Choosing the Right Skydiving Center, According to Skydive Pros

If you’re trying to find the right place for your first tandem skydive, your brain is probably swimming with all the skydiving information you’ve read. Do you wish there was a condensed list of the most important tips for choosing a skydiving center? Good news, you’re in the right spot.

Skydive Paraclete XP is home to some of the most prominent skydiving professionals in the industry, and we love to share our expertise with anyone looking for information. Keep reading for insight into the top three things to look for when choosing a skydiving center.

1. All Dropzones Are Not Created Equal

Often in the states, skydiving facilities are called drop zones, and while they may all share similar names, not all drop zones are created equal. There are facilities both small and large that can provide adequate service, but it is important to find the dropzone just right for you. It’s a little like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Some facilities will be too large, and the staff is as cold as ice. Other facilities might be too small and not able to provide the amenities you’d like.

A simple call to the dropzone can help you gauge the feel of the facility and see if it is a good match for you. Generally, when making a decision about which dropzone to skydive, you’ll want to gravitate toward a dropzone that has pledged to uphold safety recommendations.

Skydive Paraclete is a member of the United States Parachute Association, and is one of the most reputable dropzones in the United States, jumpers of all experience levels travel from far and wide to skydive at Skydive Paraclete XP. The other perk of skydiving with Skydive Paraclete XP is that, while in the area, you can also take advantage of our sister facility, Paraclete XP SkyVenture, to participate in indoor skydiving.

The facilities and amenities at Skydive Paraclete XP include a 250 Acre Airport and Dropzone, an impressive turbine aircraft fleet that includes Otter, Pac750, Caravan, and CASA12, a gear/gift store to purchase skydiving equipment and memorabilia for the family, and an on-site restaurant for when you get peckish.

2. Bird’s the Word

Since we referenced aircraft, let’s talk more about what aircraft you should be seeking for your skydive.

The plane you take to altitude can have a significant impact on the overall experience of your skydive. From comfort during the ride and the amount of time the aircraft takes to get to altitude, to the maximum altitude you’re able to reach, the plane will dictate what is possible. For an optimal experience, look for a dropzone with a large turbine aircraft.

3. Beware of a Bargain Too Good to Believe

If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is, especially when it comes to skydiving. Running a first-rate skydiving center costs money. Like any business, there are overhead costs. However, in skydiving, these directly affect the ability of the dropzone to ensure safe operations.

Meticulously maintaining aircraft, acquiring properly-rated equipment, and hiring professional, qualified instructors are all worthwhile expenditures a dropzone must make. A portion of this cost is passed down to customers as the rate they pay for the adventure of skydiving. There are experiences where it makes sense to skimp, but a skydive isn’t one of them. Steer clear of a skydiving facility that has rates far below its surrounding competitors. They are probably cutting corners to do so. Be willing to make an investment in your skydive; you’ll be glad you did.

Now that you’ve heard from the best, put it to the test and come to check out all we have to offer at Skydive Paraclete.