Skydiving (both solo skydiving and tandem skydiving) is a hobby many have recently fallen in love with. Some have developed an addiction to the insane adrenaline rush the experience brings, and others are reluctant to try it or repeat it. Whether you are in the former or latter category, there is always a first time for everything, and skydiving is a one-of-a-kind experience that requires some preparation before venturing into.
Can I skydive alone my first time?
Skydiving alone might seem like a dream come true to you. Just you and the parachute on your back, seeing the world from atop and the breathtaking view is something you only want to enjoy alone.
But just like driving for the first time, you need to have someone with you to direct you the entire ‘ride’, alert you to body position, and open the parachute at the right time.
You cannot skydive alone the first time for safety purposes, but you can definitely just sit back and relax, metaphorically speaking of course, (there will be no sitting when you’re up in the air!), take in the scene from thousands of feet up in the air, and enjoy the wind slapping against your face. You wouldn’t have to worry about a single thing but enjoying every second of the experience; just leave all the worries to your tandem professional.
How many times do you have to tandem skydive before you can solo skydive?
You’re probably wondering just when you can skydive solo, because although tandem skydiving is a breathtaking experience (quite literally), you want to do this on your own.
However, before you can do that, you need to fully train to be prepared for anything you might encounter when you are all alone up in the air.
In order to do that, you will undergo several hours of training, more than 25 jumps at a minimum (as per USPA’s recommendation) and a test, and then it is recommended that you have one tandem jump before you skydive solo.
How much does it cost to be solo skydiving?
Skydiving solo might cost anywhere between $80 to $250 per dive, depending on several factors. If you are already trained, USPA certified, and have your own equipment, the ride up might cost you only $25, depending on where you are skydiving.
If you are skydiving solo but don’t own the equipment, the price goes up significantly. Your skydiving destination also plays a big role in pricing. Cities that are considerably more expensive charge much higher for skydiving in general. For example, skydiving solo in Texas might be a much cheaper option compared to skydiving solo in Wisconsin, as you can see in the table below. Discuss pricing with several skydiving companies before you chose, as doing that can seriously save you some money.
You also must know that some companies charge you extra if you weighed more than 200 lbs. For example, a company in Wisconsin will charge you $50 extra if you were within the range of 200-230lbs, and $100 extra if you weighed between 230-260 lbs.
| State | Price | Skydiving Solo Training (if not certified) | Number of jumps | Total amount |
| Texas | $225 | $150 a jump | 8 | $1425 |
| Kentucky | $180 | $60 a jump | 25 | $1750 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $259 | $160, full amount | 25 | $1763 |
| Wisconsin | $225 | $1820 | 13 | $2045 |
| New York | $589 | Unavailable | 1 | $589 if cash; 599 if by credit |
Whether you decide to tandem skydive or skydive solo, the experience itself is often described as exhilarating and a definite must-try. You might fall in love with skydiving from the first dive and decide to experience it on your own, solo, to which you need to undergo training to fully prepare for what you might face up in the air.
Nevertheless, skydiving has become an item many have on their bucket lists, and what some thought is only a once-in-a-lifetime experience, others have fallen in love with and decided to make a career out of it.