7 Insider Tips For First-Time Tandem Skydivers

If you’re skydiving for the first time, you may have a lot of nerves or questions that need to be answered. Luckily, we’ve got some experience under our belt! Here are a few insider tandem skydiving tips to your first skydive is the best it can be.

1. Not Everybody Cares About Your Skydive…But We Do. Enormously!

You’ll notice when you’re shopping smart that not every dropzone is great. A whole lot of them, in fact, are “tandem mills,” where the operation is concerned far more with churning out tandem skydives than it is about the experiences of each individual tandem jumper. That, suffice it to say, is not our philosophy. A big part of what has contributed to our thriving business and community is the fact that we pay a lot of attention to everyone who comes through our door. We love new jumpers, and you’ll love us!

2. You Prefer The Limo.

The ride to altitude has a huge impact on the skydiving experience, and the differences between skydiving aircraft are night-and-day. We know that you’d far prefer riding to your once-in-a-lifetime first skydiving experience in a stretch limo as opposed to a hooptie, and you’re absolutely right in that conviction. Luckily, we have just the fleet of shiny chariots your heart desires. (Man, we love our planes.)

3. You Like To Get High (And You Should).

…And by that, naturally, we mean 13,500 feet high over the stunning Carolina landscape. In skydiving, it’s all about altitude—the higher, the better—and, because of the aforementioned super-rad aircraft, we take you thousands of feet farther up into the big blue yonder than most skydiving dropzones in the USA.

4. You Manage Risk Wisely.

You know that a smart cookie has a backup plan, and you make your choices accordingly. We agree wholeheartedly with this philosophy. After all, tandem skydiving isn’t a risk-free activity, but we’ve got some of the best tandem instructors in the land, with a reserve parachute (and an automatic activation device) at the ready for every single tandem skydiver who jumps with us. We’ve got your back.

5. The Biggest Mistake A First-time Jumper Can Make Is Not Getting Photos.

We know this sounds like an upsell more than a skydiving tip, but trust us, the number one regret we hear from tandem skydivers is that they didn’t get photos or video to commemorate that first jump. (This author is one of them, as a matter of fact, and let me tell you: those dusty, patchwork memories are not enough.) You can always forego ‘em for your second, third, fourth, and so on, but for this first one, treat yourself to some skydiving memories. No regrets.

6. Even If You Don’t Jump With Us, Jump With A Dropzone That Has Sworn To Protect You.

It doesn’t sound like a thing, but it’s a thing: There are some dropzones that play for the good guys, and some dropzones that are kinda mercenary. We are proud, passionate members of the first group, which means, of course, that we are proud, passionate members of the United States Parachute Association, or USPA. Members of the USPA follow a long list of safety requirements, contribute to the advancement of parachuting safety and technology, and agree to outside oversight of their operation. The mercenary guys? Not so much. We want the best for you, so we’re happy to show you the whole team roster. (Spoiler: it’s a great big list.)

7. Don’t Wait.

Here’s our final insider skydiving tip … so much empowerment is waiting on the other side of that aircraft door. Don’t wait to see what it’s like to make a tandem skydive; you’ll only wish you had done it sooner!

Located in Raeford near Fayetteville, Skydive Paraclete XP is a premier destination for skydiving in NC. If you’re ready for the thrill of a lifetime, view more information on tandem skydiving or contact a member of our highly-experienced team.