100-year-old South African woman skydives for her birthday

It’s not every centenarian’s idea of a birthday party, but this great-grandmother wouldn’t have it any other way.

This weekend, Georgina Harwood of South Africa celebrated her 100th birthday by skydiving over Cape Town. Fifteen family members and friends joined her, jumping out of an airplane in groups of three.

It was the third tandem skydive for the adventurous Harwood, who hoped to raise awareness and funds for the National Sea Rescue Institute through her birthday jump.

Her first jump was when she was 92.

“It was wonderful, it was exhilarating,” she told reporters after the jump. “I’m trying to think of the adjectives I can add to, but it is very difficult, there are so many adjectives. But it was definitely a very special, exhilarating experience, even this jump seemed to be a little bit different from the previous ones.”

Upon landing, Harwood’s family handed her a celebratory glass of pink champagne. They then walked up Table Mountain for some cake.

“I’m so delighted that at the age of 100 I’m still a reasonably active sort of person that I can enjoy my beautiful cake; and I can get myself up the mountain. I do like my walking stick but otherwise I can walk up the stairs,” Harwood told the Associated Press.

Today, Harwood plans to continue the adrenaline-filled birthday activities by cage diving among Great White Sharks.

The inspiring senior says her motto is:

“Do it now! Whether it’s comfortable or uncomfortable, good or bad, relaxing or challenging – don’t delay.”