The first time I came to TSNY to try the flying trapeze was for the fun and experience of it. Having been a rock climber for seven years prior to flying, I never had that nervousness about being high up off the ground.
However, the first time I landed in the net, I had such an adrenaline rush that I almost could not stand. I was hooked. My wife, Lenora, and I started flying regularly, and we were given the opportunity to participate in the first intermediate certification class at TSNY. This brought a whole new set of challenges and a deeper appreciation for the aerial arts. Having already been circus fans, we started watching shows like Cirque du Soleil with a more informed eye and a deeper understanding of the difficulty of the performances the professional flyers make look so easy.
Last month the Cirque show, La Nouba, aired on TV for the first time. The trapeze act was spectacular. I replayed it several times, and then I stopped, stunned. I realized that not only did I recognize every trick in the act by name, but I had been seeing almost all of them performed by students at TSNY on a weekly basis. Admittedly, the professional flyers in La Nouba performed them with a level of excellence and flair that takes years of experience to achieve, but I was amazed to realize that the tricks we learn at TSNY are performed regularly by professional flyers. It made me realize how much is possible in flying, and in life in general, if you are will to take a chance and try something new.
