A Guide To Skydiving

Skydiving, as the word implies, is an activity in which you'll be literally
diving down from the sky with some safety measures, of course. It's done from
an airplane or a helicopter which takes off from a drop zone, which is like a
small airbase.

A Bird's Eye View Of Skydiving

If you're planning to do this breathtaking activity, then you should be
prepared to know that skydivers would usually exit their airplane at the height
of 4000 metres or 13,000 feet. After doing so, you would have to do a freefall
for a period of time and then you could open your parachute to slow down your
descent until you reach a safe and slow landing speed.

Generally, the chute should be fully inflated by the height of around 2,500 ft.
In fact it is part of the law that skydivers should jump with two chutes. One
would be the main chute and the other would be the reserve, just in case the
main parachute would fail.

Once your parachute is in its full inflation, you now have the ability to
control your speed and direction using your chute's steering lines. With that,
technical manoeuvres could be executed by experienced skydivers giving them the
ability to land with great accuracy. In fact, there are even some competitions
held on being able to land in a specific spot with the most precision and style.

Other than bundling yourself out of the plane, opening a parachute and floating
your way down to Earth, skydiving also have some specialization areas, and here
are some of them.

Formation Skydiving: Creating Art While You Fall

During the freefall period of the jump, some experienced skydivers would
combine to create and hold different formations before they breaking off and
open up their parachutes and float down to earth as normal skydiving does. In
fact, the world record for this kind of skydiving is actually a 400 man dive.
The formation was maintained for 4.25 seconds from the altitude of 25,000 ft.
in Udon Thai, Thailand.

Freestyle Skydiving: A Solo Performance

This kind of diving can be a very entertaining one. It is where the skydiver
would perform some acrobatic manoeuvres and stunts, such as rolls, tumbles and
graceful formations by himself throughout the freefall period and before he
opens his parachute. Freestyle dives would also need the participation of
another skydiver.

The second diver on the other hand would not do any kind of stunts. However, he
would be the one to film his partners' performance through a camera that is
mounted on his helmet. This kind of dive is actually a registered competitive
sport that was declared in 1996 by the FAI.

Free Flying: Do It Your Way

This is considered to be the art of controlling your body and having the
ability to move through different static positions while you are in the
freefall period of your jump, before you open your parachute. If you'll be
doing dives like this, you would have to do some manoeuvres like Sit Flying,
Back Flying, and Head Down. These would allow you to have more control on your
speed and trajectory. You also have to do some exit rolls or tumbles at the end
of your freefall stage so that you can safely deploy your parachute by the time
you reach the right altitude.

"If I Went Sky Diving"

If I went sky diving, where would I like to go? Wait, if I went sky diving,
first I'd need to go for sky diving lessons. I do not have the foggiest idea
about parachutes, harnesses or altimeters. Should I start with tandem sky
diving or should I attempt accelerated freefalling? Perhaps I should begin in a
sky diving simulator. All of these terms are popping up at me but I haven't a
clue. Yes, if I went sky diving, I'd certainly need some very basic
instruction. I would probably register with a sky diving center where I am
guaranteed to receive instruction from experienced and certified individuals. I
would also be taught about the appropriate gear needed for my jump, and in stead
of running out and buying all new equipment I could rent the items I needed.

After learning the basics of sky diving; prepared and eager, if I went sky
diving I think I would start in Italy. Because sky diving is such a popular
sport, there are dropzones all over the world. I'd like to find one in Italy
where I could jump out of an aircraft into a beautiful picturesque location.
I've always wanted to go to Italy so this would be the perfect opportunity to
see visit the area and practice my skills, if I went sky diving.

From what I've learned, if I went sky diving, I'd definitely start with the
tandem jump. Because this method is said to be easy and quite safe, I'd try
this first. I know I'd be harnessed to a master sky diver and makes me feel
much better. If I went sky diving, I'd skip the accelerated freefall, that's
too advanced for me. I'd stick with the large parachute and take a tandem sky
dive.

If I went sky diving, I'd like a friend to go with me. An experience like this
might only come once in my lifetime. I'd like to share it with someone special.
If I went sky diving, perhaps my husband or my sister could jump with me.
Freefalling from 15000 feet with a friendly face a short distance away, would
be comforting. Realizing someone special would forever share this memory with
me, would make the adventure awesome, if I went sky diving.

If I went sky diving, I'd get on the Internet and search every possible website
for sky diving information. I'd look for material related to sky diving
locations, equipment, techniques, requirements, anything the Internet would
provide. If I went sky diving, I'd definitely want to be well informed
regarding what to expect once I arrived at the dropzone. I'd need to know what
was provided at the dropzone in the way of food and lodging. There is so much
important information I would require if I went sky diving. I'd get my hands on
sky diving books and magazines. I would log on to a sky diving message board and
probably ask questions. If I went sky diving, it would certainly be a big deal.

Skydiving 101: The Truth About Parachutes

Skydiving is considered to be a very extreme sport, yet a lot of people
nowadays are becoming very inclined to it. As time passes, more daredevils come
into being and get hooked on this breathtaking sport.

However, due to the danger coupled with this sport, a lot of people that have
not tried it may have some misconceptions about it. This is very much true
especially regarding the issue of malfunction in the activity. To serve as a
guide to those who want to try out this sport, yet are having doubts of doing
so, here is an overview about parachutes and malfunction issues.

"All Hope Is Lost For You"

This is probably the myth that a lot of people are scared of happening and is
the one that hampers them from trying out the sport. For most people who
haven't tried out this sport, they would likely think that once their parachute
would fail to open or inflate, then are in big trouble and somewhat feel that
they are at the moment screwed beyond no doubt.

If you're in mid-air 25,000 ft high, falling with the pull of gravity, feeling
the wind rush on your face and something like this happens, you would
definitely be scared to death. However, it is important that you understand the
basic principles of a parachute first, before you even go have anxiety attacks.

Chutes Are Made To Save You

The truth is parachutes do want to open; since they are specifically designed
to open. These are made to save you and assist you with your descent; and most
likely your chute would perform its function and fulfil its purpose. In fact,
all skydiving rigs have two parachutes. This is the standard and is actually
stated by the law.

Proper care and safety measures are done when parachutes are packed. Basically,
the main chute could be packed up by anybody who knows how. However, for the
second chute, also known as the reserve chute, it could only be packed up by a
certified F.F.A. rigger who has undergone extensive training about the subject.

Malfunction Issues

Additionally, malfunctions on the primary chute are not that common, unlike what
most people think. It also does not mean that you're screwed, dead or whatever
fatal ending you may think about. As a matter of fact, a lot of those malfunctions
are actually minor ones and are very simple to correct even if you're in mid-air.
As a safety measure, if ever your primary chute's malfunction can not be corrected
you can simply release the primary one, so that you can open the reserve parachute
that you have got.

Lastly, if ever a malfunction occurs, you would not feel so extensively screwed
since before you are even set for a jump, you would have to undergo special
training. So basically, you would already know what to do, even before you take
a jump.

In realty, skydiving is a really fun sport to engage in. Sadly, a lot of people
are still scared of trying it out due to a lot of factors. For instance, media
can be one of the causes of such fears; this is especially true with some
movies that show malfunctions happening during a dive. However, if you're
affected by things like this, you should keep in mind that these are only
movies. There's a lot more to skydiving than parachute malfunctions and you'll
never get to experience them unless you get the courage to take that great leap
of faith off an airplane!

Skydiving Equipment: Knowing Your Jumpsuit

Appropriate equipment is vital if you want to try or even pursue the sport of
skydiving. Your jumpsuit is considered to be one of the most important
equipments that you'll need to take a dive. If you're new to the sport, you
should learn some certain jumpsuit essentials first before you go off on a
jumpsuit shopping spree. Here are some of the things you should consider when
buying a jumpsuit.

To Get A New One Or Not? To get a new equipment or a used one is actually more
of a financial choice rather than something to be done out of fear or a want to
impress. This doesn't only apply for jumpsuits but other equipments as well. If
money would not be a problem for you, then obtaining all these toys would be an
exciting game for you.

However, if like most people, your finances took a big bite from finishing your
recent skydiving course, then your mortgage is already due yet your salary is
still 2 weeks away, then you'd probably have to deliberate on buying equipment
based on your budget.

To think of it, there is no point when you have all brand new gadgets but have
no money to pay for the jump itself. There's nothing wrong in purchasing used
gear or even a mix of old and new. In fact it can be a good way to save up for
this new obsession of yours!

Something About Jumpsuits

Having a well fitted jumpsuit, that is customized for your fall rate
requirements and the type of skydiving jump you'll be doing is valued in gold,
and is most likely your shopping lists' best value for money item. Initially,
you may think that the price is very expensive just for a clothing item.
Nevertheless, for sure you'd appreciate its value in terms of its excellent
materials, durability, and workmanship.

What's So Special About Jumpsuits?

Generally, formation skydiving jumpsuits are custom made starting from
materials used up to its measurements. The industry's best manufacturers would
usually sponsor a top team that provide them research and development
feedbacks. The suits made are regularly updated and modified from the
recommendations that are based on numerous tunnel hours and thousands of jumps.
Those suits that you should avoid are the ones that are cheap copycats of the
originals in which their manufacturers do not even know how to jump.

First Suit Tips

It is highly recommended that you buy your 1st suit from a dealer, instead of
measuring yourself. Generally, dealers would provide you excellent advice about
the suit type, which is most appropriate for your fall rate and skydiving
requirements. Additionally, they would take expert measurements. Plus, they
would also consider what you'd be wearing underneath your jumpsuit to make your
suit a much tailored one.

Dealers also show you colour fabric swatches coming from various manufacturers
and would assist you in picking out your jumpsuit options. If ever you have any
alterations, it would be in their expense. In general, suits would take 8 weeks
to be done, unless if you want a rush order. Factors like time of the year also
matter on how long your suit would finish.

However, if you do want to take measurements by yourself or ask your friend to
do it, it's important to take note the weight vests and warmwear you'll be
wearing.

Skydiving Accessories And Gadgets

Other than weights and jumpsuits, there are other gadgets that you may need for
you jump. Here are some of them.

Altitude Devices

Altimeters are one of the obligatory pieces that you would use for skydiving.
You may be surprised with the vast variety of choices. However, it is recommend
that you use one that's easy to read and can give you outstanding after-sales
services. In fact there are ones that even give free lifetime warranty for your
device. Such kind of service is especially useful if ever you drop your device
on the creeper pad.

