Is Skydiving Worth It? My First Experience

In July 2022, I jumped out of an airplane for the very first time, officially earning a spot on the “Top 5 Craziest Things I’ve Ever Done” list. Skydiving had always been on my bucket list, but it was more of a casual desire. You know how some bucket list items are merely there because they sound appealing in theory? That’s precisely how skydiving was for me. I never really believed I’d get the chance to check it off.

Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you’re intrigued about skydiving and want to understand the entire process. Well, you’re in luck! In this post, I’m going to use my personal experience to answer commonly asked skydiving questions including “How much does skydiving cost?”, “What does skydiving feel like?” and “How do you land when skydiving?” So, continue reading!

How it started

In my previous place of work, I had a media volunteer named Ben. One day, while Ben and I were talking, he revealed that he is an avid skydiver who has completed over 2,000 jumps. At the time, I (like many of you reading, I’m sure) didn’t realize that skydiving was a hobby or even a career. I thought it was something to try once for the thrill and never again.

After I shared my hesitance to skydive with Ben, he explained that skydiving is much safer and accessible than many believe. As a beginner diver, I would be strapped to a well-trained professional throughout and would be in good hands. He told me about Skydive Indianapolis, the skydiving facility he worked with just an hour away.

The more I learned about his experience, the less skeptical I became. He even offered to help me record and photograph my dive. One by one, the excuses I employed fell apart. Until I finally decided to take a leap of faith and book my appointment. Once my appointment was booked, I knew there was no going back. But I didn’t want to experience this alone. So after some nudging and echoing what I learned from Ben, I convinced two of my friends, Chrissy and Caroline, to join me. 

How much does skydiving cost?

The price you’ll pay to skydive largely depends on which facility you go to and the type of jump you want to make. As a beginner, you can either make a tandem jump, where you’re strapped to a professional, or make a solo jump. The price of a tandem skydiving jump ranges between approximately $350 to $400CAD. Some facilities (like the one I went to) offer discounts and seasonal specials, so you may get a cheaper rate depending on the timing. A solo jump requires enrolling in a training program to get certified. The cost of a training program ranges between approximately $2,500 to $3,500CAD. 

What should you wear to go skydiving?

Dress comfortably. Skydiving facilities encourage divers to wear sneakers, shorts or leggings, and a t-shirt in the summer, sweatpants or jeans and a sweater in the winter. It is always cooler up in the air than it is on the ground, so take that into consideration as well. Some facilities also provide jumpsuits for you to wear. Avoid wearing boots, heels, and open-toed shoes/sandals for your safety. 

How long does skydiving take?

Even though you only spend about five minutes in the sky, you should expect to spend two to four hours at the skydiving facility. Since skydiving is a weather-dependent activity, unexpected delays may occur. So I suggest keeping your calendar free of other appointments. 

What happens before you enter the plane?

Soon after my friends and I arrived at the facility, we were each asked to read and sign liability waivers then ushered to a room where we watched a short video informing us on what to expect during our dive and instructions on best practices. Afterwards, some instructors strapped each of us into a harness. They described what they were doing step-by-step, and reiterated the information we received from the training video.

Approximately 20 minutes prior to our jump, we were introduced to the tandem skydivers who would be our partners for the dive. My diving partner was a delightful man named Andre. Every person we interacted with was so reassuring and encouraging. They were equally as excited for what we were about to experience. 

How high do you go when skydiving?

We boarded a compact aircraft that ascended to an altitude of approximately 13,500 feet, a journey lasting roughly 15 minutes. Throughout this flight, our tandem instructors skillfully fastened our harnesses to theirs, making the necessary adjustments to ensure we were securely strapped in for the jump. Shortly after, our instructors got confirmation that it was time to jump. The airplane door opened. And then…

What does skydiving feel like?

I barely heard my own screams and laughter over the winds rushing through my entire body. For 60 seconds, my flailing arms and legs were at the mercy of the vast, open sky. My adrenaline was at an all-time high and I felt as physically free as I could possibly be. Then Andre pulled the parachute, and we went from plunging towards the earth to drifting peacefully over the city’s landscape for five minutes.

How to land after skydiving

Having a tandem dive meant that I only had one responsibility while landing. As Andre steered the parachute towards the drop zone, my job was to keep my knees lifted to my chest right before Andre’s feet touched the ground. Upon landing, Andre unfastened my harness from his, as I gushed in disbelief about the incredible experience of freefalling from the sky.

Is skydiving worth it?

On the car ride home, my friends and I unanimously agreed that everyone should have the chance to experience the thrill of skydiving at least once. The whole process was empowering, exhilarating, and a reminder that the depths of what I can achieve are endless. The dive itself wasn’t scary. I felt secure throughout, and all I could do was be in the moment and soak in the beautiful view. 

If you’re considering skydiving, take this as your sign to go ahead.  I’ll leave you with a quote that sums up what I would tell people who are curious but hesitant to commit: “You can take skydiving lessons, study aerodynamics, learn how to fold a parachute, and enter an airplane. You can put on a helmet and a parachute and stand at the door, but you still won’t know what skydiving is like. There comes a point when you have to jump.”

Is skydiving on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments! If you’re still in need of some courage, read this post to learn how to overcome your fears.