Above: Jumpers head for the island landing area. Photo by Timothy Parrant.
Alter Ego Adventures was at it again from April 5-13 with a unique adventure boogie to Madagascar, the first skydiving event on the island in 23 years. The Madagascar Boogie was an unforgettable affair that combined jumping, nature and culture.
The journey began with jumping over the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs. Madagascar Minister of Tourism Viviane Dewa not only attended and supported the event, but also enjoyed a tandem jump over Baobab Avenue.
The main event on Nosy Be Island followed, operating out of the nearby international airport. Jumpers touched down on five islands that had never before been skydiving landing areas, and even with 61 boogie attendees, there were zero water landings the entire trip! Skydivers landed on the warm sands of three beaches on Nosy Be, just steps away from their hotels.
Itineraries were packed with adventures, in the sky and elsewhere. Participants enjoyed snorkeling and scuba diving in crystal-clear waters and interacting with lemurs on Lemur Island and a nature preserve. They also enjoyed riding quads through the villages on an eight-hour island trip and embarking on a pirate ship to Turtle Island for unforgettable swims with giant turtles.
One of the unique experiences was landing in front of the hotels where hundreds of kids from many of the nearby villages surrounded the skydivers, dancing and cheering. On each island jump, the skydivers could swim, snorkel and have lunch—featuring fresh lobsters prepared in traditional Malagasy style—cooked right in front of them. The local community added to the festive atmosphere, performing traditional dances and music that resonated with the spirit of Madagascar.
A fun fact for those with a culinary flair: Madagascar is the world’s leading producer of vanilla, contributing more than 80% of the global supply (including that used in Chanel No. 5 perfume). Many of the adventurers took home this aromatic treasure.
Local children greet the jumpers after landing. Photo by Timothy Parrant.
The boogie culminated in a lively tapas-style banquet and party, complete with a DJ spinning tunes until the early hours. The event sponsors generously provided prizes for the winners of musical chairs and a fun freestyle competition. Alter Ego even incorporated local traditions into the festivities with a head-balancing competition, showcasing the incredible skills present in Malagasy culture. Option Gravity provided the event jerseys adorned with illustrations of Madagascar’s unique fauna.
This skydiving adventure was not just about the breathtaking views and incredible jumps; it was about experiencing the warmth of the Malagasy people, savoring delicious food and rum and creating memories that will last a lifetime. The team behind the event included Curt Bartholomew, Jeannie Bartholomew, Amanda Owens, Timothy Parrant, Andy Sbarato, Billy Sharman, Myriam Tobolik and many more who made the journey possible.
Jeannie Bartholomew D-30638
DeLand, Florida