How old do you have to be to skydive? The answer is not as straightforward as one might think. In fact, the age requirement for skydiving can vary depending on the location. In this article, we will discuss the age requirements for skydiving in different parts of the world. We will also provide some tips on how to overcome any fears you may have about jumping out of a plane! We will also take a closer look at some of the best places to skydive in the world.
Before we dive into things, let take a closer look at what skydiving is and why millions of people around the world love it.
How Do You Explain Skydiving?
Skydiving, also called parachuting, is an extreme sport that involves jumping out of a plane from a high altitude and free falling before deploying a parachute to slow your descent. For many people, skydiving is seen as a bucket list item – something to check off their list of things to do before they die. For others, it’s simply an adrenaline rush that can’t be beat!
How Old Do You Have To Be To Skydive?
In tandem with the maximum allowable weight for skydiving, there is also a maximum allowable age. In order to participate in skydiving activities in the United States, a person must be at least 18 years old, even if their parents give their permission and the adult instructor is certified.
This minimum age restriction was established by law enacted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and it is strictly upheld by the United States Parachute Association as well as all dropzones that are connected with the USPA. It is not worth the significant risk of trying to “sidestep” the law by allowing a juvenile to participate in skydiving since dropzones can get into substantial difficulties for doing so, not to mention the legal trouble that would result from doing so.
If a young person has been itching to try skydiving but is not yet old enough to do so legally, a gift certificate to pay for their first jump on the day they turn 18 could be the ideal present for them.
It is essential to point out that there is no upper age restriction that is specified for people who want to go skydiving. As long as the individual in question is in sufficient physical condition to make the leap, they are free to move forward at any time they choose. In point of fact, there’s a new world record for the oldest tandem parachute jump. Rut Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson, of Sweden, took the title when she parachuted on May 29 of 2022 at the age of 103 years and 259 days old, according to Guinness World Records.
Why Is The Minimum Age To Skydive 18 Years Old?
The minimum age required to go skydiving might vary greatly from nation to country. Why, therefore, is the minimum age to jump in the United States 18 years old when other nations let people of a younger age participate?
The legislation mandates that individuals must be at least 18 years old before they are allowed to participate in skydiving. There is a rule that dictates the minimum age that one must be in order to parachute out of an airplane. This age, like the legal drinking age in the United States, which is 21, differs from nation to country. At this time, the legislation specifies that a person cannot partake in skydiving until they have reached the age at which they are considered an adult.
This is due to the dangers that come with participating in the sport. Although skydiving is intrinsically much safer than many people believe, skydivers are needed to sign waivers to safeguard the dropzone in case of any mishaps. This needs the signature of an adult who is fully competent in knowing the dangers they’re accepting in order to participate in skydiving.
Although Chicagoland Skydiving Center has maintained a perfect student safety rating for more than half a century of business, we have a deep respect for the rules that have been established by the FAA and USPA and we would never permit a minor to participate in a tandem skydive as long as our regulatory bodies consider it to be unsafe.
What Is The Weight Limit For Skydiving?
The majority of skydiving centers have a weight limit for tandem passengers that ranges from roughly 230 to 250 pounds for males and approximately 200 to 220 pounds for women. In most cases, there is not a minimum weight, but rather a minimum age (18 years old in the US). But there are other considerations besides the number that appears on the scale.
4 Physical Requirements You Need To Skydive
No matter how old you are, being in good general health, having a clear mind, being physically flexible, and having overall strength are all beneficial to the skydiving experience:
1. General Health
Remember that skydiving is considered an intense activity by many people. If you suffer from knee, hip, or back pain; have severe disease or disability; suffer from knee, hip, or back pain; have significant illness or disability, or suffer from any other health difficulty that would prohibit you from doing another extreme sport, then skydiving may not be for you.
A health concern that is closely monitored and well handled does not, in and of itself, provide any kind of barrier. Consult your physician before making any travel plans if you are unsure (and bring a note if you get the green light).
2. Clarity of Mind
Another factor, among many others, highlights the need of maintaining mental clarity. Skydiving is an activity that may fundamentally change a person. It takes a strong mind to be able to grasp the wonder that comes with launching into the sky more than two miles above the earth, freefalling at 120 mph, and then drifting under canopy till coming down on solid ground. You will never be able to replicate your first jump, so be sure you don’t minimise its importance.
3. Physical Flexibility
Flexibility will serve you well when you are rising to altitude (often while sitting on the floor or a bench), while you are making your way to the door with your tandem instructor before your jump, and while you are in freefall when the placement of your body is important. It is not necessary for you to be circus-ready, but it is beneficial if you are able to shimmy when required.
4. Strength
As a tandem student, most of the time you are just along for the ride (the most wonderful journey of your life), but you also have responsibilities. Holding your arms above your head will allow you to control the direction the parachute goes in. And when it’s time to touch down, you’ll need to elevate your legs so that you and your buddy can ensure a smooth landing.
