Fredericksburg, U.S.A. — The race is on. Not only for Obama and Romney, but for 500 top skydivers nationwide competing at the 2012 U.S. Parachute Association National Skydiving Championships, the world’s largest annual skydiving competition, October 25-November 3 at Skydive Arizona in Eloy.

Masked candidates “President Barack Obama” and “Governor Mitt Romney” aired things out – upside down and at 12,000 feet! USPA coordinated the stunt over Skydive Perris in California, with skydiversTravis Fienhage and Andy Malchiodi, World and U.S. Freefly Champions from team SoCal Converge, in honor of competition – for president and skydiving champion.

At Nationals, the country’s finest, fastest, most fearless aerial athletes will take the plunge and push their skydiving skills to the limit, competing in five spectacular disciplines: Formation Skydiving (4-way, 8-way, 10-way and 16-way events), Artistic Events (which include stunning Freeflying and Freestyle), Freefall Style and Accuracy Landing (also known as “the classics”), Canopy Formation and Vertical Formation Skydiving.

The U.S. Parachute Team—the country’s top aerial athletes—have their final opportunity to show what they’ve got before heading to Dubai, UAE, at the end of November for the World Parachuting Championships. Also, in the classics event, U.S. Team member Cheryl Stearns, who recently reached 19,000 jumps—a U.S. record for most jumps for a female—looks to hold onto her national champion title.

The championships are free and open to the public. Sports fans and spectators can catch the action happening thousands of feet above the drop zone on video monitors, as well as view hundreds of colorful canopies filling the sky and thousands of dramatic landings.

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Michigan, U.S.A. — A new generation is redefining retirement by diving into high-energy activities and seeking new experiences – from motorcycle riding and hiking to kayaking and white-water river rafting.

One of the nation’s active adult community builder reports that high-energy clubs and activity groups are gaining popularity across the nation, with health and fitness emerging as a top interest among both Del Webb residents and prospective home buyers.

“Recreational interests among Baby Boomers are more diverse than ever before. Sure, golf and tennis are still popular, but now so are outdoor adventure activities like canoeing and kayaking, marathon running, rock climbing, off-roading and even sky diving,” said Judy Julison, Del Webb’s national director of lifestyle. “I’ve worked in the industry for more than 30 years and have never seen a more diverse group of people with so many varying interests.”

Julison added that expectations about age, vitality and quality of life continue to be redefined and emphasize the importance of physical activity for many Del Webb residents. Advancements in health care and improved access to wide variety of fitness and wellness oriented programs have contributed to promoting improved health and extending life expectancy. Boomers feel years younger than their chronological age and this typically is reflective of their active lifestyle, she said.

According to the most recent Del Webb Baby Boomer survey, 80 percent of Boomers indicated that they feel younger than their current age. More specifically, younger Boomers, age 50, said they feel 10 years younger, Boomers in their early 60s said they feel 13 years younger and Del Webb residents with a median age of 65 said they feel 15 years younger than their actual age.

“Baby Boomers enjoy ‘experiences,’ rather than just ‘activities.’ They are also known to go to great lengths to resist the realities of aging,” Julison said. “Our Del Webb residents are constantly seeking new, active and high-energy activities that can be incorporated into their everyday life, that also allow them to socialize and have fun. They are often motivated by a simple desire to try something new or to engage in an experience that challenges them physically and mentally.”

With 73 percent reporting they exercise regularly, Del Webb residents are embracing more health-oriented and fitness activities. This is also reflected in the residents’ requests for new group fitness classes, organized sporting events and increased attendance at the communities’ fitness centers.

Seeking more adventure activities is definitely in line with Jack Burch’s idea of retirement, as he regularly participates in motorcycle rides. Jack, 58, a Carolina Preserve by Del Webb resident, started riding a scooter when he was 10 because it was “easier than walking up the hill to fetch the cows.” From there he rode dirt bikes and street bikes. “I gave up riding while raising five children but my wife and I have returned to it now that they are grown.”

His wife Carol Burch, 55, also enjoys all kinds of rides in North Carolina and beyond – from three hour rides to trips that are 300 miles a day for a week.

