Skydiving produces the ultimate adrenaline rush. But if parachuting out of an airplane at 10,000 feet — followed by 30-45 seconds of freefall at 120mph — sounds unnecessarily risky, you can try indoor skydiving.
But do you need to have prior experience to try indoor skydiving?
Read on to find out!
What You Need To Know About Indoor Skydiving
Are you an aspiring skydiver? Jumping out of a plane is scary, especially for the first time.
A bit of practice can go a long way toward making your experience even more thrilling, and what better way to prepare for a real skydive than an indoor skydiving session?
Read before you go – Can You Indoor Skydive If You Have a Medical Condition?
Indoor skydiving gives you a glimpse of what you can expect from the real thing.
Before we delve into the prior skydiving experience and whatnot, here are a few basic facts about indoor skydiving:
- Indoor skydiving is done within a safe, controlled environment.
- Indoor skydiving facilities rely on vertical wind tunnels to produce a feeling of easy levitation akin to the sensation of freefall.
- Giant, powerful fans in the tunnel send strong gushes of wind that counteract gravity and make you feel like you’re floating.
- Indoor skydiving instructors can adjust the speed of the fans to suit the individual flyer.
- Indoor skydiving is one of the safest extreme sports in the world. Accidents are rare, and injuries tend to be minimal.
- The first instance of indoor skydiving was recorded in 1964 by NASA scientists working on the Apollo Space Programme.
- Today, indoor skydiving is no longer seen as a once-in-a-lifetime activity but rather a sport, lifestyle, or hobby one can partake in regularly.
- Skydivers go indoor skydiving to practice skydives and hone their skills in the air.
Getting Started With Indoor Skydiving
Now that you understand how indoor skydiving works, you can start taking the necessary steps to bring your dreams of reaching new heights to reality.
Indoor skydiving is a relatively simple activity. All the training and preparation you need will be provided on-site.
Prior Skydiving Experience
If you’re wondering whether you need prior skydiving experience to go indoor skydiving, the answer is no. If anything, it’s the other way around. Indoor skydiving experience may be handy for your first real skydive.
What to Expect at Your First Indoor Skydiving Session
Are you considering indoor skydiving for the first time but unsure what to expect?
Many indoor skydiving centers will promise a unique experience of indoor skydiving, but that’s just marketing. Save for a few minor differences here and there. The overall experience is similar.
Your indoor skydiving experience will typically include the following.
Pre-flight briefing
Training is part and parcel of the indoor skydiving experience, and indoor skydiving centers take this part quite seriously (and you should, too!).
Upon arriving at the indoor skydiving center, training may be done remotely and in person.
Typically, flyers are encouraged to arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled flight time to facilitate the training.
Pre-flight training covers a wide range of subjects, including:
- Preparation for your flight
- Essential indoor skydiving techniques
- What to wear during a flight (clothes and footwear)
- Pre-flight meals
- Risk of injury
- Health restrictions
- Weight restrictions
The flight
After the briefing, you’re now ready for your flight. Wear the provided safety gear; your instructor will take you to the flight chamber.
The strong gushes of fast-moving air inside the flight chamber will make your body levitate, producing the same sensation as freefall.
Post-experience debrief
Your indoor skydiving session doesn’t culminate with your exit from the flight chamber.
Most facilities also have a post-experience debrief, whose purpose is to ensure that everything is A-Okay after your flight. Be sure to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
Harness the power of this comprehensive beginner’s guide to indoor skydiving, where information and practical tips are packed to enhance your experience.
Expert help
You’ll have a licensed and experienced instructor to see you through your indoor skydiving experience.
If you are nervy about your experience, having a kind and patient professional by your side can be incredibly helpful.
Wrapping Up
Are you interested in indoor skydiving but are not sure where to start? Don’t worry; indoor skydiving doesn’t demand much training and preparation.
Most importantly, you don’t need prior skydiving experience to try indoor skydiving.
