36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 17-23, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com FACE TO FACE What does one do with a degree in nutrition from San Jose State? Make a living jumping out of airplanes, of course. How that career path played out for Jackie Foust, owner and director of operations at Skydive Monterey Bay, is a matter of timing. The Salinas High School graduate was already an experienced skydiver when the old Fort Ord airfield was turned over to Marina. In 1996, the skydiving center opened. “I turned it into a career,” Foust says. “I’m getting the opportunity to live a passion.” In her 30 years as a skydiver and instructor, she has completed more than 18,000 jumps. Her husband Shawn, a former Air Force officer, has 7,000 under his belt—a number Foust dismisses in jest—“a weekend warrior.” Skydive Monterey Bay is a unique operation in several ways. There are the coveted aerial views, weather conditions that allow jumps almost year-round (important, because even seasoned skydivers get a bit rusty after a winter layoff unless they maintain a safety focus) and the staggering height involved. Foust and her team take skydivers—even first-timers—to 18,000 feet, well above the 10,000- to 14,000foot norm. This allows for a free fall of almost 90 seconds before the chute opens. It was her father who introduced Foust to jumping, while she was in high school. After that, she says, “I started skydiving more and more. It’s one of those things where I never looked back.” Weekly: Are you crazy? Foust: Parachutes want to open. One in 3,000 jumps we cut away and go to the reserve. But we expect it every jump. We’re well rehearsed. It’s no big deal. No big deal? That’s because we have to expect it. I did 4,000 jumps before I had a cutaway. It happens. In a way I was happy when it happened. Finally! You’re not well centered if you don’t think of those what ifs. Are there ways to prevent it [catastrophe]? Absolutely. You have reactions and you anticipate those reactions. We have reserve chutes and backup devices. We train you on everything you need to do. Tandem is the safest way to try skydiving for the first time. We don’t skimp on best practices. What is it like for first-timers? The first-time people go through a major self-check. A lot of times they have a wide-eyed look when the door opens—that moment of truth, bewilderment and amazement. We were there once, too. You never forget the first jump. We get people who say they are afraid of heights, but you feel more like you’re floating. It’s really special. Once you get through it, the world is so beautiful. It is so powerful. Free fall sounds terrifying. Free fall is all adrenaline. That part you can’t explain. At 5,000 feet the chute opens. That’s when you can take in some scenery. Nobody wants to come down. They want to stay up there, it’s so freeing. It will take your mind off anything—coasting up there, taking in the scenery. I do believe you can solve all things troubling you with what you learn about yourself up there. We turn a lot of people into skydiving students. After 18,000 jumps, does it become a bit predictable? There is a routine. But so many factors change—the environment, the people on the plane are different every time. You are looking out for people, so we always have a challenge. There’s something different every day. I’m happiest in an airplane. So when you’re not in the air? Oh, man. I tend to want to do things outdoors. A lot of studying—aviation and yoga. Sometimes in free fall I do yoga poses. We dress up in mascot costumes. I love to do stuff like that. Have you jumped into stadiums? I have jumped into stadiums—high school, not professional. The pressure is on. You have everybody watching you. You have to focus—aim small, miss small. We try to put on a show. They’re fun, especially when they’re over. Why keep doing it? You have the community of skydivers. We come from different walks of life, but we have this in common. Maybe they are a cancer survivor, maybe they just want to do it. There is no reason too small or too big. Skydive Monterey Bay is at Marina Municipal Airport, 721 Neeson Road, Marina. 384-3483, skydivemontereybay.com. Air Born For skydiving instructor Jackie Foust, jumping from a plane starts a new life. By Dave Faries Jackie Foust with some of her skydiving gear. The veteran instructor says that even after 18,000 jumps, it is impossible to be bored—either free falling or drifting under a canopy. DANIEL DREIFUSS Call today to get your message into this annual glossy magazine celebrating our delicious county. FOOD AND DRINK IN MONTEREY COUNTY THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® Eat+Drink Published by Best of Monterey Bay® Eat+Drink 2024-2025 | FREE cover_E+D_24.indd 1 4/19/24 11:49 AM ADVERTISING DEADLINE: April 21 PUBLICATION DATE: May 8 FOR MORE INFO: 831-394-5656 sales@montereycountynow.com
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