Want something new this summer? Go skydiving!
Are you looking for something new and exciting to try this summer? Have you ever thought about trying skydiving out? It's safer than you may think. Up until last year I had always wanted to try it but never could get myself to commit. It was on my list of life-long to-dos, and after deciding that now is as good a time as any other, I made my first jump. I found it to be a very unique, thrilling experience that I look forward to doing again. Here's how to finally make it happen:
Find a good skydiving facility in your area
Most of the US has skydiving centers within a drivable range of any major city. The USPA (United States Parachute Association) has a list of dropzones here. I recommend researching the facilities in your area to find overall injury and fatality rates. Some places are safer than others. I live in Chicago and went to Skydive Midwest. Their instructors were excellent and they have a great safety record.
Assemble your party
It's much easier to get yourself to go if you're going with others. Ask your friends if they'd like to go. You'll be surprised at how many people are interested. Many businesses offer group rates for 5 or more people.
Commit to it
Confirm a date with your party, then call and schedule an appointment. Plan on being there for a few hours, as everyone needs to go through a quick training session before actually going up.
Jump options
Most people do tandem jumps their first several times. In a tandem jump, you are attached to the front of an instructor who has 500 or more solo jumps under their belt. They do all the work for you. All you have to do is go along for the ride.
The other option is to do a solo jump. This generally requires a full day of ground school first. Your first few solo jumps are to be accompanied by 2 instructors who will jump with you, make sure you're steady and guide you to the ground.
What to expect
The most nerve-wrecking part of the experience is waiting to jump. Most people are very quiet and anxious in the airplane while ascending. Once you are at the proper altitude, you and the instructor will walk to the door, count to 3 and roll out together. Free fall isn't jarring and doesn't make your stomach turn upside down. I found it to be relaxing, like floating in a pool. You have about 60 seconds of free fall until it's time to deploy the chute.
At 5,000 feet you or your instructor will deploy the canopy. A tandem canopy is much larger than a solo. There are usually 2 sets of handles on a tandem rig so that you can try controlling it as well as the instructor. People with stronger arms will have a much easier time making turns and flaring. This part of the jump lasts 10-15 minutes.
Once on the ground, all the anxiety is gone. You successfully jumped out a plane at 10,000 feet and walked away to tell the story!
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