UNIT 7: SPORTS
My name‿ is Vera,│ an(d) two years‿ ago I did my firs(t) skydive. I was so nervous│ that Ithad I did not speak for the whole flight. Then the door‿ opened,│ we jumped from 4,000 metres,│ an(d) for ten seconds‿ I could not think‿ about‿ anything‿ at alladall.
The hour│ after landing was the best‿ of my life. Since then‿ I have jumped‿ eight times,│ an(d) las(t) summer‿ I tried surfing‿ in Portugal. Extreme sports‿ are risky,│ but they are much safer than people think,│ because the equipment‿ an(d) the safety rules‿ are strict. You cannot jump without‿ a certificate,│ and‿ every parachute‿ is checked│ before‿ it‿ is packed.
My mother hates‿ all‿ of‿ it‿ an(d) worries‿ every time. I understan(d) her,│ so I do not hide‿ anything from her. The reason‿ I do these sports‿ is not‿ adrenaline‿ any more;│ it‿ is the feeling│ that Ithad I can push myself│ an(d) stay calm‿ at the same time. Since‿ I started jumping,│ small problems‿ at work have stopped frightening me. If you want‿ a challenge,│ do not begin with the bigges(t) one. Begin with‿ a course,│ an‿ instructor,│ an(d) good‿ equipment.