Lindsey Larson (KVRR)
WEST FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) – Lindsey Larsen grew up on a farm near the West Fargo Airport, watching the crew from Skydive Fargo. Now, she’s making her first jump.
Larsen used to see the skydivers all the time growing up, and always dreamed of taking the jump herself.
“This is a core memory for me as a child, watching the people skydive.”
Larsen said her journey began with a chance encounter she had as a child with Skydive Fargo founder Don Solberg
“He’d lost his watch when he was skydiving and I was young and I helped him look for it in the field. So, there’s a little connection there,” Larsen said. “I kind of sat for a few days and I was like ‘You know what? Let’s try [skydiving] out.’”
For Don Solberg, skydiving was a passion. Now, the North Dakota skydiving icon’s friends and family are honoring his legacy through a foundation that offers all-expense-paid jumps to deserving members of the community
Solberg’s love of skydiving was a lifelong one. He took his last dive at age 70.
Don Solberg passed away in February of 2024. His daughter Megan set up the foundation to remember her father’s legacy.
“It was his passion, and he spoke about the sport continuously, always tried to get people involved,” Solberg said. “He always felt like if somebody wanted to skydive they should have the opportunity to. So, just to do that and to carry on his legacy, I feel that everybody has a legacy or leaves behind something and for me it’s just a big honor to be able to be part of this with Skydive Fargo.”
Soldberg said the feeling of finally getting to do their first jump was special.
“You know there’s happiness, sadness, but it’s just wonderful. That’s all I can say.”
Before her jump, Larsen said that she was struggling just a little bit with the nerves.
“It wasn’t until my drive out here that my heart started to pound really hard, and I’m actually super nervous, but I’m excited,” Larsen said.
After another delay due to weather, Larsen said she just wanted to finally get up in the air.
On the way up, Larsen enjoyed the views, and back on the ground after the jump, she said it had been perfect.
“So, definitely I think I would do it again,” Larsen said.
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