Classroom Costa Rica

Ever since I was a little boy I’ve wanted one super power. Out of every choice I wanted to fly. It just looked so cool. Well, now I know that it is. I had this experience when I went to the Selvatura Park Canopy Tour in Santa Elena, Costa Rica.

When I was getting all suited up in my harness and helmet, I was just thinking how fun it would be, then I thought, what if the cable snapped? I thought to myself that the zip line could not be in business if it wasn’t safe and that the teachers would never take us anywhere where we could get hurt. Then we learned the signs that I would receive throughout the course.

When I got up to the first platform I was completely spaced out. As the guide hooked me up to this wire I realized that this would be the closest experience to flying in all of my life. With a great smile I flew off the platform, not to fall but to glide through the air. I realized that this was the first time I would do this out of 15. I put on the brakes by pressing firmly on the top of the cable with the gloves (any type of friction on the line makes you stop). Right after I landed on the platform I was already in the air again, but going even faster. I hardly noticed that I had touched this platform way up in a tree and that I was switched to another cable leading to another platform. I was going really fast and nearing the end. The guide was looking right at me and not telling me to slow down or stop, so I didn’t. I was about to hit a tree when suddenly I was stopped by a special brake opperated by the guide. This time I was able to stand on the platform and watch about seven people come in and join me. It was so fun to see everyone’s facial expressions as they were stopped.

As I looked out on where I would go to next, I just saw sky and a line of cable. This track goes on for 650 meters (.4 miles) and you’re soaring about 100 feet over a 125 foot canopy. Now I would really get to fly! All I wanted was to stop in the middle of the track and just sit over the canopy. When I was flung off I just sort of hung there looking around me. It was so amazing. “It was awesome and went on forever.” (Liz) This was the most fun zip line in the whole course.

By the time I reached the other side I was again quickly brought from one side to another only to sail off again. I had not even been able to say how cool it was when I was back in the air. After two more cables, they sent you up this path that led to the Tarzan Swing.

As I reached the point where you could really see it, I looked up to the top only to see Audrey just looking out and then down in Awe. The tower that she was on was about 55 feet high and was very sturdy looking (I didn’t doubt the safety of anything). I yelled as many others who were there did. Audrey smiled and then looked like she was pushed from behind. Her stomach thrusted out and then she was falling and screaming. I soon realized that after asking if you’re ready, the guide opens up this gate and then pushes you really quickly. I watched a couple others go, but finally it was my turn. I was all ready. I knew that the guide would push me, so I jumped right as that gate opened. I started to fall thinking I would just hit the ground, but at the last second I swung out and up really smoothly. When I reached the peak I was in such amazement, just looking all around me realizing I can’t find any of this in Vermont. As I started to come back, I was so happy to be here, then the guides hit my feet to slow me down. I swung back and fourth a couple more times in such peace. Then I was done. I watched the rest of the class go. Some screamed the whole way, some had their eyes shut, some had their eyes wide open with a huge grin, and there were even nods of heads saying Ohh Myy GOD.

The Selvatura Park Canopy Tour was my favorite part of the whole trip and I realized that the zip line is not about the Cloud Forest at all–it’s about having fun and I did just that.
-Jackson

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