Most of you know already about the World Domination Summit. If you don’t, you can find out a lot about it here.
Here’s the one sentence synopsis of the event – “In June 2011, a small army of remarkable people will converge on Portland, Oregon for a weekend of strategizing and adventure.” The World Domination Summit [WDS] is a conference being organized by Chris Guillebeau, so like most things he does, it should be nothing short of amazing [no pressure, Chris].
I’m sure the actual conference will be lots of fun [it’s already been sold out 5 months in advance], and filled with lots of great speakers and interesting information. However, what I’m really excited about is hanging out with interesting people like Sean, Steve, Alan, Mark, Nina, Dusti, Matt, Mark, Chris, Nate, Matt, Adam, Dave, Jenny, Tyler, Tammy, JD and lots, lots more.
The cool thing about getting a group of adventure-centric people in one place is the opportunity to do a lot of adventurous things together. After talking with a few of them, I decided that I’ll be checking yet another thing off the impossible list and jumping out of an airplane [hopefully with parachute attached] while I’m out in Portland for WDS.
Jumping from heights is a scary ordeal, parachute or not, and one I’ve never done it before so I’ll be bringing some friends along with me in order to hopefully relieve the nerves. I’ve mentioned skydiving as a group to several people and I have gotten really great feedback from them, so I figured I’d open it out there for you guys.
Want to come skydiving with me in Portland at WDS?
Yes, I am announcing this almost 4 months out from the conference, but organizing a large number of people to stare death in the face tends to take some planning and I’m planning on being prepared.
So how about it? Are you going to the World Domination Summit this year? Are you just gonna to happen to be in Portland in early June? Do you feel like jumping out of an airplane with me and a bunch of other awesome people? If you’re even slightly interested in what’s going down, just click the link below to find out more information
>> Sign up here for more info on jumping out of a plane with me and lots of other awesome people.
Don’t worry, the form is not a final commitment and you don’t have to put down money yet, but I am trying to gauge initial interest so I know how much I’ll have to plan for and what dates may or may not work for people. This is one of the sure-to-be-many “unofficial” adventure activities going on at WDS, so I wanted to get a jump start on planning & numbers. No matter what those numbers do end up being, what I do know is this – there will be a small group of us that are going one way or another – even if no one else decides to come along for the ride.
If skydiving is on your list of impossible things and you’ll be in Portland in early June, there’s will not be a better time to cross it off your list [or a better group to cross it off with]. You don’t want to miss out.
>> Seriously, you should come jump out of a plane, it’ll be fun.
Not going to Portland in June? Don’t worry, while it won’t be as fun as being there, you can bet I’ll be writing about it here at BIT and you can still help make it an awesome experience even if you don’t go!
Here’s what you can do:
- Tell your people on twitter about this event [be sure to use the hashtag #WDS]
- Share this with your Portland friends on Facebook.
- Tell someone offline about this and have them email me
The more people there, the merrier – so pass this along and lets see if we can get a massive group together to jump out of a plane together in Portland!
>> Last chance! Wanna jump out of a plane with a bunch of crazy people in Portland? Click here.
[Photo Credit]
Good work organizing! Looking forward to it.
Maybe you can do the squats before we jump!
I’m in for sure, dude. Can’t wait!
Yes! 🙂
Not going to WDS unfortunately, however, I have gone skydiving before and can tell you only that you will f’n love it.
I always joked with friends before that I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, just for fun, but the reality of it is, you are in a small plane, with no seats, just a bench, and going very slow, (realistically) very low in the sky. With that said, you WANT to jump out of the plane because you feel that at any second the plane might just fall from the sky.
Now, the only thing that I regret with my skydiving adventure was that I did not pay extra for the photographer. At the time, I was still in my early-mid 20s and did not have a ton of money, so the extra $80 for the photographer was probably better spent on my mortgage than on a photographer.
Have fun, Kill it. Take photos/video of the carnage. Make it EPIC.
There will be all sorts of documentation – don’t you worry. Epic-ness guaranteed.
Although I won’t be in Portland, can I share in a “virtual” skydive with you? I’m taking my wife this year in what’ll most likely be May.
Score! 🙂
Video tape your jump & we’ll video tape ours. Then we’ll sync it up when we get on the ground. Sound good? 🙂
It’s a plan man!
Done!
Hey man – I’m definitely in! I remember seeing this on the schedule when I first registered in October, but for whatever reason, I can’t seem to locate it on the #WDS site. Anyway, I’m so there. This will be my third jump – holler!
See you soon…
Hmm…don’t remember seeing that last time. Just decided the last few weeks to do it! Hoping to see you there!
