Kirk Gilbertson:
CLASS OF 1987
Benson Polytechnic High SchoolClass of 1987
Portland, OR
Kirk's Story
I took a U of O student skydiving and she did an I took a U of O student skydiving and she did an interview with me afterwards. Here is a copy of it
Small Town Hero: Big Time Air
by Kristen Mohror ¿ last modified 09:57 AM Tue Jun 03, 2008
In a small town near Portland is a business many people have heard of but few can actually say they¿ve accomplished.
Thirty-eight year-old skydiving instructor Kirk Gilbertson is our biggest dreamer yet. Gilbertson's passion for skydiving began after watching the movie "Point Break" and it exploded on his 30th birthday during his first tandem jump into the blue abyss. Kirk has been diving for eight years now and can¿t seem to get enough air.
"Are you ready to skydive?" Gilbertson screams into the chilled morning air. After a nervous "yes!" the students were ready to go. As the last two jumpers from the plane, Gilbertson is very careful to get everything right.
"There's not a lot of room for error up there."
With a broad grin and a confident step, Gilbertson walked into the small, bright training room at Skydive Oregon to introduce himself to two very nervous students. He sat down and gave a reassuring smile and then quickly demonstrated the correct body position for the upcoming jump while sprawling out over a small stool. Arms stretching toward the ceiling with his wrists sticking out at 90 degree angles, legs pulled up awkwardly behind him and a grin that sent the aura of insanity throughout the room, Gilbertson quickly explained to them how to skydive correctly and then asked his students to demonstrate his exact position on the stool, because in 30 minutes, they¿ll be jumping.
"I have the greatest job in the world", Gilbertson whispered with a smile.
For Gilbertson, skydiving is a great way to keep life interesting. Although he¿s got more than 2000 jumps under his belt, each jump is a new experience for him.
"People jump for different reasons," Gilbertson explained. "I can really see people come to life right before a jump". Gilbertson enjoys taking people for their first experience.
"Watching people light up gives me goose bumps. Whether they¿re crossing the sport off of their bucket list or putting an exclamation point in their lives, these are the things that make my job the greatest job in the world."
Eight years ago, Gilbertson¿s parents weren¿t too excited about their son jumping out of planes at over 13,000 feet above the ground. During his first year of skydiving, his mother requested a phone call every time he landed to make sure he was safe.
Gilbertson's dad is very proud and isn¿t afraid to show it. Introducing his son at social events has become second nature to him. It's the first thing my dad tells people when he's introducing me to someone: "This is my son. He skydives!"
Although his dad is exciting about diving, Gilbertson would really love to show his mother the view from above. "I would take my mom if she'd agree. I would love to share that experience with my family."
Every once in a while, Gilbertson is pounded with questions from his students after a jump. One of the most interesting questions for the students is the easiest question for Gilbertson to answer: why skydiving?
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"You just get that call of what you really love and you know you want to do it."
While freefalling at 120 miles per hour through the cool, crisp Oregon air, all Gilbertson can think about is how lucky he is to have such a cool job.
Another question Gilbertson is often asked challenges his bravery.
The fear factor doesn¿t usually apply to Gilbertson. ¿Absolutely not,¿ he says with a stern look. He then broke the ice and jokingly admitted to getting an occasional twinge and explained while snapping his fingers, ¿It¿s gone like that.¿
¿For about the first 25 jumps I was scared, but now I know it¿s just gonna be good. I wish to God everyone could see the view I¿m seeing right now. This is beautiful. This is just so cool.¿
Although the last eight years of Gilbertson¿s life has been consumed by skydiving over Oregon, he would enjoy seeing the spectacular birds-eye view of Hawaii. But there¿s more to it for him than that.
"Air is air wherever you're at. The people you¿re with and the atmosphere you create is the best part about skydiving."
Because of the vivacious instructors, incredible students and intense adrenaline rush associated with skydiving, Gilbertson believes that the sport has a great effect on people.
"Ninety percent of skydiving is a mental thing", Kirk says. "Once you learn that, it can be applied to different places in your life. Your focus makes your reality."
While skydiving, Kirk has experienced the weather at its best and its worst. Gilbertson described his worst jumping experience while laughing, "It was the weirdest day I've ever seen." On the ground that day it was about 110 degrees Fahrenheit, but high overcast clouds were in the sky. "Rain really hurts at 120 miles per hour", Kirk said laughing. He continued with an obvious, but serious statement of fact: "But once you¿re out, you¿re out.".¿
One year before his first tandem jump as a student, Kirk tried bungee jumping to cure his fear of heights. Still unsure about what it was that scared him so much, Gilbertson laughs about his experience.
"It's a good way to break your fear of heights," Gilbertson said. It's obvious where his true passion lies. When talking about why he prefers skydiving to bungee jumping, Kirk gave a quick smile and said, "It just feels good."
During Kirk's first tandem skydive as a student, he had to close his eyes when he jumped out of the plane.
"Love it or hate it, I'm going to close my eyes and it will be started", Kirk remembered thinking right before the jump. But he quickly stated afterwards, "As soon as I left the plane, it was bliss."
Kirk was hooked from the moment he jumped out.
"When I'm up there," his eyes toward the sky, "I see beauty you can't get anywhere else."
So if you're looking for Kirk Gilbertson, your best bet would be to look up. He¿s usually doing barrel rolls and swan dives out of small planes above Oregon.
If you can't see him from the ground, he may be preparing a nervous student for their first jump. In that case, you can probably find them both sliding into the blue jumpsuits while Gilbertson checks the parachute that will ultimately decide their fates.
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