A Few Things I Learned While Attempting To “Skate” In (Simulated) Zero Gravity
One short ZERO-G flight for man; one giant ollie for mankind.
By Tony Hawk
1. Simulated Moon and Martian gravity is way more fun for skating than no gravity at all. But you only get to experience those three times for 30 seconds each on the “Vomit Comet.” The rest of the flight is 12 zer0-gravity parabolas — each 30 seconds in duration. I did my first boneless backflip on our last martian gravity experience, and I was just starting to get the hang of doing ollies in slow motion.
2. Speaking of vomit, Jaws barfed … a lot. We couldn’t show it because Sony paid for our flight and they didn’t think it would appeal to the general public, but when you barf into a bag in zero gravity, it bounces back into your mouth. This created a vicious cycle of re-barfing for Jaws, and a great source of entertainment for yours truly.
3. There is no up, only walls, but you are acutely aware of the ground that you left because the staff yells “FEET DOWN” as the plane starts to level out. I waited a little too long to actually put my feet down and fell from the ceiling one time, in a perfect upside-down Indy position.
4. 30 seconds goes by extremely fast when trying a new trick. You get two tries, and then you are usually thrown to the ground on your third as gravity smacks you back into reality.
5. You cannot swim through the air, but you will continue to try and look ridiculous doing so.
6. An object in motion stays in motion, until another flailing, kicking object bounces off a wall and hits you uncontrollably. The plane then becomes a beautiful, chaotic, floating mosh pit.
7. Rocket air. Because … duh.