If you do decide to continue and learn how to skydive, however, you will need to be self-reliant. This involves having the physical power to overcome the resistance of the wind while freefalling as well as the ability to deploy and direct your canopy.
What Are The Best Places To Go Skydive In The World?
If you are ready to take the plunge, the following is a list of some of the most popular skydiving locations, also known as drop zones, located all over the world. Each of these drop zones has its own breathtaking vantage point for you to enjoy as you freefall through the atmosphere.
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Dubai, a relative newcomer among the leading drop zones in the world, has been catching up, specifically by hosting one of the biggest annual international skydive championships, a competition that is sponsored by The Emirates Aerosport Federation (EAF), and Skydive Dubai. Dubai is a city jump, whereas the other drop zones on this list are desert jumps.
Fox Glacier, New Zealand
New Zealand is a mecca for extreme sports and is often considered to be the best nation in the world for skydiving, which is undoubtedly the most extreme sport there is. The country is home to a wealth of drop zones that are breathtakingly stunning.
The Fox Glacier, which is an 8-mile-long glacier that can be found in the isolated Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, is a favorite destination among visitors here. As you are falling freely through the air with your knees exposed to the wind, take in the breathtaking scenery of the untamed coastline along the Tasman Sea and the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps.
Hawaii, United States
There are a lot of people who will say that Waialua is the finest spot to go skydiving in all of Hawaii, and while that could be the case, you could make the case that anywhere in Hawaii is the best place to go skydiving. The views from 8,000 feet above are beyond stunning; they include rugged, colorful coasts, enormous palm tree-lined valleys, secret swimming holes, and vistas of awe-inspiring volcanoes.
Skydiving in Hawaii will provide you with memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life, regardless of whether you jump from Oahu, Kauai, Honolulu, or somewhere else in the state.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Interlaken has a rich history as a center for adventure sports, and it continues to be regarded by many divers as one of the most visually appealing drop zones in Europe. Skydiving in Interlaken is an exhilarating experience for both novice and expert jumpers alike due to the breathtaking vistas of Italy, France, Germany, and Austria that spread out beyond the snow-covered peaks of the Jungfrau and the Matterhorn in the Alps.
A first-time diver had this to say about his experience: “Barreling down on the Swiss Alps at near terminal velocity velocities is a thrill I will never forget.” And the scuba operations here operate exactly like one would anticipate anything to function in Switzerland: as precisely and reliably as a cuckoo clock.
North Wollongong Beach, Australia
The sensation of viewing the world from the vantage point of a bird is exhilarating. This emotion is amplified when the view includes the coastline of Sydney, Australia, where whales and dolphins can be seen playing in the clear sea below. The diving facilities in this location let you land on North Wollongong Beach itself, and they provide both tandem and solo jumps. Because of this, you have the option to start swimming immediately after you touch down. Now that’s a good day, mate.
Snohomish, Washington, United States
Enjoy the overwhelming beauty of the panoramic vista that encompasses you on all sides, including the snow-capped peaks of Mount Rainier and Mount Baker in the Cascades Mountain Range as well as the verdant San Juan Islands. This drop zone is known for being one of the most beautiful in the United States due to its mountain-to-sea setting.
Mount Everest, Nepal
Mount Everest is believed to be the tallest peak in the world because of its elevation above the level of the sea. It also happens to be one of the most stunning places in the world for skydiving, according to a widespread consensus. There is no other leap in the world that can compare to the sensation of parachuting out of an airplane over the beautiful snow-covered Himalayas in Nepal.
If you are looking for an experience that will provide you with the most intense rush of adrenaline possible, then skydiving over the highest peak on the planet is the right choice for you.
Pattaya, Thailand
Skydiving at Thailand’s Nong Kho Reservoir in Pattaya is a dream come true for adventurous tourists because it is claimed to be the only drop zone in Southeast Asia that operates continuously. You freefall into verdant fields with a nerve-wracking view of the western coast of Thailand, and the well-trained international team at this drop zone helps you find a safe landing so you can continue on with your adventure.
The diving facility here is roughly an hour’s drive south of Bangkok, and it offers a shuttle service to and from the popular destination for budget travelers, Khao San Road. This allows you to return to Bangkok, if necessary, in time for a celebratory post-dive Thai massage and curry.
Moab, Utah, United States
It is difficult to pick a single favourite location to go skydiving in the United States because the western states, and particularly the state of Utah, have such a large number of fantastic options. However, skydiving over the gorgeous Arches National Park in Moab is nearly at the top of the list of things that can get you as high as possible.
There are not many backgrounds in the United States that are as picture-perfect for an epic skydiving adventure as Arches National Park in Utah. The park is known for its gigantic sandstone arches, fantastic picturesque hiking paths, and monstrous red rock monoliths.
Conclusion
Skydiving is a great way to experience an adrenaline rush and have an adventure, so whether you’re keeping track of the days till you can legally call yourself an adult or you have your sights set on marking a significant achievement in the clouds, we hope this article answered all your questions.