A glass of sherry? I turned 80 with 80 skydives ... in a day!
PAT and Alicia Moorehead, 87 and 72, live in Los Angeles and hold multiple skydiving world records. Between them, they have made almost 10,000 jumps.
PAT SAYS:
I DECIDED to give skydiving a go when I was 37 years old. I made two jumps on my first day and I’ve been doing it ever since.
When I turned 80, I decided to try to make 80 jumps in one day. I was able to do it in six hours and broke a world record — I did one jump every four minutes and 30 seconds.
It’s not all about the actual skydive, though, it’s about what you can do with the sport: planning, then making the jump and then talking about it are all major draws.
Had somebody told me at 37 that I’d still be jumping aged 87, I’d have said they were joking. For a start, I wouldn’t have thought anyone could live to be that old! Now, 60 is the new 30.
Ageing well is all about attitude. When we bought our house, I remember looking at the stairs and thinking: ‘Will I want to be walking up and down those stairs in my 80s?’ The answer turned out to be yes. I don’t even use the banister, because then you aren’t using your balance.
I also have an exercise bench and free weights and do sit-ups and stretches and whatever it takes to develop the stamina and strength to keep jumping.
I’m a great believer in the idea that if you put out good, for the most part, it will come back to you.
You have to be kind to everyone you meet — but also kind to yourself.
My life motto is that there is no past, there is no future, so the best time is now.
ALICIA SAYS:
I STARTED skydiving at the ripe old age of 30. I was a gymnast all through school, and flying through the air sounded wonderful.
I took my first class and, in a week, I’d done seven jumps. I just loved it.
I’m also a skier, and I’ve taken some big tumbles in the snow. After I had jumped a few times, I realised I could tumble in the air and not get hurt.
Jumping in different places around the world is fun — I explore new countries the same way most people explore new shops. I don’t need a base. My house is just where I pack, a holding pen.
I met Pat through skydiving, but I was totally happy being single. Pat and I don’t argue — to be honest, there’s nothing to argue about. We’re both fit and healthy, and I’ve got tonnes of my own interests.
For my 70th birthday, we went to jump in Utah for three days. I love deserts. Wide, open spaces like that are just alluring to me. cactus bloom in the spring is unlike any other — the brightest pinks and purples and yellows that you could ever want to see.
My life motto is: stay involved, stay curious. There is so much to see in the world.