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.
  • Indigo G. Avatar
    Indigo G.
    My husband and I did this today and it was amazing! So nerve wracking but also made me feel alive again. When we were done they said we’d have our videos in 24hrs but we actually got them like 2 hours later so that was cool! Thanks guys
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    7/31/2024
  • Tiffany M. Avatar
    Tiffany M.
    Had a complete blast! Leon and Chris make you feel right at home and make the jump a breeze! This was by far the best thing I've ever done! it was even better than Disneyland! I'll definitely be coming back again! Thank you Skydive the Wasatch!!
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    10/15/2021
  • Kyungjun S. Avatar
    Kyungjun S.
    Bunch of awesome and amazing guys that helped me and my friend throughout the whole process. They were friendly, kind, made us feel comfortable and made sure we had a great time. Definitely recommend these guys if you’re thinking about doing a jump! They make it a blast!
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    10/28/2023
  • Sam M. Avatar
    Sam M.
    It was an incredible experience from start to finish. Leon, Dan, and the whole crew took great care of us. I will absolutely be back to Skydive the Wasatch and I would recommend it to anyone that’s interested in skydiving. Thanks again for making my first experience a great one!
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    6/12/2020
  • Robert L. Avatar
    Robert L.
    Can’t get that kind of amazing I’m alive feeling doing anything else. Best staff best kind of people to trust your life with. Nerve racking for sure but LOVED every minute of it.
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    7/19/2022
  • Nichole S. Avatar
    Nichole S.
    I have never met a more caring crew. Everyone of them went above and beyond for me and my group of friend's. When 5 strangers give you such an amazing experience, love and kindness. You believe in humanity again. Thank you to each and everyone of you. You know what you did nor will I ever forget it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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    8/05/2020
  • Taylor P. Avatar
    Taylor P.
    these guys are super chill, the instructors are fantastic and definitely know what they are doing. i felt 100% safe the entire time. our group was met with nothing but hospitality the whole time we were there and they were very accommodating to us in virtually every aspect. (we did have to reschedule a couple times due to inclement weather, but that’s far outside anyone’s control) the overall experience was just fantastic and i hope to jump with these guys more in the future!
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    6/07/2023
  • Natalie M. Avatar
    Natalie M.
    My first time skydiving! They really took care of us and ensured we’d be safe and to have fun ! The whole staff was very personable(: I would recommend Skydive the Wasatch for anyone who wants to give skydive a go, or to get your jumping license.
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    6/28/2022
  • Cassie M. Avatar
    Cassie M.
    AWESOME dropzone! The owner and staff are professional, yet super fun to be around. The plane ride up is breathtaking and the instructors calm your nerves by telling jokes, singing, and giving you a freezepop (my favorite part).

    This place knows what they are doing! Stop reading this review and go skydiving now 🙂
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    8/13/2014
  • Tiffany Jones Avatar
    Tiffany Jones
    My experience at Skydive the Wasatch was top-notch! I was a little nervous to begin with and once I started working with my tandem instructor I felt safe and excited for this adventure. My daughter's persuaded me to join them skydiving to celebrate my youngest daughter's birthday and I am so glad I went along. It was an incredible experience. Definitely recommended. A++
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    8/10/2023

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