Audibles

Even though these are not strictly compulsory, you might enjoy the extra
security and benefits of wearing one. Although you do not really have to rely
on it, getting an extra altitude warning would be very useful. These are very
useful if you're doing various disciplines like: freefly, flat-fly, and
breaking off high. This is because your freefall time would vary from one dive
to another.

If you want to go freeflying, most coaches wouldn't let you jump if you don't
have an audible, since they're such a helpful safety precaution, especially if
you're learning how to fly with higher speeds.

Choices would vary from the basic models or the top of the line, which would
also act like a log book, measuring your freefall time and speed, and could be
connected to a computer to get more statistics. Basically, the more the
functions, the higher the price would be.

Helmets

This is yet another mandatory piece. If you'll be buying one, you should
consider bother safety and comfort. You should try on as much as you can so
you'd find the perfect fit. If you want extra protection, wearing a full-face
would be your right pick. It also gives added security if you're wearing
contact lenses.

However, open-faced helmets can allow you easier communication, since you're
able to see the whole face of the person. Nevertheless, they don't protect your
mouth and jaw. You would have to get another pair of goggles for this one.

There are also leather frappe hats. Although they do meet the mandatory
requirements of wearing a helmet, these can provide you little protection only
from injuries. If you're an experienced diver, these can be an acceptable
choice.

Gloves

These are exceptionally useful as protection for your hands. Wearing a pair can
protect you from scrapes, line burns, mishaps, and the cold weather. To know if
a pair is good for skydiving, they must be appropriately thick to protect you
from the cold, while thin enough that you can still feel your handles. To
ensure that gloves are suitable for skydiving, you should buy from a skydiving
store instead of a general sports shop.

Hook Knives

Hook knives are also important when you're jumping. This is another safety
measure, just in case you'll be having a line-over malfunction with your
reserve chute. There are various types of hook knives and they all do work. In
choosing one, you should get a piece that you particularly like yet can still
conveniently fit in your rig. Placing a hook knife on your chest strap is not
really a good idea, since it can be easy to lose. Your leg strap is the more
preferred choice. To keep your knife sharp, try not to use it for other tasks.

Skydiving Myths Revealed

People who have not tried skydiving have a lot of misconceptions or "myths"
about the sport. Sad to say a lot of people are misled by these myths and tend
to have wrong perceptions about the sport. Here are some of the most common
skydiving myths that buzz around and the true explanations to them.

Friends And Secret Signals

Most people think that if you would be skydiving with your friends, you should
have a "secret signal" with your buddy to tell that your parachute failed to
open. And when this happens, you would make your way towards them and give your
buddy a bear hug or hook yourself to their parachute pack thingy and then
afterwards the chute would inflate just in time to save the both of you.

If this myth were true, most probably both of you would have broken arms by the
end of the dive; which you would think is way better than hitting the ground in
terminal velocity. Additionally, there is no known hand signal for 'my chute
failed, please let me hug you' kind of stunt.

If you were to skydive in a group, it is a protocol that before any of you
would pull their parachute, you should be a hundred and one percent sure that
your air space is clear. This is done so that you wouldn't be entangled with
any of your group mates once all of you pull out your chutes. Collision is also
another thing to watch out for.

Secondly, that 'parachute pack thing' is actually called a 'rig', as to no
skydiver would refer to it in that way.

The Ultimate Myth: Death

Of all the myths of skydiving, this one would be the truest, especially if you
are falling at terminal velocity and suddenly you are face to face with the
ground even before your parachute has slowed down your descend, then you'll
probably die. Well of course this myth would only happen if you let it. This is
exactly why you have to commence a pull sequence, then deploy your main chute
and make sure that it's working properly so that you can give yourself the
chance to cutaway and get your reserve.

The Going Solo Myth

Another one would be if you're for some impious reason, making a dive by
yourself, then your last resort of surviving would be to land with as much
surface area that you can get and the type of surface you'll be landing on.

First off, you should know that it is extremely common to have a license and
skydive alone. A lot of skydivers do this. In fact, if you get a license you
can do this, especially if you want to see the beauty and sacredness of
watching the sunset as you freefall all by yourself.

Second if ever both of your chutes fail to inflate, there is no choice but to
fight for your life even if blood would fill your goggles. You can not rely on
your buddies nor your surface area.

You can't really rely on landing in water, since this is something that you
wouldn't really want, because it's just the same as landing on cement. However,
if you can, try landing on something soft and steep like a mountain side with
some snow.

Would You Like to Take Sky Diving Lessons?

There are plenty of people who consider sky diving but never take the plunge.
There's good news for these people, there are sky diving lessons available.
These lessons are not only available for beginner sky divers but for
individuals at different stages of the sport. There are many techniques to
learn in terms of sky diving.

One of the methods taught in sky diving lessons is accelerated freefall. This
method is taught by a sky diving instructor. It is also the fastest method to
learn to become a qualified sky diver. In accelerated freefall sky diving
lessons, jumps are usually taken from 15000 feet. This method has benefits as
well such as time to practice techniques because the sky diver is freefalling
for a long period of time. Another advantage is throughout the accelerated
freefall sky diving lessons is the instructor is able to teach the student
using hand signals. Taking sky diving lessons in accelerated freefall requires
a seven step program. These stages take the student from learning stable body
position and parachute activation while being harnessed to two instructors to,
backloops and 180 degree turns with one instructor. Taking sky diving lessons
is the best route to take if interested in this activity.

Sky diving lessons will teach an individual four basic skills which include
safety, freefall techniques, parachute procedures and landing. The first
freefall skill a person will usually learn in sky diving lessons is learning
how to maintain a stable belly to earth position. For proper parachute
operation, this skill is imperative. From here the student will continue to
learn other skills used for freefall from their sky diving lessons.

Parachute operation and proper landing is taught in sky diving lessons. It is
essential to learn exactly when the parachute is to be deployed. Sky diving
lessons teaches people from what heights their parachute should be deployed in
order to gain control before landing. There are different techniques taught for
landing in sky diving lessons. However one of the main things a sky diver will
learn is that landing shouldn't cause any discomfort.

There are plenty of skills and techniques a person can learn from sky diving
lessons. If an individual is interested in sky diving competitions, there are
plenty of advanced skills to learn and practice. Pond swooping and swoop chug
are examples of two competitive sky diving techniques. For the sky diving
dummy, these terms are foreign but for people who sky dive regularly, they
certainly have heard of these techniques.

Sky diving lessons are offered at many sky diving locations. If you are
interested in learning how to sky dive, the Internet can put you in touch with
many places to sign up for sky diving lessons. Visiting any of the sky diving
related sites ought to direct you to sky diving lessons. You can visit sites
such as www.Ask.com or www.About.com to ask questions about the sport, as well
as how and where to enroll in sky diving lessons.

What Sky Diving Equipment is Required?

When taking part in a sport such as sky diving, it is imperative to have the
proper sky diving equipment. The thought of jumping out of a plan is scary but
to be shot out of a plane without the proper equipment is asking for trouble.
If serious about sky diving, a person must be willing to pay serious cash for
sky diving equipment. To insure they are totally fitted with up-to-date sky
diving equipment, a person can expect to pay $10000 for sure. With this cost in
mind, an individual must really enjoy the sport of sky diving.

Obviously the most important item regarding sky diving equipment is the
parachute. This is one piece of equipment a person would definitely want to be
working properly. There are several types of parachutes, made of different
materials. Parachutes are a combination of light-weight materials, support
tapes and suspension lines. These suspension lines are normally threaded
through loops made of clothe or connector links made of metal. The loops or
links are located at the ends of the risers which are the strong straps that
are attached to the harness. Beginners in the sport of sky diving usually start
with larger parachutes. This piece of sky diving equipment is essential and
should be compared to the individual's body weight. It is a good idea to try
out several types of parachutes to learn which one is best suited and most
comfortable for sky diving before buying a new one. As a person learns the
skill of sky diving and becomes more at ease with the techniques, they usually
begin using smaller and faster parachutes. Of course getting to this point may
take quite awhile depending on the amount of time spent practicing sky diving.
When a sky diver is really active in the sport, over the course of a few years,
he/she may replace the canopy on their parachute several times.

Besides the parachute there are other important pieces of sky diving equipment
including the harness or container and peripheral equipment. These pieces are
equally as essential as the parachute. However, a sky diver can use their first
harness and peripheral equipment for many years. It is imperative to make sure a
sky diver's harness fits appropriately. This is not something a person would
want to be too loose or sloppy. After all the harness keeps the sky diver
anchored to the parachute. The individual can also expect to pay a nice chunk
of change for these pieces or sky diving equipment.

For sky diving, an individual needs to be certain their sky diving equipment is
safe and secure. Many people, especially starting out, buy used sky diving
equipment. It is imperative to have any equipment used for this sport to be
examined by a qualified parachute rigger. To find information about new or used
sky diving equipment, a person can use the Internet. There are many websites
related to sky diving and some include message boards. This would be an
excellent place to buy or sell sky diving equipment.

Skydiving Schools: Where to Learn the Basics

If you have never been skydiving before and are looking for some fun and
excitement, you are going to need to go through some type of training first. As
tempting as it may be to board your own private plane and jump out of it, you
need to understand the concepts and receive extensive training in the thrill of
skydiving. There are many excellent locations to receive your skydiving
training, both local and abroad.

One of the most famous skydiving schools is the Jim Wallace Skydiving School
located in California. Instructors from this school have been featured in
several movies and television shows, including Navy Seals, Air Force Once, JAG,
and The Golden Girls. This school specializes in accelerated freefall jumps and
tandem jumps and teaches the students to how to execute their very first jump
or perfect their skills if they've jumped before. This school tends to fill up
very quickly and therefore reservations are required. For more information,
visit their website at www.jimwallaceskydiving.com.

Another great school for skydiving instruction is the Alabama Skydive Center in
Pell City, Alabama. This school provides instruction on tandem and AFF jumps as
well as wonderful amenities for camping and recreation. Like most skydiving
facilities, this school operates depending on the weather and you should call
in advance to check on the forecast for the time you wish to attend. Right
across the state line in Georgia is Skydive Atlanta located in Thomaston,
Georgia. This facility also offers valuable training in tandem skydive in less
than 30 minutes. Skydive Atlanta is the longest running skydive facility in
Georgia and uses the same tandem equipment systems currently in use by the U.S.
military. This facility boasts the largest and most open landing area in the
entire state of Georgia. Also, you can watch your tandem skydiving experience
on a big screen TV located on-site, as well as enjoy a discount meal at the
Cutaway Cafe located right along the runway.

