenly they had reached 11,000 feet.

“When we were above the clouds, and I couldn’t see anything, the nerves kicked in. At this point, everyone started doing the final safety checks. We checked everything again and went through the procedures one last time. Then I said to myself, okay, it's really going to happen. This is the end of the waiting.”

For her first skydiving experience, Zoë was attached to an instructor via a special harness. This form of skydiving is called tandem skydiving, and it allows a certified instructor to be in control of the whole experience to ensure safety. The instructor is tasked with taking care of the technical aspects, such as the jump, deploying the parachute and navigating the landing.

“Then he said: Okay, banana. That means you have to turn your feet out of the plane, bend your back, and put your head back, and then we’re just going to fall. Phew! I was pressing my head down, and then we just flew. When falling, the wind that hits you is quite strong, I must say. It almost takes your breath away, and then your ears close up too.”

“That first part happens so fast! You almost don’t remember it, but once the parachute opens and you’re just gliding there – that’s amazing. I would definitely recommend it to someone to do.”

Experience The Great Outdoors in Epic Ways

All things considered, we think that this epic adventure was an EPIC success!

Giving someone the chance to experience the great outdoors in such an exhilarating way was exactly what we set out to do. At Merrell, we’re all about encouraging everyone to explore nature – whether it’s calming, peaceful, exciting, or downright thrilling. And with the right pair of Merrells, you can take on any adventure.

“I think Merrell's philosophy of spending time in the great outdoors perfectly sums up what we try to do here at Skydiving Jeffreys Bay. I mean, what could be greater than soaring through the great big blue sky!? This sport is truly an adventure, and one that we believe everyone should experience.” ~ Gerrit

What thrilling outdoor adventure should we feature next? Let us know in the comments or tag us in your thrilling moments in Merrells!