Inventor Of Skydiving

Basejumper/Inventor/Pilot Calvin19 And Annibal: A Family Affair

Bill Waterson's Calvin and Hobbes comic strip was introduce to the public in 1985, a year prior Matthew "Calvin" Hecker made his debut on this planet. Now a strong argument can be made that Calvin19, as he

"Live your life for yourself and not based on popular opinion. Individuals can't be categorized, they are far too diverse to label. Be not an adventurer, daredevil, or sportsman, be an explorer of all things in life". Calvin is an explorer of life, embracing every moment of every day with every fiber of his being. He will go ten rounds with despair, he aches with desire, and he is filled with passion to swallow life whole before the universe renders him to ash.

When he isn't doing, creating or directing an adventure, he is capturing it on film. Thousands upon thousands of photographs freezing his friends and family in the moment within a moment of time- preserved to rekindle the flames of imagination. Boulder, Colorado has provided the scenery for his life, this work of art he is living and breathing. "I love this town, young open minded college women, glorious mountains in my backyard, huge towers, 2000 foot high cliffs, rivers, my family and friends", he exclaims.

This type of living in the moment is reflected in his jump philosophy as well, "everything you do can only be new to you once. My life is a series of moments. I have a soundtrack. Every time I fly I try to live up

"I live the way I do, with flight, and risk, and dreams, and reality, just so that maybe I can live up to the musical score in my head. I cannot write music, or paint landscapes, but I can fly. I can move my body with foils as my tools to make the most amazing feelings and transfer these epic visions of grandeur and adventure to whoever may be watching."

These moments of time weigh heavily on Calvin's mind. Lost time steals opportunities to scratch off goals fulfilled on his long list. Oh, yes there is a list titled "Things to Do Before I Die" and reads as such:

* 1-Break "the" record. (Classified Information)
* 2-Build a Powered Aircraft
* 3-Build a Submarine.
* 4-Sail south, far away.

A rather ambitious list of goals for anyone, then again, Calvin isn't just anyone, as proven by his list of activities: wingsuit pilot, Rope Flying and Jumping, Sewing, BASE jumping, Skiing and Ski Flying, Rigging, Sailing, Rafting, Mountaineering, Speed Flying, U.E., Photography, Travel, Aviation, Granite Surfing, Aerobatics, Paragliding, Hang Gliding, H.A.B. crewing/jumping, Kites, Editing, Cinematography, Scuba Diving, ZAGI racing, Slack Lining, and Red Shifting.

He is currently working on his degree in "Flying Stuff" at Utah Valley University via online courses, allowing him to accelerate the process. He was sail plane flying at 13, hang gliding at 16 and earned his FAA pilot's license at the age of 18. Only to end up currently grounded due to an accident and consequent refusal of the FAA to clear his medical for another 3 years. Calvin sums the situation as an "epic fail" on the FAA's part and it doesn't stop him from "bitching" about it in public.

By Cynthia Lynn - My world is a canvas of colors, filled at various times with both strokes of anguish & joy. My life can get messy so if your hanging with me, best wear safety glasses.  

Flat Top Paramotor & S-Trike sets Powered Paragliding world's firsts

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