You can view the ocean from thousands of miles in the air by attending
skydiving school in Zephyrhills, Florida. Skydive City offers some amazing
deals on tandem skydiving, with packages starting at just $184. The tandem jump
training at this facility is done in about 20 minutes with a jump concluding the
training. Typically, a tandem jump with training takes about two to three hours.
You can also enjoy great camping and other amenities at Skydive City. The
facility provides 14 acres of camping and RV areas complete with an on-site
restaurant, Sunset Bar, a full service laundry facility and hot showers. Make
it a family adventure by planning your tandem jump and camping experience at
Skydive City!

A simple search of the internet will provide you with a full list of skydiving
schools and rates. With so many locations across the country and abroad, you
are sure to find a school that fits your needs. So go ahead and live out your
dream of skydiving today, while you still have a chance!

Skydiving Photography Considerations

Being a skydiving photographer is just as extreme as being a skydiver. So if
you plan on becoming one, there are some considerations that you might want to
deliberate on first before you go out and buy your camera. Here are some of
them.

The Price Of Art

Getting to fly a camera is just as fun as skydiving gets. However, it could
also make your fun into a frustrating and expensive affair in a great hurry,
and can eat out your valuable jump money much faster. Why is it expensive?
Well, first off, you still do pay for your jumps even if you have a camera.
Well, you do, but maybe for about your first 50-100 jumps with the gadget on.
Your proficiency on using the equipments and techniques would have to improve
first so that time would come that somebody would see it's worth it to pay for
your slot. Take note that it's your skill with the art that should improve and
not your flying skills.

This is just one reason that you should make sure that your precious money
spent on the camera equipments would not be wasted because of inexperience.

For What Purpose?

First off, just like with other major purchases, you should have an idea on
what exactly you want to do with your equipment. One camcorder can be useful
for AFF, tandems, freeflying and 4-way; however, if you don't know which model
and brand you should get, you'll probably end up with equipment that don't
exactly function the way you want it to.

Get A Master!

If you're new to this stuff, it would be best that you find a mentor. Try your
best to find an experienced camera flyer to ask input from them. Also try to
ask how they started in the field, what equipment they got and why. You can
also ask them about expensive and hard lessons that they've learned through
experience, as for sure any camera flyer that has adequate experience has at
least one eye-opening story in store for you.

Shopping Galore

Apparently, once you're done with your homework, then it is time to go
shopping. Nowadays, there are a lot of options and choices available for you
that sometimes it's overwhelming just to know who you should trust and know
exactly where to go. Should you buy through mail or locally? Should you avail
of the extended warranty they are selling you? Should you get extra batteries?
How about getting a wide-angle lens?

There are more choices to make that you're probably clueless with, which is
just one of the many times that you'd really benefit from having a mentor.

Safety First

For newbies or want-to-be camera flyers, taking precaution in buying your
equipment is the right way to do it. You should always make sure that what you
buy would really provide you what you need.

For example, if you are planning to shoot a freefly revolution and have some
awesome head-down footages, then getting a large 3-chip camcorder would
probably not be the right choice. However, if you're planning on challenging
one of the top-of-the-line freefall photographers for the "Top Dog" title, then
you may want to get the most feature-heavy and powerful camera available in the
market.

Basic Requirements

Obviously, if you want to be a camera flyer, you would have to meet some basic
requirements, such as being able to skydive. At least having basic training and
a bit of experience would do. Of course learning how to operate the gadgets and
some of the techniques are important too, but these can all be learned within
the whole process.

Information on Skydiving; The Best Rates and Places

If you are considering skydiving, chances are you need to act quickly before
you change your mind. There is no greater thrill in the world than experiencing
falling through the wind at 120 mph, and it is an experience you are sure to
never forget. With so many websites and information on the internet about
skydiving, it can be confusing trying to understand where to go for your daring
experience. Luckily, there are websites to visit directly to book your skydiving
adventure.

One of the very first things to consider is location. If you are already
planning a vacation and wish to skydive while you are there, then look up
information on your destination. Unfortunately, not all places will have
skydiving facilities. However, you may luck out and find one close to your
destination, though you may have to drive a little distance. But, if you are
planning a trip based around your skydiving, then you have the freedom to go
just about anywhere. There are skydiving facilities all over the United States
and abroad, but there are some factors to take into consideration before
choosing a location.

First of all, only you are familiar with your health and any conditions you may
have. Research skydiving requirements at the destination of your choice, as
these regulations tend to vary by facility. Skydiving requires the participant
to be in very good health with no major problems or disabling conditions.
Universal restrictions include heart or lung conditions, high blood pressure,
diabetes, and certain neurological disorders such as seizures or epilepsy.
However, a visit with your doctor prior to your arrival will provide you with
more accurate information regarding your specific case, and your doctor can
advise you if skydiving is permissible. Also, be sure to call the facility
prior to your arrival and ask about health requirements.

Another thing to consider when looking for skydiving information is price.
Check out rates of one facility verses another. If one is cheaper, find out
why. Ask questions about the equipment used, training time, etc. Sometimes
cheaper is not always better, especially when it comes to placing your life in
the hands of your instructor. However, take advantage of seasonal rates and
discounts. Several facilities will offer discount packages as the seasons
change, with the most expensive season typically being summer.

An excellent place to locate the perfect skydiving facility is www.dropzone.com. 
This websites is packed full of skydiving information, with everything from 
equipment explanations to a list of skydiving facilities in the United States 
and abroad. Simply enter your own address to find the nearest skydiving 
adventure, or choose any region listed and find a facility as far as Asia or 
Africa. You can also check out the weather for your skydiving experience and be 
prepared in advance for any unfavorable conditions. You can enter other 
information such as if you wish to jump alone or tandem, questions about any 
equipment, or you can participate in the skydiving forums and chat with other 
experienced jumpers. Now that you know where to look, start planning your 
skydiving adventure!

Skydiving Dropzones: Where to Find the Very Best Ones in the U.S.

If you are considering skydiving, chances are you need to act quickly before
you change your mind. There is no greater thrill in the world than experiencing
falling through the wind at 120 mph, and it is an experience you are sure to
never forget. One of the most important factors when considering skydiving is
dropzone location. Simply put, this refers to the skydiving facility. While
finding the best drop zone takes time and research, here are a few of the best
facilities you'll find anywhere in the world.

There are 275 drop zone locations in the United States, with at least a couple
to choose from in nearly every state. Ohio has some of the best facilities with
their drop zones located near open countryside. There are 11 total drop zones in
Ohio and each one offers instruction in tandem skydiving. Florida boasts 16
skydiving drop zones with Florida Skydiving Center at Lake Wales ranking in the
top place. This drop zone offers instruction in tandem and accelerated freefall
jumps along with exceptional camping and recreation facilities. Another
highly-ranked drop zone in Florida is Skydive City located in Zephyrhills,
Florida. Skydive City offers some amazing deals on tandem skydiving, with
packages starting at just $184. The tandem jump training at this facility is
done in about 20 minutes with a jump concluding the training. For the ultimate
beach skydiving experience, look into a drop zone located in Hawaii. There are
two located in this island state and both offer incredible deals if purchased
as part of a vacation package.

A great drop zone in Georgia is Skydive Atlanta located in Thomaston, Georgia.
This facility also offers valuable training in tandem skydive in less than 30
minutes. Skydive Atlanta is the longest running skydive facility in Georgia and
uses the same tandem equipment systems currently in use by the U.S. military.
This facility boasts the largest and most open landing area in the entire state
of Georgia. Also, you can watch your tandem skydiving experience on a big screen
TV located on-site, as well as enjoy a discount meal at the Cutaway Cafe located
right along the runway.

An excellent place to locate the perfect skydiving facility is
www.dropzone.com. This websites is packed full of skydiving information, with
everything from equipment explanations to a list of skydiving facilities in the
United States and abroad. Simply enter your own address to find the nearest
skydiving adventure, or choose any region listed and find a facility as far as
Asia or Africa. You can also check out the weather for your skydiving
experience and be prepared in advance for any unfavorable conditions. You can
enter other information such as if you wish to jump alone or tandem, questions
about any equipment, or you can participate in the skydiving forums and chat
with other experienced jumpers. Now that you know where to look, start planning
your skydiving adventure!

Where to go Sky Diving in Southern California

For people who enjoy the sport of sky diving, they are likely familiar with the
many areas for sky diving in Southern California. This appears to be a very
popular location for sky diving fanatics. Then again, if given the chance to
sky dive anywhere, why wouldn't people want to do so in sunny Southern
California? This state provides excellent conditions for sky diving, and plenty
to when not taking part in this exciting sport.

The Internet is a great place to find information about sky diving in Southern
California. In searching the individual will find details about the location,
directions, lodging, equipment rentals, nearby attractions and all sorts of
information about the surrounding area. These sites also provide details about
the types of sky diving they offer, as well as they aircrafts they use. Many of
these locations for sky diving in Southern California offer specials for weekend
getaways. They also offer people an opportunity to buy gift certificates that
could be given to a sky diving enthusiast for their birthday, a gradation or
any for any other special occasion.

Many sites related to sky diving in Southern California provides a list of
various locations where individuals can go to jump into this thrilling
activity. Adrenaline Air Skydiving is one example of a great sky diving
business. Located in Santa Rosa, it offers the visitor an opportunity to view
beautiful scenery and the sky diver a view of the Sanoma Valley which boasts of
many rolling hills and a large amount of vineyards. With the Pacific Ocean and
the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background, this is a perfect place to go
sky diving in Southern California.

There are many beautiful places to go sky diving in Southern California. Some
other great locations are Bay Area Skydiving in Byron, Perris Valley Skydiving,
Skydive Elsinore, Skydive Santa Barbara, Skydive Monterey Bay and Skydive San
Francisco. These are a few of the excellent locations for skydiving in Southern
California a person will discover when researching. Each of these businesses or
locations offers people various onsite services and details about the
surrounding area regarding sites, attractions and lodging. If researching on
the Internet, these places will definitely pop up. By visiting their individual
websites, a person can learn more about the specific location including what is
offered in a sky diving package.

