Saluting Bryson Hayes and all those who intend to grow old disgracefully

The entire Team iFLY crew was thrilled to see the record for the oldest skydiver pass to Bryson Hayes earlier this month. Bryson completed a tandem skydive with three generations of his family at an airfield in Honiton, Devon, at age 101 and 38 days, beating the former record held by Canadian Armand Gendreau who skydived in June 2013 aged 101 and three days.

It was yet another reminder to all of us of how you should never stop setting yourself new goals in life. Never stop taking on fresh challenges.

At iFLY Manchester we were recently visited by members of the Growing Old Disgracefully group, a network for women who are determined to keep living life to the full. They come together to have fun, to share experiences and knowledge, to learn from each other, and to grow together in a safe and non-judgemental environment. Arlene Phillips was so taken with the group that she included their indoor skydiving adventure in her recent BBC documentary Holding Back the Years.

The Growing Old Disgracefully website features some celebrated motivating quotes. Here are our two favourites:

The time to begin most things is ten years ago.
— Mignon McLaughlin

Don’t be afraid your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin.
— Grace Hansen

Such simple words, but so powerful.

Sadly we have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Bryson (he’s welcome to fly with our compliments at any time) but we are sure that, just like the ladies of Growing Old Disgracefully, he is simply great fun to hang out with. 

We hope we get the chance one day. Until then, thank you and the ladies for the wonderful example you set for all of us.