“Riding on the back seat just wasn’t for me, so I took the class and got my own. Now when we go on trips whether they are three hours or 300 miles daily for a week, I am in control. I can smell those beautiful flowers on the side of the road and yes, also the cow dung,” Carol says. “I look forward to each and every ride exploring new areas and absolutely love the mountain twisties. This is something we can do into our 80s.”

Image Courtesy of  StreetStrider International

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After interviewing and polling a variety of people, male and female, of all ages, from all over the U.S. with the help of friends, Facebook, and relations Toonari Post determined the top 25 things to do before you turn 25. What would you do? Some results are:

1. Go sky diving.

2. Travel outside the state you were born in. Take a road trip with friends or family. It will be the experience of a lifetime.

3. Robin, from Florida, suggests, write a letter to yourself, and open it on your 40th birthday.  This letter could say what you hope you have accomplished by 40, a reminder of who you were, what you wanted from life, and a motivational speech to keep you moving forward. 

4. Volunteer for an organization you care about. There are a ton of opportunities to volunteer out there. Organizations, book clubs, pottery classes, feed the homeless.

5. See your favorite band at a live concert.

6. Make a new friend. You can never have too many, and they will make the next 25 years even sweeter.

7. Take a multi-day hiking trip.

8. Casey Allen, suggests learning to play an instrument. Learning a new skill is always fun and rewarding.

9.Open a retirement account. You would be surprised at how much money you will have if you start early!

10. Learn about your elders and your family history. Ask what life was like when they were 25. You’ll wish you had once they are gone.

11. Make a dream board. Cut out and paste all the things you want to accomplish in life on a big board. Add quotes, pictures of what you want and love, words that inspire you. Get creative. Then hang it somewhere you will see it everyday. You will be surprised how much this keeps you motivated, inspired, and on track.

12. Look back on the last 25 years, and make sure you have no regrets. See where you can make personal changes for growth and accomplishment. Check yourself, and make sure you are who you want to be. Would you be friends with you? What’s changed for the better, or worse. What have you been hiding in your mind, trying to forget, not dealing with, or avoiding? Time to make changes. Make sure your soul is caught up with the whirl wind, mechanical life.

13. Step outside your adventure bubble. See snow, swim naked, swim in an ocean, fly on an airplane, cave explore, or scuba dive. Many people have not done these things.

14. Do something daring, conquer a fear. Once you see what you are capable of, you will take bigger risks, with bigger rewards in the future. Buy a snake or spider, sing karaoke, dance in public, give a speech. Whatever used to scare you, is about to run away because you’re ready to conquer!

15. Tell someone you love them. Whether it is your ex, your mother, a spiritual figure, or your dog, just say it and mean it!

16. Finish college. Some people get side tracked or life calls them in a different direction. Even if you only take one class a term, try to finish to give yourself the best opportunity.

17. Burn old bridges, make new ones, and mend broken ones. Let go of the things that are holding you back or holding you down. Explore new possibilities and step outside your bubble. Mend relationships that are important to you. Don’t let something wonderful slip away. Doing these three bridge works can clear the negativity in your life and take the weight off your shoulders.

18. Get a full body check up. You never know what may be hereditary in a perfectly healthy body. Live longer, and prosper. Getting into an exercise routine by time your 25 is a healthy start.

19. Read a classic. Open your mind to a book you would never consider. You would be surprised what you learn about life, and yourself. If reading is not something you normally do, give it a shot.

20. Have a wild night. If you have not had a “don’t tell mama night” by 25, you are missing out. Don’t do anything to hurt yourself or others, but definately try letting loose. Don’t be afraid to ignore your iphone, call into work, just this once, and dance the night away with that sexy stranger.

21. Move out. Get a job. Establish independence. Become an adult, don’t be scared. The world doesn’t fall out from under you, and it feels great to make your own way.

22. Have a yard sale. Get rid of that love letter from your fourth grade crush, and that sock that your grandmother gave you in high school that doesn’t fit. Massive clean outs are refreshing, and open the door to fresh starts. Make room for the next 25 years.

23. Get out of old habits, and make new ones. Try a new food, or restaurant.

24. Do something for someone else without them knowing. Selfless acts are rewarding, and not needing to hear praise or thank you is a lesson in humility and modesty.

25. Make your own bucket list.

Now get out there, and get to it!

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