AFTER a spring break recovering from his winter seaside heroics, reporter DAN KEEL was back in action - flying without wings.
ONLY a fool makes the same mistake twice.
After giving my sadistic New Shopper readers the chance of suggesting a dare, I found myself neck deep in freezing water during one of the coldest winters in history.
Two months, and three chest infections later - it was time for a new strategy. And so with great relief, I was handed the chance to pick my own challenge.
Flying has always been something that interests me, and so when the Airkix indoor skydiving centre in Milton Keynes agreed to let me check out their wind tunnel, I jumped at the chance (get it?)
For those of you who don't already know, a wind tunnel works by blowing air at great speed up through the floor.
Flyers are surrounded by a glass cylinder and attempt to nail a very specific body position to hover in the air.
Experienced flyers can then go on to attempt various kinds of tricks and stunts including somersaults, flying on their head, and hurtling towards the ground before stopping dead - Mission Impossible style.
As I sat in my pre-jump tutorial, instructor Gary - It's an MK thing) certainly didn't mix his words.
"Keep yours arms out slightly bent in front of your face and level with your eyes", he said.
"If you put your arms by your side you will dive nose-first into the glass window."
One of the most terrifying aspects of this experience is having to lean forward and drop towards the floor - praying the wind will slowly lift you up.
Luckily for me - it did! But what I had not accounted for was the strain it puts on your muscles.
The three golden rules were a) chin-up not down, b) keep still and c) relax.
I managed to keep my chin up, partly succeeded in keeping still, but I defy anyone to relax on their first trip in a wind tunnel.
However, for short stints I did manage to hover in a fixed position which was great fun. If you have never watched a Dan Dares video in your life - make sure you watch this one!
Airkix indoor skydiving centre is based in Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK9 3XS.
A two-minute flight costs £29.99.
For more information and prices, or to book a flight, visit airkix.com, email infomcr@airkix.com, or call 0845 331 6549.
To watch Dan's wind tunnel experience on video, visit newsshopper.co.uk/news/features/dandares
After 13 challenges, here is Dan's record:
1. Cream cracker eating world record - FAILED
2. Finding five Dan Keels - FAILED
3. Half-marathon with two weeks training - PASSED
4. Eating hottest curry in Bromley - PASSED
5. Wing-walking on an aeroplane - PASSED
6. Shopper to the seaside spending no money - PASSED
7. Spanish GCSE knowing no Spanish - PASSED
8. Rubik's Cube challenge - FAILED
9. Head chopped off in guillotine - PASSED
10. Hairdressing challenge - FAILED
11. No sleep for 34 hours - FAILED
12. Swimming in sea in winter (no wetsuit) - PASSED
13. Flying in a wind tunnel - PASSED
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