Really? That is so bizarre! I know I read it somewhere on #WDS, but it’s not there now. I’m definitely jumping, no doubt about it. 🙂
Me & Chris are actually just coordinating that to confuse the heck out of you 🙂
I’d love to do this! Unfortunately we would need to convince my wife, and that may prove to truly be an Impossible Thing.
“The word impossible is not in my dictionary.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
I think I will stay on the ground and visualize myself flying through the air, thank you very much. 🙂 But if we’re living in the OR/WA area by then, we would very much be interested in any adventure that doesn’t involve me having a panic attack.
Panic attack inducing adventures are the best ones! I’ll let you think about it for a bit – deal?
This is so badass Joel. Can’t wait to hang out in Portland. Not too far away now!
I can’t wait Nate 🙂 It’s going to be awesome.
love the initiative joel! thanks for organizing. whether i’m in the plane or not at final count, excited to connect with ya and all the other awesomists @ the WDS!
Hey Nathan! You should definitely come – it will be a lot of fun. Really freakin’ scary, but a lot of fun :). Either way, I’ll be sure to see you at WDS!
I believe our friend Tyler is doing the same thing – omitting last name ’cause his project may be hush-hush 🙂
Anyway, I told Tyler I’m way interested so I thought I’d pass that along to you too. Let me know how the planning goes.
I’ll probably get into PDX a few days early. When are we thinking of plummeting to earth hoping our parachutes open?! 🙂
Matt
I’ve already talked with Tyler. He has a different (yet equally exciting) project on the way. We’re trying to coordinate them at different times, so we don’t conflict :). Why choose when you can do both!
I am a big fan of your blog and it is exciting that you are coming to the Northwest in June. I have never heard of the WDS until this blog and I live in Portland. While I do not foresee skydiving on my horizon. I would love to go on a hike with you, the Multnomah Falls are beautiful (there are several other falls in the Columbia Gorge)…we can invite Dusti (she is a character) 🙂
There’s going to be a lot of “unofficial” WDS events going on in June. You’re more than welcome to come along! 🙂
Great let me know about any “unofficial” WDS events!
Will do – be sure to watch the #wds hashtag on twitter
That sounds bad ass…great work getting every one together. Remember to record! Have a great day. Best regards.
It will be Jonathan! You’re invited if you can make it!
You know I’m SO there! Keep me posted on any help you might need from over this way.
I will keep you posted (and maybe call you in for some Portland organizing expertise!)
Cool. Will this be a formation jump then? 😉 Unfortunately won’t be in town for the summit, but this is sure to be an awesome experience. Changes the way you look at things.
You should fly in just for the jump Lach (just think about it, ok?) :). It’s gonna be awesome.
Just try to keep your mouth closed and don’t look down.
What happens if I leave it open? Also, where else am I supposed to look? 🙂
I kept my mouth open for most of my first (and only, thus far) skydive. I say do it. You get the funniest photos/video. Let’s just say your skin can stretch more than you can imagine. 🙂
BTW, I’m considering this, but I don’t want to commit to something I’ve already done when I might have a chance to do something I haven’t. KnowwhatI’msayin?
Either way, see you in Portland!
Definitely Karol. How bout this? Get on the list here and I’ll get you more info when I have it. I’m not looking for formal commitments or money yet, just need an idea of how many people will be coming (so you can back out before fully committing, if you need to). Got a good number so far — it’s gonna be fun :).
Joel,
Love this idea. I won’t be available in June or else I’d love to go on another skydive! Any chance you’d be organizing more fabulous adventures such as this one? Would be great to meet everyone while crossing things off our bucket list.
Stella
We will see! I’m getting a great response. The main thing is finding places where people are gathered since everyone is all over the country :). Stay tuned & I’ll keep you posted!
If there is one thing that scares the you know what out of me it is jumping out of a plane. I’d have to work up to it by bungie jumping or something. Best of luck to anyone with the cojones to do it though.
If it helps, I’ll volunteer to push you out 🙂
I’m going. And I’m local, so if you need some tracking down, you let me know.
Also, I will be the one screaming and then whooping.
and then hopefully not going squish.
I will probably be screaming right there along with you – and also hopefully not going squish.
I’m jumping out of a plane, bitches! Let’s do it!!!!
Woot Woot!
Skydiving is amazing. I’ve been an active skydiver for a little over a year now. Let me just say that every jump is (and should be) scary and is a great reminder on why life is so worth living. Plus, each jump teaches one how to push through fears instead of just being a paralyzed victim of them.
Good luck, have fun, and most of all… BLUE SKIES!
I’m looking forward to it! Should be a blast!