Sky diving is no doubt a thrilling activity for all those who participate. The
idea of jumping from an aircraft, from thousands of miles in the air does not
interest everyone but there are many people who live to sky dive. There are
many locations for sky diving worldwide and it seems that sky diving in
Southern California is one people's favorite places. If you are an avid sky
diver and have been wondering about sky diving in Southern California, log onto
the Internet. Using Google or Yahoo you'll be able to find all the material you
need regarding sky diving in Southern California.

Where to Find a Sky Diving Center

For people who are active sky divers, no doubt they like exploring new areas
and dropzones. Fortunately there are sky diving centers worldwide. These are
great getaway destinations for sky diving lovers. A sky diving center is
usually equipped to meet the needs of visiting sky divers. A sky dive center
provides such things as onsite accommodations, a restaurant/bar, cafe/snack
bar, a sky diving shop, showers, parking, multilingual staff and many other
conveniences. If deciding, out of the blue to go sky diving in Italy, a person
or people could make reservations at a sky diving center realizing they'll be
well looked after. Sky diving centers can also arrange for a person's pick-up
at the airport. How much better can life be for the enthusiastic sky diver?

A sky diving center has it all. It is equipped to meet the personal needs of
visitors such as food and lodging. A sky diving center is also decked out with
regards to sky diving. It's a sky diver's paradise. With up-to-date equipment
and the best aircrafts, a sky diving center is well-prepared for either one sky
diver or a group. Because sky diving is a popular sport and many people visit
sky diving centers, they are also able to offer customers deals and discounts
on sky diving packages. Not only are people getting to jump in some beautiful
places, they get to do it great rates.

For people who aren't familiar with sky diving, researching this sport on the
Internet can make a person see just how popular this sky diving is throughout
the world. For many it's probably difficult to understand why people would fly
half way around the world to jump out of a plane. For a sky diving lover, they
probably can't understand why everyone wouldn't want to jump. No matter if you
are curious about sky diving or searching for a sky diving center, the Internet
is a great data base. The Internet hosts many sites which are dedicated to sky
diving. If visiting the site http://www.skydiveworldwide.com , people will soon
see just how much sky diving is appreciated throughout the world. With sky
diving centers in Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Indonesia,
Italy, South Africa and many others, it is easy to see that there are thousands
of active sky divers in the world today. Having these opportunities to sky dive
all over the world would certainly make the sport more interesting.

Is sky diving something you've considered? Have you always dreamt of taking
that one freefall from thousands of feet in the air? Visiting a sky diving
center can help you make this dream come true. With lessons and hands on
instruction by certified individuals, a sky diving center may be the best place
to take your first jump. Who knows, perhaps that first jump, with the thrill and
adrenaline rush, may turn into an addicti on. After taking that initial leap,
realizing how exciting it is, you may be searching for similar sky diving
centers to visit and practice your newfound hobby.

How Does Simulated Sky Diving Work?

Simulated sky diving is an excellent way to try out this adventurous sport
without actually having to jump out of an airplane. In simulated sky diving is
a man-made setup, inside a building that's created to be similar to the actual
sky diving experience. Wind tunnels are constructed which create winds
resembling those a sky diver would jump in realistically.

A building which houses a sky diving simulator is five or six stories high. It
would need to be to provide enough height for a simulated sky diving jump.
Before entering a simulator, individuals are instructed as to what will take
place regarding the wind, their speed, all things related to sky diving. The
importance of body positioning is explained as well. When the guidelines and
instructions have been laid out and all questions are answered, it's off to get
geared up. Individuals wear jumpsuits and goggles, a helmet, shoulder pads and
knee pads. However, they won't need a parachute for simulated sky diving.

Once all dressed, it's off to the simulator. The simulator's walls will likely
be made from glass. This is great since it allows people to watch others doing
their simulated sky dive. This is good for people who are skeptical about the
idea of simulated sky diving. It gives them a first-hand look at what it's all
about. Of course they can only see a person diving. They can't actually feel
what the experience is actually like. And with those 120 km/hr winds, it can
sure seem realistic. These simulated sky diving adventures normally last about
one minute and the individual is guided by a trainer.

Simulated sky diving is something that the entire family can take part in
(minus toddlers of course). There are some restrictions regarding weight. If a
person has health concerns, perhaps they should discuss using a sky diving
simulator with their physician and also relate their health matters to those in
charge of the simulated sky diving. It's probably not a great place to find
yourself if prone to panic attacks.

Where would someone find simulated sky diving? There are sky diving simulators
in the US. To find out where they're located and anything else you'd like to
know, the Internet is a great resource. The Internet is world's best yellow
pages. Anything you want or need to know can be found on the worldwide web.
There are many websites which deal with sky diving, both actual parachute ski
diving as well as simulated sky diving. If this is something you've dreamt of
doing or have been considering, why not take advantage of the simulated sky
diving. The Internet provides many searching options including search engines
such as Google and Yahoo. It also offers beneficial sites such as www.Ask.com
and www.About.com where you can go to ask questions about subjects such as
simulated sky diving. There's no excuse for an inability to locate a sky diving
simulator. The Internet is equipped to put you in touch, within minutes, of the
ultimate sky diving experience.

All About Parachute Sky Diving

Parachute sky diving is a popular sport's activity which is enjoyed by
thousands of people worldwide. Being capable of viewing the beauty of nature
from so high up must certainly be a tremendous experience. However, parachute
sky diving is not as easy as one day deciding to jump from a plane. No,
parachute sky diving requires plenty of planning. All equipment must be tested
to ensure there aren't any defects. At thousands of feet in the air, nobody
wants to suddenly learn their parachute is damaged or defective. Every sky
diver packs two parachutes, one main parachute intended for deployment and a
second one as a back-up. Both parachute systems are carried on the sky diver's
back. Packing for parachute sky diving is extremely important and requires
close attention.

Planning for parachute sky diving involves the jumpers and the pilot of the
aircraft. The exit plans must be coordinated properly. Before actually getting
into the aircraft, the sky divers practice their skills and techniques. They
also make plans regarding the order for jumping as well as plans for a
successful landing. When the sky divers are ready to enter the aircraft, they
do so in reverse order. Once inside the aircraft the jumpers affix themselves
to the aircraft either by straps connected to the floor or seat design
specifically for jumping.

The parachutes have been properly packed, the plan has been made and the sky
divers are stowed away in the aircraft, what's next? The pilot begins his/her
climb to get to the jumping point. In parachute sky diving, the jumping site is
determined largely by the weather conditions. The pilot and sky divers with
their plan all coordinated approach the jump site. In preparation the sky
divers line up at the door of the aircraft. Sometimes in preparation for short
parachute sky diving, the individuals hold hands which allow them to exit the
aircraft together in hopes of remaining close together during the fall.

Once the aircraft reaches the jumping site, the door is opened and one by one
the sky divers step out and begin free falling. In parachute sky diving, an
average individual falls about 1050ft to 1480ft every five seconds, traveling
at speeds of 190 to 240 km/hr. These sky divers are really moving. Sky divers
also have the option of moving in a horizontal position. In this case they
usually hit speeds up to 80 km/hr. While free falling in parachute sky diving,
the individuals can position their bodies in various ways in order to carry out
different maneuvers. Using body positioning allows a sky diver to control their
speed.

When the sky divers reach around 3.900 ft, it's time for the ski divers to
think about deployment of their parachutes. At this point they set themselves
up in a head-position and signal each other to deploy their parachutes.
Following the appropriate steps the sky divers deploy their parachutes, forming
a canopy. This process only takes from 2 to 5 seconds. This canopy then helps
the people parachute sky diving to land. The canopy slows the parachute down
which can be assisted by the sky diver using two toggles that are gripped above
their heads. Experienced divers will land on their feet when parachute sky
diving.

Indoor Skydiving

Most people think that skydiving can only be done outdoors in the sky. However,
with the development of technology, there is now an indoor rendition of the
sport, which is done through vertical wind tunnels.

What Is A Vertical Wind Tunnel?

Vertical wind tunnels (VWT) are wind tunnels that blows up air in a column.
This is actually a recreational wind tunnel that is most of the time advertised
as "bodyflight" or "indoor skydiving". It's also a training tool that most
skydivers use.

These wind tunnels can give people the ability to fly on air without needing
parachutes or planes, simply by the force of wind that's generated vertically.
The wind inside these tunnels generally moves upward at 120 mph, which is also
a falling human body's terminal velocity, although it can vary from one person
to another.

VWT's are most of the time called 'indoor skydiving' because of its popularity
with skydivers that say the sensation they get is very similar to the real
thing. As the person 'floats' in midair inside the wind tunnel, this is termed
as 'bodyflight'.

Bodyflight

Bodyflight is said to be the art of 'flying your body' but in a controlled
method. Control would include rolls, fall rate control, turns, lateral movement
and some other acrobatic stunts in mid-air. Knowing bodyflight skills help
skydivers go closer to each other while freefalling, so that they can link for
formation skydiving, and then fly away from each other again until they reach a
safe distance so that they can open their parachutes.

A lot of bodyflight skills could be learned and practiced from VWTs. Most
skydivers use this as practice equipment so that they can be better in
controlling their bodies while falling from the sky.

Bodyflight can be done through decreasing/increasing your body drag, by using
your legs and arms as rudders for motion control. Additionally, other
techniques used similar by airplanes are used.

Types Of Vertical Wind Tunnels

Basically, there are 2 main types of VWTs, namely: outdoor and indoor. The
outdoor type can be either portable or stationary. The portable ones are the
types that are often used for movie productions, demonstrations and are usually
rented for big events like state fairs and conventions.

Portable units give a dramatic effect for the spectators and the flying person,
since there are no walls bounding the flight area.
This kind of wind tunnel gives you the opportunity to fly with a partial or
full sky/outdoor view. Some outdoor units can also have nettings around or
walls so as to keep beginners from flying out the tunnel boundaries.

For the indoor types, you also have to sub categories, namely: re-circulating
and non-re-circulating. Non-re-circulating wind tunnels generally suck air via
inlets found in the building's bottom portion. Then the air would go up the
bodyflight area, and exit through the top portion of the building. However, the
re-circulating type would create an aerodynamic loop that has turning vanes,
which are similar to scientific wind tunnels, but has a vertical loop and a
bodyflight chamber inside the vertical portion of the loop.

