New attraction takes you to the skies without jumping off a plane

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Well, it could be you. Anyone can take to the sky at this new attraction in Brisbane’s north.

IF you have ever dreamt you could fly, you are now in luck as iFLY indoor skydiving opened its doors to all aspiring superheroes for the first time at Westfield Chermside today.

The goal of iFLY is to get people of all ages and abilities up in the air and having a great time, including those who may be unable to participate in traditional skydiving.

iFLY Australia General Manager and seasoned skydiver Nir Davidson said he was excited to bring a more accessible form of skydiving to Brisbane.

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“Basically what we do is mimic skydiving so if you’re falling out of an aeroplane at 200km/h we mimic that sensation but within a glass tube where everyone can participate,” he said.

iFLY opens at Westfield Chermside on May 1, 2019.

“Indoor skydiving is for everyone, aged three to 103, and the most magnificent thing about iFLY is that we’re able to take anyone.

“I saw the concept in the US and wanted to bring it across to Australia and to Brisbane, and here we are now about six years later.”

Hayley Volp, 16, and Noah Balfe, 13, who are regular patients at the Queensland Children’s Hospital and work on Juice TV were two of the first to try out the exciting new facility.

“We’ve been three times today, I don’t think there are any words for it, it’s everything you could think of and more,” Hayley said.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but never thought I would actually do.

“I’m glad I came, I wouldn’t change anything.”

“It’s less intimidating, and a good starting point,” said Noah.

“I was very nervous but it was absolutely amazing, I will one hundred per cent do it again.”

Hayley Volp, 16, and Noah Balfe, 13, are among the first to try out iFLY at Westfield Chermside.

Mr Davidson was a professional outdoor skydiver before turning his attention to iFLY and said the feeling was one and the same.

“It started as a hobby but I made it into my profession, I owned Melbourne Skydive Centre for a very long time and was a professional skydiver,” he said.

“I used to do demonstrations and tandem, and everything you could possibly imagine in skydiving for 12 years, and then I sold the centre to work on iFLY.

“I’ve done 6000 skydives and now I’m starting to catch up in the wind tunnel, so I’m trying to get in there everyday.

“It’s identical, but the beautiful thing is you don’t have to worry about a parachute, an aeroplane, the weather, how windy it is, and it’s accessible for everyone.”

The experienced flyer said the best part about his job was giving everyone a chance to experience a different form of fun.

Anyone can fly at Chermside’s new attraction.

“One of my favourite things to see is people who may have a disability, whether they’re in a wheelchair or are an amputee or whatever, they come in here and they go into our wind tunnel and they go flying.

“You can see the smiles on their faces, it’s just the best thing in the world, I love it.

“We have such a beautiful gift that we’re able to give.”

iFLY spent the past four years scouting Brisbane for its perfect home and Mr Davidson said their spot on Gympie Rd was ideal.

“We took our time to find the right site and we chose Westfield Chermside, not just because of its location, but because of where we fit into the centre’s new entertainment precinct,” he said.

“Southeast Queensland’s population is booming and Brisbane, in particular, continues to grow as a tourist destination.

“The demand is there for a unique entertainment attraction with widespread appeal and what could be more exhilarating than flying in the air.”

iFLY Westfield Chermside is now open to the public with bookings filling up fast. More information: www.iflyworld.com.au

Take to the air at iFLy Westfield Chermside