I’m pretty sure most people want to become a skydiver after doing their first tandem jump and the need of adrenaline, or maybe after being dared to jump out of a plane and falling in love with the feeling.
I remember I had thought about it some time ago, but I never really looked for it. Maybe I considered it was way too expensive even though I never did the research, or I was too busy with other hobbies and ideas.
Luckily for me, a friend got involved and then invited me to jump, to which of course I said “Yes !! let’s do it”. By that time I had done bungee jumping already, it was fun and thrilling, but I never felt really safe and also I couldn’t continue to look down where I was about to jump, so I considered it a one time only experience.
On the other hand, Skydiving, it was different since the beginning. The guys doing the skydive (currently they are close friends) had an amazing vibe and enthusiasm, so contagious and encouraging that I immediately began asking about what I needed to do in order to be able to jump and we included some parts of the training in the first jump ( not too much so that I could still enjoy the first jump).
Trying to describe the feeling of the first jump isn’t easy, it is a whole mix of emotions. While flying upskies you can think of everything and nothing at the same time, you are so expectant, anxious, thrilled and excited about what you are going to finally accomplish. Your body starts pumping blood faster when your tandem master asks you to start moving to get you ready, you answer the questions about how you are doing so far and smile to the camera, but you can’t stop thinking about jumping, how much time is left or if you are ready.
Then the door opens, during the last seconds you think you are ready until you put your feet out and wait for the countdown, that moment isn’t easy to describe, then it’s count 3 and you are out, the wind starts to feel faster and harder in your face and you have the biggest smile ever, adrenaline pumps out and your heart beats super fast, the sense of time is not important at all, you feel like you’ve been falling for so long even though it’s been a few seconds, out of a sudden your parachute is open and you feel like you hit the brakes and a swing on your legs. Your jump isn’t over, but now the second part under canopy has started and you are able to enjoy the view calmly.
My first jump was in playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, deep blue ocean, nearby mountains at our height and green trees all around, plus the geography of the west coast was one of the best views I’ve seen in my country. Besides the lovely views, I had some extra fun when turning the canopy down in circles, it is not the same as with a smaller canopy but for the first time a tandem canopy was fun as well.
“Everything that goes up, must come down“, we are only gliding through the air until we reach the ground. I knew skydiving would become something I should keep doing once I landed and so it began, I asked all that I needed to be able to do this by myself and how much it would cost.
Whenever I want something so much, I try to wait for a week before getting it, then I know I really want it and it is not just being compulsive. I had to wait for a few months because back then I could not get certified in my country, so I had to travel and ask for vacations.
If you have doubts about doing your first jump, then I recommend you just do a reservation and pressure yourself with a date. You won’t regret it, and who knows, it might become your next hobbie. I really advice doing it at least once to everyone I meet, it is a no brainer in the bucket list.
Some facts and recommendations:
- There is no stomach drop. Since you have initial speed, you won’t feel full gravity acceleration, you’ll feel you are going faster !
- You should not skydive or get into any airplane if you scuba dived in the last 24-48 hours.
- Most drop zones won’t let you jump if you are not an adult.
- You should not skydive if you have donated blood in the last 24 hours.
- There is a reserve parachute in case something wrong happens to your main, and also a computer that would deploy it automatically in case of emergency.
- You can breathe normally while falling, depending on your face position it could be more difficult, just nod a bit and you’ll fix it.
- What to wear?? Most drop zones will give you a student suit which is the best, but depending on the region it could be more comfortable to use shorts/t-shirt. Just don’t wear anything you don’t want to lose, or that could compromise security. Ask your instructor for details.
PD: My first skydive was with Skydive Costa Rica.
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