Re-circulating tunnels are usually used in places where the climate is too cold
for non-re-circulating types. Indoor types usually have a smoother and
controlled airflow than outdoor types. They also have more control on
temperature. Thus, they can be operated year-round in places with cold climate.

All About Skydiving Weights

If you want to go skydiving, having the proper equipment is a must. Although
there are some equipment that are considered to be staples or standards when
diving, there are also those that can be add-ons depending on your body and the
type of jump you'll be doing. One of these extra equipments is called weights.

What Are Weights For?

Physics has a lot to do with skydiving, which is why your weight can affect how
fast or slow gravity can pull you. If it's the case that you're reasonably
light, you would sometimes have to fly at your range's edge in a rather extreme
body position that is very uncomfortable to you just to keep down with your
diving mates.

As a solution to this problem, wearing weights can help you assume a more
versatile and comfortable flying position. However, the kind and amount of
weight can still vary on the diver. They would usually base it on your body
mass and size. Also, factors such as the neutral position you'll use and your
level of experience can play important roles too.

For you to maintain a comfortable neutral while flying in a varied group,
having a good jumpsuit and weights are both very helpful tools. You should also
learn to adjust the amount of lead that you are wearing. Doing so would highly
depend on the type of jumping that you will be doing. All of these are
essential so that you can maintain a comfortable position with that specific
fall rate.

However, you should also take note that 12-14 lbs of lead would cause your
parachute to work as if it is approximately a size smaller. Additionally, you
should be aware that you should have the capability to jettison the weights
easily, if ever you have an accidental incoming water landing. There are
different kinds of weight apparatus, here are some of them.

Weight vest

If you'll be making use of a box position, like the photo right, using a weight
vest would be the best choice. Additionally, this would be your pick if you're
heavier down your hips than your shoulders. Conditions like these are critical
since, if majority of your weight is lower than your center of gravity, you
would have a predisposition to backslide.

Being able to fly neutral would require you compensation, such as executing
bigger legs-out position during your freefall. This can drastically reduce your
capability to move dynamically forward; and ironically, can create more drag. If
you wear a chest weight, your legs could come back to having a 90-degree
position, which would enable you to have a faster fall rate and at the same tie
allowing you to have movement with fuller range.

Even though weight vests are efficient, they also have some limitations. After
an assured point, you may also need to wear weights in the middle of your body.
If this is the case, getting a weight vest that can accommodate upper and lower
weight would be the right choice. It is really uncomfortable if you'll wear
more than 12 lbs of lead in a single vest. This can put a big strain on your
shoulders and neck; thus, weight belts would do the trick.

Weight Belts: Another Alternative

If you have an evenly balanced body, then a weight belt would be perfect. This
is also preferred when doing the mantis position. You can wear it outside your
jumpsuit and is one of the most comfortable ways to wear weights. However, you
should make sure that it won't interfere with your handles, especially if your
torso is short.

Rig weight

This kind of weights can be placed in your rig itself. There are some rigs that
have pockets in which you can put weights. However, the rig size would be the
one to determine the amount of lead you can put.

Experience the Thrill of Adventure Skydiving

Is there really any other greater thrill than skydiving? If you really think
about it, the answer is definitely no. Some people jump at the chance to
skydive, while others break out into a panic attack at the thought of meeting
their fear of heights. Skydiving is something everyone should do if given the
chance, and once you experience it, you will never regret your decision.

Adventure skydiving always starts out as a nice idea, and usually doesn't
develop past that. In fact you may not even realize what you're doing until you
actually step out of that plane and feel yourself fall with the wind. Standing
in the doorway, you feel secure as your feet seem firmly planted on the ground.
The equipment on your back weighs you down and it seems like free falling into
sky isn't something that could realistically happen. Then you lower your
goggles, the instructor gives you the signal to jump, you take a deep breath,
then you jump into a world of heart-racing free-falling adventure and rely on
nothing but your parachute to land you safely on the ground.

Once you start falling at a constant speed (about ten seconds after jumping),
you'll experience a sense of relaxation as you take in all the beautiful colors
circling on the ground beneath you. You could almost reach out and touch the
clouds, and this is probably as close to heaven as you are going to get. You
feel the wind blow through your hair and for a second, you think that there is
no greater experience in the world. You realize that adventure skydiving isn't
so bad -- in fact, you can't wait to do it again!

No matter if you've never stepped in a plane before or you're a pro when it
comes to jumping out of planes, there are locations available all over the
United States for adventure skydiving. You will undergo many hours of extensive
training if you're new to the world of skydiving, and your instructors will
ensure you are absolutely prepared to make the jump before you even take off
into the sky. You will have to receive medical clearance from your doctor, and
those with certain heart and blood pressure conditions, neurological disorders,
or diabetes will not be allowed to skydive. Keep in mind that most skydive
facilities reserve the right to refuse service to anyone if they believe a
medical or mental condition will impair your safety. For those who have braved
the free-falling adventure before, you will have to go through some refresher
courses with a certified instructor prior to your jump.

Nearly every state in the country has an adventure skydiving center, as well as
several foreign countries. Depending on the location, prices for a single jump
range from $15 and up, but often you can receive a significant group discount
if you jump with other people. Most first-time jumps are performed Tandem,
meaning you will jump attached to your instructor and the handling of the
parachute, steering in the wind, and landing are all handled for you.

If you have ever thought about adventure skydiving, then chances are there's no
reason why you can't experience this ultimate thrill. Don't spend your whole
life wishing you would have done it -- instead, show off those pictures of you
flying through the air for years to come!

What is Adventure Center Sky Diving?

Adventure center sky diving should actually read Adventure Center Skydiving.
This is a sky diving company that offers various services such as tandem and
accelerated freefall jump options, onsite sky diving store, as well as video
and still photo opportunities for individual's sky diving experiences.
Adventure Center Skydiving, Inc. has many companies in various locations
offering these services. This company employs instructors who have been rated
highly by USPA. Instructors are well-trained, having years of experience both
jumping and teaching others to jump.

Adventure Center Skydiving is big on safety. They are very concerned about both
the students and experienced sky divers that pass through their doors. The sky
diving equipment used at Adventure Center Skydiving is taken care of by
certified technicians. Both the main parachutes and backup parachutes are
packed by professionals. Adventure Center Skydiving makes a point of insuring
the safety of every sky diver that uses their dropzone.

The Hollister Adventure Center Skydiving boasts of the best aircraft in
Northern California. Again they employ FFA certified technicians to service and
maintain their aircraft. Pilots are also FFA certified, very equipped to take
adventurous sky divers to their jump site at 15000 or 18000 feet. Adventure
Center Skydiving certainly seems to aim for perfection in maintaining and
running their equipment and dropzone.

If wondering where to take sky diving lessons? Adventure Center Skydiving would
certainly be a great choice. With the many qualified instructors, this would be
an awesome place to learn for beginners as well as experienced sky divers. With
their many years of experience, certainly they have skills and techniques to
help make any sky diving adventure the best it can be. Adventure Center
Skydiving offers tandem sky diving which is supposed to be quite easy and very
safe. Adventure Center Skydiving provides 30 minutes of instruction, helps the
individual to suit up and then takes them to 15000 feet for their first tandem
jump. Of course this jump is not a solo jump. The individual is harnessed
securely to one of Adventure Center Skydiving's instructors.

With Adventure Center Skydiving accelerated freefall program, a person must go
through a training process that takes four hours. To take part in this program,
the student must be eighteen years old. This program allows the student sky
diver to wear their own parachute and yes, pull their own ripcord. This
particular jump requires the student to be harnessed to two Adventure Center
Skydiving instructors. This program includes a series of jumps, seven jumps to
help the student work on their skills, learning from the previous stage.

The very idea of sky diving raises many questions and concerns. Adventure
Center Skydiving has a website where they answer many typical sky diving
questions and provide assurance for many concerns. Visiting
http://www.skydiveworldwide.com on the Internet can answer all anyone would
need or desire to know about Adventure Center Skydiving. This site not only
provides details about the Hollister location but many other locations as well.
If you're interested in sky diving, Adventure Center Skydiving might be just
what you need.

Share the Thrill; Consider Tandem Skydiving

For those of us that go beyond thinking about skydiving, the thought has
probably crossed your mind at least once (especially if this is your first
skydive) that you would rather skydiving with someone. No, that doesn't mean
someone else jumps before or after you, but you'd like to be attached to
someone. Preferably, someone who knows what they're doing and has lots of
experience with skydiving. That's exactly why tandem skydiving was created!

Tandem skydiving is a technical term for a student skydiver who jumps with an
experienced instructor. The instructor handles every aspect of the jump, from
exiting the aircraft, handling and guiding the parachute, and landing. The
student does not need extensive instruction and training in order to complete
tandem skydiving. Sometimes the student will be instructed in parachute
deployment, but the instructor remains in control throughout the entire flight
and ensures there are no safety issues.

The equipment used for tandem skydiving differs slightly from the equipments
used in single skydives. First of all, the parachutes are very different.
Tandem jumpers use a drogue parachute. This parachute, when deployed, slows
down the speed of the two jumpers to that of a single jumper. Tandem skydivers
also use larger parachutes of at least 400 square feet, which help support the
weight of two jumpers as opposed to one. Each parachute and equipment piece are
put together in a tandem "system," which each instructor must become certified
in prior to performing a tandem jump.

Rest assured that your instructor is knowledgeable and can handle any emergency
situation. The FAA requires that tandem instructors have at least 500 single
jumps and over three years of skydiving experience before they can qualify to
be a tandem instructor. Tandem instructors will provide you with everything you
need to know prior to making the jump. In about half an hour, they will go over
deploying the parachute, hand signals, and let you know about landing
techniques. While it almost seems too easy and you may even think you haven't
had enough training, that is really all it takes to complete a successful
tandem jump. For the most part, the instructors do all of the work for you.

Be advised that while you are jumping with an expert, it still does not release
you from the health requirements of a single jump. You can be expected to be
held to the same standards, and you will still have to obtain medical
permission in order to complete a tandem jump. The facility is also not
responsible for any emergencies or injuries, even if it is a direct result of
the instructor. You will have to sign a waiver and release form, which states
that in the event of an emergency you or your family members do not have the
right to sue or take any legal action. Then again, you can expect to sign one
of these at any skydive facility, tandem or single. Keep in mind that your
instructor has had extensive training and the event of an emergency is nearly
impossible.

