What to Know Before Your First Skydiving Trip

My First Time Skydiving + What I Learned

I have been practicing yoga at Shockoe Slip Yoga for more than three years. The owner, Rose, has invited me to go skydiving with her every single year. Her fiancé owns and operates No Limits Skydiving, just a 45-minute drive outside of Richmond. I was always curious. Interestingly, I also pass this business during my monthly visits to Virginia’s River Realm, one of my biggest content creation clients. I always had something going on or felt like my budget was too tight to pay for the skydiving adventure. She finally asked me this spring to go for her birthday. This time, I had the freedom to say “yes!” Once I realized what I’d committed to, I reached out to a few of my other single ladies and fortunately two of them said, “Hell Yes!” So, off we went together to take on skydiving for the first time together.

We first met at the storefront of No Limits to get a lesson, sign paperwork and get suited up. We then drove across the street to the airfield and got our chutes put on. We hopped in the plane, two by two for our jumps. We went tandem skydiving, which is pretty much your only option for the first time. This means you’re strapped to someone, an expert, on your way down. You can watch the video above to see how it all goes down once you’re in the plane.

I took notes, as Sweet Sauce does, along the way. Here are a few tips to take along with you before you take on skydiving the first time:

Don’t Think Too Hard Before You Go

This might seem simple, but this is how I dealt with any potential anxiety during the jump. I barely told anyone that I was going skydiving before I went. I didn’t want them to ask me questions or tell me how terrified they were. I didn’t want to absorb their fears. Personally, I also didn’t overthink it. I didn’t let myself dwell on the coming experience. I kept myself distracted with other things during the week leading up to it. I knew I was going to have fun. I knew I would regret it if I backed out. I knew I was going to be in the hands of experts.

These Guys Jump Out of Planes All the Time

You can’t just jump out of a plane with a parachute. You have to log hundreds of hours of practice, take tests, own a business, etc. If there were some chance of dying, these guys would have had their funerals by now. They know what they’re doing. They jump out of planes multiple times a day. In fact, skydiving isn’t even in the top 15 most common deaths in the United States. Only one person per 100,000 jumps is injured.

Let Them Do the Work

The skydivers will give you several run throughs of how the jump will go. I wanted to take lots of notes and remember everything. But, Rose assured me I should just relax and let it happen. So, I did. I didn’t stress about what to do at what time. I let my tandem skydiver coach me along the way. He did a great job and I felt safe and comfortable the whole time.

It Happens Really Fast

You can see from the video clip above that the whole experience is pretty fast. The longest part is waiting to actually get in the plane. The plane ride itself is 10 minutes or so. Then, when it’s time to scoot over to the door to jump, it’s all a blur. When you jump, you free fall for a just seconds. Then the parachute opens and you begin your decent. This was actually one of my favorite parts. I loved the slower pace to be able to view the world from above. Take it in. Before you know it, you’ll be kicking your feet in front of you to land.

It’s Cold Up There

Even on a nice day, it’s cold up in the sky. It was refreshing at first, but dang! After a while my ears were numb and my eyes were pouring water. The physical impact is totally worth it, but know that the sensation is intense. I thought something was wrong, actually. My ears were in a bit of pain for at least 30 minutes after the jump. It’s okay, though. It’s totally normal.

It Gets Personal

No one warned me about this part, either. When you ride tandem with an experienced skydiver, you are strapped to the front of his body. Tight. Like, he was breathing on my neck. HI slips grazed my ears several times as he gave me directions. His manly bits were tucked right between my butt cheeks. I don’t know how he does it on a regular basis. I am comfortable with myself and my personal boundaries. For some, this may be a bit uncomfortable. It’s worth it, still. Just know what you’re getting into before hand. Take a chill pill. Relax. He won’t try anything.

Pay for the Photos and Videos

If you read my earlier paragraph about how fast it goes by, this will help you keep the memories close. I am so glad I have these photos and videos. It doesn’t cost much extra. The GoPro is worn on the wrist of the skydivers hand and they help you get the right shots throughout the experience. At No Limits, I went home with a USB drive that day.

It’s Totally Worth It

Fear is a good thing. If you aren’t nervous, then you’re sort of missing the point of this experience. I highly recommend taking the leap, financially, emotionally, and literally.