Age : 30

Jumps : 1,500

Occupation : Parachute Rigger, Freefall Videographer

Education : B.M. in Performance, New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, 1999.

M.M. in Orchestral Studies, Chicago College of the Performing Arts, 2002.

Sign : Scorpio

Favorite Composer : Gustav Mahler

Sarah was always an adventurous child, and was known as the family daredevil. When her interests turned to classical music in high school and college, she also developed a taste for competition and a strong drive for perfection. However, after a few years as a professional musician, she found the cutthroat and regimented world to be unfulfilling and stressful, and began searching for something more rewarding in her life. In 2001 she discovered skydiving, and she recalls it saying, “it sounds cheesy but it’s true; that first jump changed my outlook on life. Suddenly the little things I would worry about on a daily basis seemed pretty insignificant. I even enjoyed performing more because, having survived jumping out of a plane, I knew there was nothing to worry about on stage! Even though I had been on the planet for 24 years, I felt like I had just started to live.” She graduated Skydive Chicago’s Advanced Freefall Program in late 2001, and soon traded the world of professional classical music for the freedom she found in the skies.

Like playing in an orchestra, four-way attracts Sarah because it combines high levels of artistic finesse and technical discipline, and she loves to achieve great things as a part of a team. About flying the Point position on the Furies, she says “it’s challenging because I fly backward and sideways more than anything, but if I fly my slot well, I can always rely on my girls to be right there behind me. It is the ultimate combination of fulfilling your own responsibility while having complete faith in your teammates. There’s nothing cooler than teamwork that really clicks!”

 

Working as an FAA-certified Parachute Rigger since 2003, Sarah spends her days repairing and maintaining, parachute systems for friends and colleagues. “Being a rigger at a busy drop zone is a big job, but it gives me a lot of satisfaction to help my customers understand their gear. There is so much to think about on a skydive, you shouldn’t have to worry if your equipment will perform correctly.” When not training with the Furies or honing her skills as a d videographer, Sarah enjoys traveling, chasing the sun, hiking, writing, and spending time with her crazy family.

Skydiving Philosophy : Be prepared enough that you trust yourself. Fear is useless.

Life Philosophy : Work hard, live big, and do everything with love.