What goes up must come down, and today Deco’s Chris Van Vliet learned that the fun way. Yeah, rappelling down the side of a building, and all for a great cause.
Chris Van Vliet: "Well, there it is: the Sonesta, here on Fort Lauderdale Beach. It’s pretty tall, isn’t it? We’re about to go over the edge, rappelling down the side, and you’re coming with us. Let’s go!"
Mike Hills: "The thrill with this building, really, is the view, the wind in coming in, the weather. The temperature is just absolutely fantastic."
Fantastic is right! This is the fourth year for Over The Edge, supporting Gilda’s Club of South Florida. It’s named after Saturday Night Live cast member Gilda Radner, who died of ovarian cancer when she was just 42. The club provides services for people affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Shelley Goren: "I think the most important part about it was that we could link it to our message and our mission, which is, when you’ve got a cancer diagnosis, it’s really like you’re living on the edge."
The first 90 people to register and raise $1,000 get to go over the edge this Saturday. But before you can go down, you have to gear up.
Chris Van Vliet: "It’s uncomfortable in all the wrong places. If you know what I mean."
A quick safety briefing and then it’s up to the roof!
Chris Van Vliet: "It didn’t seem so high when we were down there. Now you get up here … and I’m alright, I’m OK."
The closer we get to the edge, the more I can feel my heart beating faster and faster.
Chris Van Vliet: "There’s really one way down now, and it’s the elevator so … no. We’re going down."
Chris Van Vliet: "All right, are you ready? Here we go. Oh, my gosh. Wow."
It took a minute to get the hang of things, but once we got going, we got going pretty fast. But if you go too fast, a safety mechanism kicks in to stop you from free falling.
Chris Van Vliet: "Uh oh. What did I do?"
Yep, stuck and dangling high above Fort Lauderdale. But not for long.
Chris Van Vliet: "Yep, we’re good now."
And finally back on the ground!
Chris Van Vliet: "Woo! All right. It’s great! What a rush!"