Skydive the Wasatch Hosts 3rd Annual Addict II Athlete Event

Addict II Athlete Skydive the Wasatch group photo
For the 3rd year in a row, Skydive the Wasatch and the Uintah Basin chapter of Addict II Athlete have joined forces for an all-day Addict II Athlete Skydiving Event.  Addict II Athlete is a nonprofit organization that assists individuals touched by addiction and mental health. Addict II Athlete was formed as an alternative to […]

For the 3rd year in a row, Skydive the Wasatch and the Uintah Basin chapter of Addict II Athlete have joined forces for an all-day Addict II Athlete Skydiving Event. 

Addict II Athlete is a nonprofit organization that assists individuals touched by addiction and mental health. Addict II Athlete was formed as an alternative to other recovery programs and is built on a model of “erase and replace.” Their mission is to establish and maintain recovery by promoting lifestyle changes through erasing negative behaviors and replacing them with positive ones. They implement this through support meetings, group workouts, marathons, and events like skydiving with Skydive the Wasatch. 

James Johnson, the leader for the Uintah Basin Chapter of Addict II Athlete said that he noticed after a couple years, addicts tended to fall off of typical AA or NA 12-step fellowship groups. Addict II Athlete provides a new way for those individuals to recover while incorporating healthy lifestyle habits.

Founded in 2011 by Blu Robinson, Addict II Athlete is a nationwide action-oriented nonprofit group with multiple chapters in the U.S. as well as some in other countries. Addict II Athlete focuses on goal attainment for their participants, who are not only addicts, but also friends and family members and anyone affected by addiction and mental health. 

Blu Robinson and James Johnson
Addict II Athlete Founder, Blu Robinson (left) and leader of Uintah Basin Chapter of Addict II Athlete, James Johnson (right) before jumping in 2021 Addict II Athlete Skydive the Wasatch Event.

Johnson, the leader and fitness coach of the Uintah Basin Chapter of Addict II Athlete faced his own addiction issues and was introduced to the Addict II Athlete program while in prison for armed robbery. When Johnson was released, he took on running as a way to cope with his addiction and mental health issues and would post videos online about how to deal with anxiety through running. Shortly after, he started the Uintah Basin Chapter of Addict II Athlete so that he could help others recover from addiction through athletics and a positive support network. 

“When I started the chapter, I had the desire or thought to help people experience a new, healthy way of combating their past,” Johnson said. “I wanted to help people erase poor decisions and replace it with something of value.”

On May 14, Johnson is teaming up with Skydive the Wasatch for Addict II Athlete’s annual day of leisure, recreation, and skydiving. Johnson chose skydiving as an activity for his Addict II Athlete students because skydiving gives a similar endorphin release to drugs, but more importantly, because of the lessons his students can be taught through skydiving. 

“Skydiving helps you overcome fear,” Johnson said. “It teaches you faith and commitment.”

Each year, Johnson has picked a different lesson for his students to learn during their Skydive the Wasatch event. 

“Last year, it was overcoming fear. Year before, it was commitment. This is the 3rd year the event has been done,” Johnson said. 

When asked why he chose Skydive the Wasatch as the place to host the event, Johnson said he initially chose Skydive the Wasatch because of its premier location to Mount Nebo, the tallest mountain on the Wasatch Front, but has continued to host the event there because of the support that owner, Leon Roullard, and his team have provided to his group. 

“It is so enjoyable to see the lights come on for these folks as they realize just how great skydiving feels,” Roullard said. “The moment they realize that life without drugs can feel this good.”

The upcoming Addict II Athlete skydiving event will take place at Skydive the Wasatch on May 14, 2022. This full-day-long event is for recovering addicts and their friends and family to get together, watch loved ones jump, and support each other in their recovery. 

There will be an Addict II Athlete meeting both before jumpers take off for their skydiving experience and while those who have chosen to jump are skydiving. Food and other activities will also be provided throughout the day. 

The Addict II Athlete Skydive the Wasatch event is open to everyone. This year, Johnson has even joined forces with local law enforcement officers and military. 