Tandem Skydiving in the United States; Not Just for Experts!

So what exactly does it mean to do a tandem skydive? In Layman's terms, it
means that you no longer have to be an expert in skydiving to jump out of an
airplane. With tandem skydiving, you don't need any experience in order to
experience the thrill of falling through the wind at 120 mph. The instructor
handles every single aspect of the jump, from training, to exiting the
aircraft, to deploying the parachute, to landing. While you will be trained in
jumping techniques and how to land, the instructor handles everything for you.
The training required to complete a tandem jump is minimal, and is an excellent
way to ease your fears of skydiving.

There are many wonderful tandem skydiving facilities all across the United
States. One such facility is AerOhio located in Cleveland. This facility
instructs students on three main jumps; tandem, static line, and accelerated
freefall (AFF). Not only does this facility offer some of the skydiving lessons
around, but you will also find sales and service, air conditioned video and
student classrooms, and free camping complete with hot showers. With jumps
starting at $199 an d amazing discounts offered throughout the year, this is
one of your best bets for tandem skydiving.

Another great location for tandem skydiving is Skydive Atlanta located in
Thomaston, Georgia. This facility also offers valuable training in tandem
skydive in less than 30 minutes. Skydive Atlanta is the longest running skydive
facility in Georgia and uses the same tandem equipment systems currently in use
by the U.S. military. This facility boasts the largest and most open landing
area in the entire state of Georgia. While some facilities require quite a haul
from the instructional area to the aircraft, Skydive Atlanta only has a 20 foot
walk from the classrooms to the airplane. Also, you can watch your tandem
skydiving experience on a big screen TV located on-site, as well as enjoy a
discount meal at the Cutaway Cafe located right along the runway.

You can view the ocean from thousands of miles in the air by skydiving in
Zephyrhills, Florida. Skydive City offers some amazing deals on tandem
skydiving, with packages starting at just $184. The tandem jump training at
this facility is done in about 20 minutes with a jump concluding the training.
Typically, a tandem jump with training takes about two to three hours. You can
also enjoy great camping and other amenities at Skydive City. The facility
provides 14 acres of camping and RV areas complete with an on-site restaurant,
Sunset Bar, a full service laundry facility and hot showers. Make it a family
adventure by planning your tandem jump and camping experience at Skydive City!

There are several other great tandem skydiving facilities all over the country.
You can choose one close to your home if planning a full trip isn't suitable for
you. Many tandem facilities will offer on-site camping or provide you with a
list of surrounding hotels, attractions, and restaurants. With so many places
to choose from, you have no reason not to experience the ultimate thrill of
tandem skydiving.

Tandem Skydiving in Ohio; Find the Best Dropzones!

So what exactly is a tandem skydive? Simply put, it means that you (the
student) perform a skydive jump while attached to a tandem instructor. The
instructor handles every single aspect of the jump, from training, to exiting
the aircraft, to deploying the parachute, to landing. While you will be trained
in jumping techniques and how to land, the instructor handles everything for
you. This method of skydiving is ideal for someone who has no experience with
skydiving or is scared of heights. The training required to complete a tandem
jump is minimal, and is an excellent way to ease your fears of skydiving.

Ohio is famous as being one of the best skydiving states with the most
facilities. One of the best tandem skydive locations is found in Columbus,
Ohio. Skydive Columbus Ohio provides students with one-on-one instruction on
tandem skydiving, and goes over every little detail of the jump. You will learn
how to manage your equipment, how to pull the ripcord, and hand signals used
between you and the instructor during your free-fall. You will go through an
extensive safety course and you will only board the aircraft when you are
confident that you understand the entire process.

Skydive Columbus does not perform tandem jumps year-round. Because of the
weather changes in that area of the United States, the jumps are contingent on
the weather and if the runway is dry enough to safely perform a jump. As you
can imagine, attempting a skydive from a wet runway could be disastrous. Before
planning a trip to this facility, it is recommended that you call in advance and
obtain a current weather schedule. And while the actual jump equipment is
provided for you, it is a good idea to speak with someone at the facility to
ensure there is nothing extra you need to bring depending on the weather.

As with other skydive facilities, Skydive Columbus has its own rate schedule
that can be viewed online or by calling for information. For a complete tandem
jump which includes training and all equipment, you are looking at $219 for a
single person. You can choose to purchase a video of your tandem skydive for an
extra $95. Unfortunately, Skydive Columbus does not offer any group discounts,
but they do offer specific group rates. If you feel comfortable with tandem
skydiving, the facility offers the chance to jump as individual (known as an
accelerated free-fall) after three tandem jumps for $150. The facility offers
various jumps and lessons in order to obtain your skydiving license, but you
should call in advance with those questions and to obtain the rates.

Skydive Columbus offers a safe facility and environment for those wishing to
experience the thrill of tandem skydiving. With top-notch instructors and
detailed training, you are to sure to experience a safe jump and make memories
that will last a lifetime.

What Exactly is Tandem Sky Diving?

For people who aren't knowledgeable about ski diving, to them jumping out of a
plane is done only one way. That is to strap on the parachute, close your eyes
and dive into the unknown. However this is certainly not the case. There are
various sky diving techniques include tandem sky diving. Tandem sky diving is
the technique used by beginners and people who'd simply like to experience the
thrill of sky diving.

Tandem sky diving is easy and very safe. The individual is securely strapped to
an experienced sky diver. This method is used as a teaching method by
instructors who are teaching people to sky dive. Tandem sky diving allows
individuals to freefall at incredibly high speeds, often up to 120mph. This
freefall sky diving technique doesn't required skill but it definitely would
require plenty of nerve. Before the actual dive, the individual is instructed
regarding the actual aircraft exit, pulling the ripcord and the tandem
parachute. The only real requirements are comfortable, appropriate clothes and
shoes. At the tandem sky diving location, a person is given a jumpsuit, goggles
and altimeter. They are also supplied with a harness which is used to secure
them to the experienced sky diver or instructor.

Although there aren't many materialistic requirements for tandem sky diving,
there are a few guidelines concerning age, weight and health. To be able to sky
dive, an individual must be eighteen years old. If a person weighs more than 200
lbs there are restrictions made. Of course it would make sense to be in good
physical health before attempting a tandem sky diving jump. It is recommended
that people taking prescription medications check with their doctor regarding
side effects and tandem sky diving. When visiting any sky diving website on the
Internet or reading material explaining the sport, a person should learn all
they need to know about guidelines and restrictions for tandem sky diving.
Before making plans for a sky diving getaway, it is imperative to make sure you
are good to go.

When a person makes their first jump in tandem sky diving, they'd use a large
parachute. As people become more familiar with the sport and become better at
it, they normally switch to a smaller faster parachute. However, if you are
contemplating sky diving for the first time, you will not require a fast
parachute. The experience will likely be scary enough without having to worry
about freefalling at outrageous speeds. Tandem sky diving, for the first time
anyway, involves two people who are harnessed together. For this reason a
larger parachute might be needed also.

Tandem sky diving sounds like the right jump for those people who've always
dreamt of sky diving. It offers a chance to sky dive with the assurance of
security. There are many locations where tandem sky diving is offered. To learn
more about this sky diving jump, check out one of the many websites on the
Internet regarding sky diving. Using Google or Yahoo, search for tandem sky
diving and you'll be provided with sufficient information.

Getting Married? Consider Saying "I Do" While Freefalling at 120 mph!

Getting married is an adventure all in itself. There is so much to think about
and so many details to cover before the big event. Wher e to hold the ceremony,
the dress, the catering, how many to invite...and sometimes it can be a bit
overwhelming for the bride and groom. Simply put, this is the primary reason
many couples choose to elope and exchange their vows in a private ceremony.
Maybe you are looking for a change or something that hasn't been done by anyone
you know. But if you and your soon-to-be spouse are adventurous and want a
wedding that is sure to be different from the next guy's, then consider
exchanging vows thousands of feet in the air while free-falling at 120 mph.
After all, love's got you feeling like you're floating or head over heels.
Really, what can possibly top an experience like that?

Typically, a skydiving wedding is performed by an airborne preacher aboard the
aircraft prior to jumping. After exchanging vows and sealing it with a kiss,
you will jump together from the aircraft and begin your descent to your life
together. Or, some facilities will allow you to have a ground wedding before
making the plunge, with the landing zone being a gathering place for your
friends and family to see you land together. If you or your spouse have never
been skydiving before, then you will both jump tandem with a certified
instructor. This takes a minimal amount of training and can still fulfill your
dream of an airborne wedding.

There are many locations across the country that will perform your ultimate
adventure wedding. Some of the most popular locations are Las Vegas, San Diego,
Washington D.C, and Cleveland, Ohio. Most facilities will provide you with the
ultimate wedding day experience, complete with pampering for the bride,
wonderful catering, and ceremony activities that friends and family are welcome
to participate in. Most skydiving weddings need to be booked at least six months
in advance and remain dependant on the weather. Also, keep in mind that both you
and your future spouse will need to receive medical clearance in order to
participate in this once-in-a-lifetime thrill. Universal restrictions include
heart and lung disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain
neurological disorders. If either you or your future spouse do not receive full
medical clearance, don't worry. Most facilities will be glad to host your ground
wedding with exciting additions such as skydivers delivering your rings right to
the ceremony or having the preacher jump and land to your wedding. Consider
looking into a package deal which will provide everything needed for a
memorable day as well as your airborne adventure together caught on film.

If you truly believe you are "head over heals" in love, then a skydiving
wedding is definitely the right choice for you. If you can survive jumping out
of an airplane together, then you'll have no trouble surviving any of life's
twists and turns.

Going Skydiving? Don't Forget to Get the T-Shirt!

Although going skydiving is sure to leave you with memories to last a lifetime
(some may be good, some not so good), nothing says "I've been skydiving and
lived to tell about it" like a t-shirt from the skydiving adventure. Sure, you
could take the easy way out and just buy the shirt, and make people think
you've experienced the ultimate thrill of jumping from a plane, but how
shameful is that? If you're going to wear the t-shirt, then you better have one
heck of a great story to back it up. (Other than "I bought it off eBay.")

