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Freefalling Fred flies high

28 Oct, 2009 01:55 PM
Hurtling towards earth at 200 miles an hour from a height of 1400 feet - the contents of the knapsack strapped to your back, your only insurance of a safe landing.

Certainly it is not everyone's idea of a good time but for Ulladulla's Fred Moore it's just another day at the office.

"Being 'on the edge' sounds a bit reckless," suggests Fred.

"I enjoy adrenalin. But I get more enjoyment out of structured adrenalin than playing the fool on a Harley - there's a big safety difference there."

Fred speaks from experience, having done the motorbike thing too.

The son of a Baptist minister, Fred surmises that his somewhat sheltered upbringing, "free of adversity," is a big factor contributing to his taste for adventure - his penchant for 'the edge.'

Growing up on a farm in Euroa, Victoria, Fred remembers he always loved anything outdoors, and was the only sibling of four who would help his mum around the place.

"I was born at a very young age - and it was all downhill from there."

Fred is also defined by his wicked sense of humour.

"I had a motorbike and a lot of miles to play with. I always enjoyed that sort of thing."

Fred's dad mentored a young, tearaway motorbike racer who would arrive on a Harley Davidson. For Fred that bike and its rider came to symbolize rebellion and freedom.

Later on when he eventually bought his own Harley, Fred says he was "drawn to the dark side" - the biker culture.

Speed, wild parties, Hells Angels and Rebels.

"I had this idea that the only true biker was an outlaw biker.

"It wasn't really conducive to the lifestyle of someone who's had a good upbringing."

"Fortunately, whenever I got too close I'd pull back - I'd always get burnt."

His introduction to skydiving - the thrill that, for Fred, would ultimately surpass and replace the bike - came during his time in the army.

Joining up when he was 17 Fred, found himself 'backstage' with the SAS.

"Being in the plane watching these madmen jump out - it was the first time I felt other people's adrenalin.

"I was looking at these guys with absolute awe and respect."

It was the only push Fred needed.

As well as his first skydiving course, he ventured into scuba diving and rock climbing.

"I was going through one of those stages in life when I just wanted to have fun - which is going to stop soon."

Fred appreciated the discipline of the army but realised that for him it wasn't going to be a long-term career.

He left and spent 18 months mustering cattle in Queensland before winding up in Ayers Rock and the building trade.

It was there he bought his first Harley.

Sydney followed, then Canberra when Fred, now married, was offered a postie run in Ulladulla.

He remembers the day the call came.

Erecting scaffolding on a freezing Canberra morning, Fred had forgotten his gloves and his hands had frozen to the steel bars.

As it turns out that call and the subsequent move to Ulladulla marked a major change of direction in Fred's life.

"I would spend two hours delivering parcels in the morning - which would make enough room for me to lie down in the back of the van.

"I'd pull up at Mollymook Beach, put the back up and watch the dolphins, listening to the Verve on the radio while I had my smoko.

"We'd just started a family and I thought, it doesn't get better than this. I felt very euphoric."

But Fred still had his bike and was still pushing it.

"A good friend said - you need to find something healthier."

In 2000 Fred went back to skydiving - full time.

His 'official' job title at Skydive the Beach is 'Lubricant' - "because I make everything run smoothly."

For Fred, the change in direction brought with it unexpected rewards.

"Nothing makes me feel calmer or more deeply happy.

"It became very apparent that fear and excitement are two sides to the same coin - fear comes with the unknown.”

Conquering his fear, through knowledge, has brought with it its own wisdom.

"I feel I can achieve anything now - I don't have a fear of trying anything."

In recent years Fred found himself backstage once again - this time supporting the two eldest of his four children and the rest of the cast of the Follies Theatre Company.

Then, unable to resist another challenge, Fred was taking centre stage as Hook in this year's production of Peter Pan.

"There's a reoccurring thing that comes up when I face fears now - there comes a time when you just have to step up.

"Because if you don't, your fear can stop you from doing things, which then turns to regret."

For Fred, his has been an empowering journey.

"It's all brought me to a place in life where I'm really comfortable.

"You get the knowledge over the years - what are your beliefs, what's important.

"And family life - that's the most rewarding of all."

When it comes to the inherent dangers of his job, Fred is all business.

"Structure everything you do. Treat every jump as if it is the only jump in your life."

And then there is the skydiver's quote that Fred says puts things into perspective - "Remember when skydiving was dangerous and sex was safe?"

For Fred, pushing himself is no longer only about the thrill. It is about testing himself, it is about knowing what he is capable of.

"Everyone should do things outside their safety zone - but do it with knowledge.

"That brings empowerment."

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FREEFALLING: Skydiving is more than just an adrenalin rush, says self-confessed thrill-seeker, Fred Moore. I feel I can achieve anything now - I don't have a fear of trying anything.
FREEFALLING: Skydiving is more than just an adrenalin rush, says self-confessed thrill-seeker, Fred Moore. "I feel I can achieve anything now - I don't have a fear of trying anything."

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