“The Chief of Police is coming, APP (Adult Probation and Parole) officers, military, highway patrol,” Johnson said. 

“We’re trying to get them to stop playing cops and robbers. This event allows us to come together as one.” 

The Addict II Athlete Skydive the Wasatch Event will start around 7:45am and will last until all jumpers are finished. 

For more information about Addict II Athlete or their event with Skydive the Wasatch, reach out to James Johnson at (435) 724-7733 or Leon Roullard at info@skydivethewasatch.com.

Want to plan an event at Skydive the Wasatch? We’re the hottest spot to throw a party! Give your guests a memory they’ll never forget! Plan your birthday party, corporate event, bachelor/bachelorette, or anything you can think of, at Skydive the Wasatch! We specialize in working with large team building organizations like Train Invictus and many others! Want more info? Give us a call at (385) 321-0284 or send an email to info@skydivethewasatch.com

Addict II Athlete Skydive the Wasatch group photo
Group photo from Addict II Athlete’s 2020 Skydive the Wasatch Event
Addict II Athlete Skydive the Wasatch group photo

Skydive the Wasatch

Utah's premier tandem skydiving center, Skydive the Wasatch is a "refuge away from the stress and weight of life". Located only one hour away from the Salt Lake City metropolitan area and just half an hour from Provo, Skydive the Wasatch offers tandem skydiving over the majestic terrain of the Wasatch Front.
  • Sivanand S. Avatar
    Sivanand S.
    This is the first time I did a sky diving. My instructor Ethan is very helpful and encouraging. He guided me well about the steps and plan before making the dive. I love my skydiving experience at Wasatch.
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    10/15/2024
  • zach W. Avatar
    zach W.
    I absolutely loved jumping with these guys. Absolute professionals and tons of fun. They made my first experience unforgettable. I will be going back very soon for round 2. Thanks guys for everything.
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    3/12/2020
  • Spencer S. Avatar
    Spencer S.
    Leon and Adam were great. They were funny and personable. The experience was unforgettable. Nephi is great. Quiet airspace, beautiful scenery. While climbing to jump altitude, they took us along the mountain bench. The view was great. They did a good job explaining what to expect. The plane was solid. Highly recommend the experience.
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    3/12/2020
  • Rob v. Avatar
    Rob v.
    I had a great experience! The instructor made me feel safe and confident the entire time. The souvenir video that I got from the skydive was excellent too. I would definitely do it again!!!
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    4/15/2024
  • Adam P. Avatar
    Adam P.
    This was my second time jumping with Skydive the Wasatch, same great experience. This time I brought along my wife and mom, who had nothing but good things to say. They both noted that the instructors made them feel very relaxed in the air, despite being 13k feet up. I'm looking forward to more jumps in the future. Definitely something you need to try at least once in your life.
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    11/12/2020
  • Rachel O. Avatar
    Rachel O.
    I went a few days ago (mid october) and the views with the snow on the mountains were incredible! Everyone was so friendly and I even got to control the parachute for a bit! I'd definitely recommend to anyone interested in skydiving.
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    10/21/2023
  • Nathan S. Avatar
    Nathan S.
    Absolutely incredible experience! Skydiving is amazing and these folks make it easy! They’re very good at communicating everything and making it the best possible experience! Well worth the price, and getting the video was well worth it as well!
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    9/04/2024
  • Gage W. Avatar
    Gage W.
    As a first timer, it was incredible. The instructors were really cool, they made us feel safe and interested in doing it again! 10/10 would recommend!
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    10/21/2023
  • Ashlee H. Avatar
    Ashlee H.
    The staff are amazing and make you feel very comfortable. Will definitely go again! They even let my daughter go in the harness and entertained her before we went. Great experience all the way around!
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    8/23/2016
  • Tyler S. Avatar
    Tyler S.
    Had an awesome experience at Skydive Wasatch. I took my dad to jump for the first time for fathers day. He was super nervous at first, but the staff knows how to make us feel like family and made the whole jump process flawless. This was my 1st jump with them, but my 4th total jump. I will definitely return and I'd recommend checking them out! Thank you Skydive Wasatch!
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    6/21/2021

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