Skydiving t-shirts come in many different styles and sayings. If you've
completed this fearful yet gratifying experience, then reward yourself by
choosing something bold and even humorous. Avoid the shirts that say, "I went
skydiving and all I got was this t-shirt to prove it." That's boring -- and
frankly, it's a bit unbelievable. It's been done many times before, so do
something different! And if you have survived skydiving, then let everyone know
not just by your t-shirt. Consider buying auto tags, posters, bumper stickers,
or coffee mugs. What a great conversation starter those would be!

A skydiving shop in Georgia called US Airsports Network has many t-shirts that
are absolutely bold and original. You're not likely to find these shirts
anywhere else and they are sure to get people to ask you about your experience.
You will find a wide variety of t-shirts with different slogans, such as "If at
first you don't succeed, skydiving isn't for you," and "Skydiving: Speed Limit
120 mph". Along with t-shirts, you will also find an assortment of skydiving
souvenirs to add to your collection. You'll find mugs, mouse pads, bumper
stickers, and key chains all that have original skydiving slogans and pictures.

Skywatch Gallery in Florida has the best assortment of colorful skydiving
t-shirts. One shirt available has an actual picture of a person skydiving that
says, "Skydiving: The Art of Falling on Your Face Gracefully." This particular
shop has over forty different styles to choose from with prices ranging from
$15 and up. The shop also has original skydiving posters and auto tags
available for sale.

Perhaps you have completed a military course in skydiving. This is referred to
as "Basic Airborne Course" and is offered at Ft. Benning, Georgia. If you've
successfully completed this course, you certainly don't need a t-shirt to tell
about it. Each graduate of this course receives airborne wings to proudly
display on your uniform. But, if you want a t-shirt to advertise your
accomplishment, then you can find a wide variety of t-shirts on base at Ft.
Benning or a search of the internet will provide you with military style
airborne shirts.

No matter how or when you completed your skydiving adventure, it's never too
late to buy a t-shirt to add to your memory of jumping. Most skydiving
facilities will provide you with a free t-shirt at the completion of your jump,
but keep in mind there are always many choices available to commemorate your
unforgettable experience.

The Less Popular Types Of Skydiving

Skydiving has a lot of types. However, there are ones that are commonly known
such as freestyle, formation and freeflying. Although these three
are considered to be the ones that are always done and seen on television or in
media, there are still other types of skydiving that are most likely not known
to many.

If you are new to the sport of skydiving and want to know more about it, then
knowing the less popular types would still be important. Who knows? Maybe
you'll be having a knack for these less popular types!

Skysurfing

This type is actually said to be an even more extreme and radical rendition of
skydiving. In skysurfing, the diver would be diving with a board that is
somewhat like a snowboard, but a bit smaller in size. This board would be
attached to the diver's feet.

Skysurfing is said to be hard simply because board attached to your feet is
extremely difficult to control. In fact, even simply standing straight would
require you some skill and precise balance that you can only get from
considerable experience in free flying.

Once you gain some experience and become a master of skysurfing, you would have
the ability to use your boards to execute rapid rolls, tumbles, and spinning
helicopter acrobatic stunts. Just like in Freestyle skydiving, you would have
to have an auxiliary partner, whose duty is to film your skysurfing
performance. As a safety measure, the boards can be detached while you are in
mid-aie. However, this can cause extra hazard fro those people on the ground,
which is why not every skydiving club allow this kind of skydiving.

BASE Jumping: As Close As It Gets

BASE jumping is actually considered to be the most extreme and dangerous among
the types of skydiving. "BASE" is actually an acronym which refers to the
structures that the skydivers jump from: Building; Antennae, which can be an
uninhabited structure, aerial mast or tower; Span, which are bridge-like
structures; and Earth, such as cliffs or canyons.

This kind of skydiving is only done by very experienced divers. This is so,
because such kind of diving includes huge risks due to the fact that the jump
is quite a short one and has close proximity to a lot of structures that give
huge risks of entanglement, collision and the likes.

According to statistics, in between 1981 to 2007, there is an estimate of one
hundred eleven experienced BASE jumpers have already met fatal endings due to
some complications in the jump, that basically lead to a failure.

Wingsuit Flying: Flying In Style

This branch of skydiving is a recent one. A winsgsuit is an up to date
invention in which skydivers put on a specially designed suit that has webbings
stitched in between the arms and legs.

When the wingsuit is worn while skydiving, it results to an airfoil, which
gives the skydiver a lift. Thus the diver is apportioned with an even more
highly developed level of control over his descent speed and trajectory that
seems impossible at normal circumstances.

However, this kind of dive would usually entail you to use portable computers
and other gadgets to record your velocity and distance travelled. Records show
that the slowest speed ever accomplished with a wingsuit is 25mph. Once you get
to reach the specified altitude, you would have to unzip your wingsuit's arm
webbing in order to deploy your parachute.

Wingsuits are commonly used and popular with BASE jumpers. This is due to the
reason that when they wear wingsuits, they can have the ability to turn their
60 second freefall period into a longer span of 3 minutes. Nevertheless, this
kind of skydiving is only done by very experienced divers. I fact, it's
recommended that you should have hundreds of jumps under your belt even before
you decide to embark on this kind of skydiving.

Accuracy Landing: Getting It Straight To The Point

This type of skydiving is a competitive one in which a skydiver would earn
points in the competition for being able to land as closely as he can to a
specific target point or area on the ground. It is usually done solo and the
landing part is the one given the most attention.

Skydiving in Ohio -- Take a Jump in the Countryside!

Skydiving always starts out as a nice idea, and usually doesn't develop past
that. In fact you may not even realize what you're doing until you actually
step out of that plane and feel yourself fall with the wind. Standing in the
doorway, you feel secure as your feet seem firmly planted on the ground. The
equipment on your back weighs you down and it seems like free falling into sky
isn't something that could realistically happen. Then you lower your goggles,
the instructor gives you the signal to jump, you take a deep breath, then you
jump into a world of heart-racing free-falling adventure and rely on nothing
but your parachute to land you safely on the ground.

Sailing the blue skies in Ohio is certainly to be an unforgettable experience.
Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but you'll find some of the country's
best skydiving in this beautiful state. While it's a fear that isn't easily
conquered by most people, for those who want to brave the skies and experience
the thrill of free-falling will find no better place to fulfill their dream
than Ohio. There are several facilities located throughout the state that offer
lessons for the beginner or advanced jumps for the expert.

An excellent place to indulge in your skydiving adventure is AerOhio Skydiving
Center located in Cleveland. The center offers lessons in Accelerated Freefall
(AFF), Tandem, or Static Line jumps. AFF jumps and Static Line jumps require a
half day of classes which close with a jump at the end of the day. Tandem jumps
also require a half day of training although these classes are not as intense.
AerOhio Skydiving Center is conveniently located in central Cleveland but also
has two other facilities located in Ohio. In addition to the best skydiving
lessons in Ohio, AerOhio also offers its students sales and service, rigging
services, comfortable and air conditioned student classrooms, and free camping
complete with hot showers. The rates are very reasonable at AerOhio Skydiving
Center. You can schedule a tandem skydive for only $199 or an AFF dive for
$299. Take advantage of their amazing group specials, which offer a discount of
$30 per person for every group of 10.

Another great location for skydiving in Ohio is Skydive Columbus. Skydive
Columbus provides students with one-on-one instruction on tandem skydiving, and
goes over every little detail of the jump. You will learn how to manage your
equipment, how to pull the ripcord, and hand signals used between you and the
instructor during your free-fall. You will go through an extensive safety
course and you will only board the aircraft when you are confident that you
understand the entire process. Skydive Columbus has its own rate schedule that
can be viewed online or by calling for information. For a tandem jump which
includes training and all equipment, you are looking at $219 for a single
person. You can choose to purchase a video of your tandem skydive for an extra
$95. Skydive Columbus does not offer any group discounts, but they do offer
specific group rates. If you feel comfortable with tandem skydiving, the facil
ity offers the chance to jump as individual (known as an accelerated free-fall)
after three tandem jumps for $150. The facility offers various jumps and lessons
in order to obtain your skydiving license, but you should call in advance with
those questions and to obtain the rates.

Skydiving Lessons in Ohio

Ever wonder where to go to experience the ultimate thrill of skydiving? For
some people, the thought of skydiving never crosses their mind. For others,
it's a fantasy that's just dying to be met. Whether you're novice or expert
skydiver, one thing is for sure -- you will find the best skydiving lessons in
areas of the northwest. Sailing the blue skies in Ohio is certainly to be an
unforgettable experience. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but you'll find
some of the country's best skydiving in the countryside area of the state. While
it's a fear that isn't easily conquered by most people, for those who want to
brave the skies and experience the thrill of free-falling will find no better
place to take skydiving lessons than Ohio.

An excellent place to take skydiving lessons in Ohio is AerOhio Skydiving
Center located in central Cleveland. The center offers lessons in Accelerated
Freefall (AFF), Tandem, or Static Line jumps. AFF jumps and Static Line jumps
require a half day of classes which close with a jump at the end of the day.
Tandem jumps also require a half day of training although these classes are not
as intense. Because you will be jumping attached to a certified instructor, you
are not required to spend as much time in the classroom. In tandem jumps, you
will be introduced to basic skydiving lessons and learn about canopy
parachutes, which are used in tandem jumps. AFF jumps are allowed on your very
first skydive. AerOhio requires these jumpers to undergo six hours of training
before jumping with two certified AFF instructors. Although you will not be
attached to these instructors while jumping, they will be there to guide you
through any situation that may arise. AFF jumps allow you to experience the
ultimate thrill of free-falling at 120 mph and is ideal for someone who wants
to become a licensed skydiver in a rapid amount of time. Static Line jumps are
the most common for beginners in skydiving are usually required before
advancing to AFF jumps. In Static Line jumps, the parachute is opened by a
static line which is attached to the aircraft. Upon exiting, your parachute
will open once you let go of the static line. Static Line jumps allow you to be
in complete control of your descent as you guide your parachute to the landing
zone. You must complete at least one of these jumps before advancing to the AFF
jump.

Another excellent place for skydiving lessons in Ohio is Skydive Columbus.
Skydive Columbus Ohio provides students with one-on-one instruction on tandem
skydiving, and goes over every little detail of the jump. You will learn how to
manage your equipment, how to pull the ripcord, and hand signals used between
you and the instructor during your free-fall. You will go through an extensive
safety course and you will only board the aircraft when you are confident that
you understand the entire process.

