WATCH: Ryan Thomas takes to the air at Bear Grylls' NEC indoor skydiving experience
TV star Ryan Thomas has overcome his fears as he paid a special visit to the Bear Grylls Adventure in Birmingham.
Ryan became the first member of the public to try the new immersive indoor skydive activity, which is the equivalent of three 12,000 ft sky dives, at the world’s first attraction based on Bear Grylls' adventures.
Having met his girlfriend, Lucy Mecklenburgh, on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls in 2017, he was seen as the perfect choice to come and experience his attraction first hand.
As well as appearing on Celebrity Island, the former Coronation Street actor is fresh from winning Celebrity Big Brother just last month
Ryan said: “As soon as I heard about the attraction I couldn’t wait to come and see it for myself. Lucy and I overcame so many of our own personal fears on the Island last year and when I heard this offered an indoor freefall experience I knew I had to try it. I’ve never really had a head for heights so this was a great way of testing myself.
“Bear Grylls is an expert at challenging people and making them test themselves and this attraction is no different. It’s like bringing the challenges we faced on The Island to Birmingham!”
While at The Bear Grylls Adventure, Ryan also tried a giant scorpion on a sriracha scorpion shot and was pictured tucking into a grasshopper pizza as he sampled some of the special dishes available. Ryan added that it really brought back memories of struggling to eat limpets on the Island last year.
Ryan reminisced about meeting Lucy in such tough circumstances saying it really brought them together and that the adrenalin of being in the iFLY reminded them of those early days getting together.
Scientific research by the University of Wolverhampton in conjunction with The Bear Grylls Adventure confirmed that Brits find the anticipation of going on a first date as adrenaline inducing as the thought of jumping out of a plane.
Ryan said: “This would be a great place for a first date as it would really get your heart rate going and you can see how the other person copes with their nerves. That was one of the best things about getting to know Lucy in that situation as we were such a great support mechanism for each other.”
Guests can learn how to spin, roll, flip and fly with the help of highly trained parachute experts, perfect for skydiving regulars and novices in the iFLY.
Skydiving is credited as being one of Bear’s own defining life moments, and visitors will experience the incomparable feeling of freefall within the iFLY indoor freefall wind tunnel. This offers intense wind speeds equivalent to the freefall time of more than three skydives.
Bear Grylls said: “Sky diving is definitely something that’s hard for me after breaking my back in a free-fall accident whilst I was in the military, but I still have to jump and deal with heights every day in my job. Knowing that one of the crew has their hand on my shoulder before I jump always helps, and at the Bear Grylls Adventure we’ve got our instructors helping guest on a one-on-one basis through this incredible experience.
“iFLY is the perfect opportunity for guests to get a taste of a real skydive, as each minute in the wind tunnel is the equivalent of one skydive, and requires real concentration, stamina and balance.”
General manager of the Bear Grylls attraction, James Thomas, said: "Indoor skydiving is one of our four headline adventures and it’s a fantastic, action packed 90 minute challenge for our guests. The equation to conquering iFLY is simple, the more you fly, the better you will get. Our staff are experts in their field and will make sure you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll never forget.”
Guests will also take part in Basecamp, which is designed as the heart of the attraction, consisting of four team and individual challenges which will equip thrill seekers with all the skills needed for any adventure.
Tickets to Basecamp start from £20, with the Basecamp and iFLY package available for £65 per person. If visitors are up for the ultimate challenge, The Bear Grylls Adventure will offer a Go ALL in Pass for just £160pp. for a full day adventure.
For more information visit www.beargryllsadventure.com/tickets