Keep in mind that if you are planning to take skydiving lessons in Ohio, it is
recommended to check out the weather prior to your arrival. Most facilities do
no operate year round due to the unpredictable weather.

Cleveland Skydiving Lessons

Sailing the blue skies in Cleveland, Ohio is certainly to be an unforgettable
experience. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but you'll find some of the
country's best skydiving in Cleveland. While it's a fear that isn't easily
conquered by most people, for those who want to brave the skies and experience
the thrill of free-falling will find no better place to take skydiving lessons
than Cleveland, Ohio.

An excellent place to take skydiving lessons in Cleveland is AerOhio Skydiving
Center. The center offers lessons in Accelerated Freefall (AFF), Tandem, or
Static Line jumps. AFF jumps and Static Line jumps require a half day of
classes which close with a jump at the end of the day. Tandem jumps also
require a half day of training although these classes are not as intense.
Because you will be jumping attached to a certified instructor, you are not
required to spend as much time in the classroom. In tandem jumps, you will be
introduced to basic skydiving lessons and learn about canopy parachutes, which
are used in tandem jumps. AFF jumps are allowed on your very first skydive.
AerOhio requires these jumpers to undergo six hours of training before jumping
with two certified AFF instructors. Although you will not be attached to these
instructors while jumping, they will be there to guide you through any
situation that may arise. AFF jumps allow you to experience the ultimate thrill
of free-falling at 120 mph and is ideal for someone who wants to become a
licensed skydiver in a rapid amount of time. Static Line jumps are the most
common for beginners in skydiving are usually required before advancing to AFF
jumps. In Static Line jumps, the parachute is opened by a static line which is
attached to the aircraft. Upon exiting, your parachute will open once you let
go of the static line. Static Line jumps allow you to be in complete control of
your descent as you guide your parachute to the landing zone. You must complete
at least one of these jumps before advancing to the AFF jump.

AerOhio Skydiving Center is conveniently located in central Cleveland but also
has two other facilities located in Ohio. In addition to the best skydiving
lessons in Ohio, AerOhio also offers its students sales and service, rigging
services, comfortable and air conditioned student classrooms, and free camping
complete with hot showers. Of course, the knowledgeable staff of AerOhio can
also provide you with information regarding surrounding hotels, attractions,
and restaurants.

The rates are very reasonable at AerOhio Skydiving Center. You can schedule a
tandem skydive for only $199 or an AFF dive for $299. Take advantage of their
amazing group specials, which offer a discount of $30 per person for every
group of 10. You can also schedule a free jump for the group organizer! Look
into other specials offered such as college group discounts, military
discounts, and even weekday jumping specials. AerOhio offers seasonal discounts
year-round, so call in advance for any specials.

Experience Skydiving in Canada

Skydiving always starts out as a nice idea, and usually doesn't develop past
that. It always seems like fun in your daydream, but then reality sets in and
before you can breathe, you've already changed your mind. If you dare to
experience this free-falling thrill, you may not even realize what you're doing
until you actually step out of that plane and feel yourself fall with the wind.
Standing in the doorway, you feel secure as your feet seem firmly planted on
the ground. The equipment on your back weighs you down and it seems like free
falling into sky isn't something that could realistically happen. Then you
lower your goggles, the instructor gives you the signal to jump, you take a
deep breath, then you jump into a world of heart-racing free-falling adventure
and rely on nothing but your parachute to land you safely on the ground.

Canada is a beautiful country to explore all its own, regardless if you are
planning to skydive. Canada is full of countryside lakes, glorious mountains,
and rolling hills that seems to stretch on forever. Imagine viewing these
amazing natural sights from thousands of feet in the air. A chance like that is
definitely once in a lifetime, so if you're given the opportunity to skydive in
Canada, you should jump on it immediately.

One skydiving facility in Canada is Skydive Burnaby located in Ontario. This
facility provides one-on-one instruction in tandem skydiving, which is the jump
of choice for first time skydivers. You will receive classroom instruction where
you will learn how to operate the equipment, communicate using hand signals with
your instructor, and discuss landing techniques. If you choose to do so, you can
pull the rip cord yourself or have your instructor do the honors. You can also
catch this amazing experience on film by having your jump taped by a
professional aerial videographer. For the experienced skydiver, Skydive Burnaby
offers accelerated freefall (AFF) jumps along with the opportunity to jump in
formations with other skydivers.

Another wonderful facility in Canada is Skydive SWOOP located in downtown
Toronto. This facility offers instruction in the three main types of skydive
jumps: AFF, Static Line, and Tandem. The static line jumps allows you to jump
solo on the first time while your parachute is opened by your jumpmaster aboard
the aircraft. Skydive SWOOP offers many amenities in addition to skydiving,
including on-site restaurants, gift shops, and a prestigious camping ground
facility complete with hot showers.

There is no greater thrill than experiencing the feel of wind rushing through
your body at 120 mph -- and there's no greater place to experience it than
Canada! A simple search of the internet will provide you a comprehensive
listing of all skydiving facilities located in this country along with their
rates and travel information. And don't forget to capture it all on film; this
is something you will want to show your friends and family for years to come!

Skydiving Au Naturel with Naked Skydiving

The thought of skydiving alone can send some people into a manic state of fear,
complete with cold sweats and hives. The thought of skydiving naked can worsen
that state of fear, or for a very select few, send them grinning from ear to
ear. Usually naked skydiving is reserved for those who have already made the
jump before and are comfortable with diving again. It is also for those who
have no problem bearing all to the world beneath them, although finding a place
where such an adventure is legal can be a bit of a challenge.

Why would someone want to skydive naked in the first place? The reasons vary
depending on the person. Some people choose to make the naked jump to
commemorate an event such as a birthday or anniversary. Some people do it just
because they want to and for no other good reason. Skydiving naked is similar
to regular skydiving in many ways but there are a few slight differences to
keep in mind before going where no man has gone before.

First of all, it is important to understand that naked skydiving physically
feels much different than fully-clothed jumps. For example, think about how
your face and cheeks really flap in the wind while you're free-falling. Now
think about other parts of your body doing that exact same thing -- those
particular parts are not used to be exposed to 130 mph winds. Second, do a
safety check of all your equipment prior to jumping. It is possible your
harness will fit quite differently naked as opposed to clothed. You need to
make sure that your equipment is tight enough yet remains comfortable for you
to maneuver while landing. Also, keep in mind that despite how warm the
temperature may be outside, your jump is going to be extremely cold. This is
why skydivers are usually clad in long sleeves, tights, helmets and goggles. It
would be similar to diving into a pool of 40 degree water naked, even at the
warmest time of year.

Most naked jumps are not permitted at any time of day. Typically in areas where
this excursion is legal, time is limited on making a naked jump. Most facilities
will require you to jump when there are no students on board, meaning either at
the very beginning of the day on the first load or the very end on the last
load. Also, you will probably not be permitted to load the aircraft naked. Most
facilities will require you to wear a loose shirt and shorts or a fanny pack at
minimum, all of which can easily be removed just prior to jumping. Another
typical requirement is that you must be fully clothed when landing in the
dropzone. To do this, keep your shirt stuffed in your fanny pack and quickly
pull it out immediately after landing.

To find a facility that permits naked jumping, search the internet or contact a
local skydiving facility. Be prepared to travel to your naked skydiving
adventure, as several naked jump facilities are located internationally.

The History of Skydiving

Skydiving is a well loved sport, especially for the extreme goers out there.
However, it may seem that skydiving is something new as a sport, but in
reality, it has a very rich and colourful history that can be very interesting
to know, whether you are a fan of the sport or simply curious about it.

Milestones And More

Although most of skydiving milestones happened during the 20th century, its
history actually goes back further more. Originally, parachuting started around
the 1100s in China, which is about a thousand years ago. Although there were no
airplanes during that time, people would find natural formations in which they
can leap off and float safely towards the ground below. Additionally, Da Vinci
actually made a design that shows a wooden frame parachute that has a pyramid
shape. This is just one of the proofs that parachuting is actually way older
than most people think.

Skydiving Sport History

If you'll be talking about the sport of skydiving, this matter would have a
much recent history in the making. The very first person who did this daring
act was Jacques Garnerin. He didn't jump from an airplane though. What he did
was jump off from balloons, around late 18th century. He also performed
fanciful displays when he did so. After he executed his jumps, he would then
make use of a parachute to have a safe landing.

When Women Came In

Women had a part in skydiving history too. However, it was not until the 19th
century that they started having participation in the sport. One of the most
famous women in skydiving history is Kathe Paulus. She parachuted in Germany
during the end of the 19th century and became very well known for this skill of
hers.

Airplane Generation

Ever since the airplane was invented, the skydiving history became even more
colourful than ever. Indeed, it took a great leap of faith, literally and
metaphorically! With the evolution of the airplane, the more did skydiving
evolved and became even more daring. Now, daredevils had the opportunity to
parachute from a fast-moving mechanical device, which caused even more
spectacular and breathtaking skydiving routines.

The first woman to ever jump off from an airplane is Tiny Broadwick. She did
this daring stunt back in 1913. Additionally, she is also the first woman to do
a free fall jump from an airplane, which she did in 1914.

Skydiving: It's Official!

One interesting fact about skydiving is that it wasn't called skydiving before.
The term skydiving was only coined in the mid-1950's and used for Raymond Young.
This was the first time when it was actually declared as skydiving. Before it
was termed as such, "skydiving" was simply called as "parachuting" by many.

From Novelty To Sport

Before, skydiving was considered to be more of a novelty act than a sport. It
was only during the period after World War II that this art became an actual
sport that a lot of people could engage in, just like basketball. This
transition was due to the fact that skydiving and parachuting was commonly done
as a tactical move by many countries throughout the war.

In fact, pilots during World War I were even told to crash their planes into
enemy territory rather than bailing out and were just given parachutes for
survival. Ever since the 1st successful bailout in 1922 of an airplane,
parachuting became a popular method of bailing out for pilots.

After the Second World War, it became a mainstream hobby for many. This is
because the soldiers who came back enjoyed this activity and even have the
courage to do a freefall. They held some competitions which then became a
popular sport for civilians too. It was in 1957 that the first skydiving
schools appeared and up until now, more people are having the courage to face
this extreme sport.

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