Skydiving has evolved significantly since the first parachute was designed back in the 1480s. Today, sport skydiving exists as a hobby, participated in by thousands of skydivers across the globe, and tandem skydiving appears on most people’s bucket lists.

Here are ten key moments in skydiving history that brought us to where we are today.

1483: Leonardo Da Vinci and the World’s First Parachute

Leonardo Da Vinci (Leo to his friends) was an incredibly talented artist with an eye for detail. But even more than that, he was an exceptional scientist and engineer.

His intricate study of the world around him led him to create great works of art. It also led him to theorize much about the human anatomy, architecture, sculpture, music, engineering, geology, hydraulics and the military arts.

He took a keen interest in flight and sketched a conical parachute design in 1483, which is recognized as the first parachute. An accompanying note read: “If a man is provided with a length of gummed linen cloth with a length of 12 yards on each side and 12 yards high, he can jump from any great height whatsoever without injury.”

In the year 2,000, Adrian Nicholas became the first man to jump with the Da Vinci parachute, proving that it was, in fact, the first working parachute ever designed.

1911: The World’s First ‘Skydiver.

It was sometime between Da Vinci’s sketch and the first skydive as we know it today (though some scripture suggests parachute descents were made in China in the interim). Credit for the first modern skydive is split between Grant Morten and Albert Berry, with controversy rife to this day over who actually jumped first.

Morten was reportedly the first skydiver when he jumped from a Wright Model B airplane over Venice Beach, California using a folded silk parachute. It has been argued that he was actually beaten to it by Berry, a US Army Captain, who jumped in March 1912. Records aren’t clear, meaning we’ll probably never know – but suffice to say, the first skydive was made sometime around 1911-1912!

1914-1945: Skydiving and the Military

Much of skydiving’s development from that point on can be attributed to the use of parachutes in the World Wars. During this time, it was widely recognized that parachutes served a great purpose as a life saving device. It was first proposed by American General Billy Mitchell that parachute troops be used in 1917, with the Italian military credited with the first combat jump in 1918.

In 1933, the Soviets staged the first mass parachute drop when they dropped 62 parachutists from three bombers. They greatly expanded their parachute units and in 1936 dropped 1,800. Parachute regiments became commonplace in World War II, and many armies still retain their parachuting arms to this day.

With parachutes used so much in war, their development was accelerated. When the war ended, the parachutes became available for non-military use, helping to bring parachuting to the masses.

1946: USPA (United States Parachute Association) founded

The USPA is the governing body for the sport of skydiving in the USA. The USPA provides guidance and sets rules in place to keep the sport safe, and oversees its ongoing progression. Today, the USPA is a huge part of skydiving in this country and is the body which awards instructor ratings and skydiving qualifications.

The USPA was founded in 1946, in Mineola, New York, as the National Parachute Jumpers-Riggers, Incorporated. At the time, it represented around 100 members. It was renamed the Parachute Club of America in 1957 and renamed itself again to the United States Parachute Association in 1967. Its inception was an important point in skydiving as it marked the recognition of skydiving as a sport and hobby.

The 1960s: First Ram-Air Parachute Design

The first parachutes were round in shape. This meant they could pivot on their centre, but controlling their speed, direction, and glide ratio was pretty much impossible.

This led to the invention of the first ram-air parachute design by Domina Jalbert in the 1960s. Jalbert was a kite maker, who recognised that the kite shape was much more efficient as a wing. This is because the ram-air (or parafoil) design allows air in through the front ‘cells’ and then retains that air, forming a rigid wing that can be controlled by its pilot much more effectively than round parachutes ever could.

Today, the vast majority of skydivers use ram-air parachutes, with which they perform high-performance ‘swoop’ landings as well as being able to adjust their speed and descent.

1964: First Vertical Wind Tunnel Flight

Skydiving wind tunnels are what we call vertical wind tunnels (VWT). These differ from traditional horizontal wind tunnels which are used to test the aerodynamics of planes or cars.

The first person to fly in a vertical wind tunnel did so in 1964 in Ohio. It was a flight that started a new era for indoor body flight. The first wind tunnel intended for people to fly in was built in 1978 by John St Germain who wanted his children to experience freefall in what he considered being a safer environment.

Since then, indoor skydiving has progressed significantly. Dozens of wind tunnels now exist in the world and many of those are intended solely for the use of skydivers and those who want to experience body flight. Skyventure at Skydive Perris was one of the first wind tunnels for skydivers and remains one of the only wind tunnels situated on a skydiving drop zone. You can find out more about our wind tunnel here.

1978: The Three Ring Release System

The three-ring release system was invented by Bill Booth and patented in 1978 as a means of attaching (and detaching) a canopy from its harness.

It is accepted by skydivers that their main parachute doesn’t always work. This is why modern skydivers jump with a spare, or reserve parachute. But in order to use their reserve, skydivers must first detach the malfunctioning main canopy.

Prior to the invention of the three-ring release system, this detachment was done using capewells, which were cumbersome and could malfunction themselves. The three ring system makes cutting away the malfunctioning parachute much quicker and easier; this is because the design of the system means the mechanical advantage is multiplied by each ring in the series, allowing for the force needed to cut away to be greatly reduced.

The 3-ring is widely recognised as one of the greatest safety innovations in the history of skydiving.

1982: AFF Gets Approved by the USPA

Traditionally, skydiving students learned to skydive solo via static line, which meant that their initial jumps did not include any freefall time. Although there are positives to this method, the downfall was that their eventual introduction to freefalling was a bit rocky. The solution to this was allowing instructors and students to jump out solo, but alongside one another. If a student was unable to nail the freefall alone, it was common for an instructor to jump out with them while holding onto their harness. This is essentially what a modern-day Accelerated Freefall (AFF) jump is!

The issue arose because people were doing this despite the Basic Safety Requirements (BSRs) of the USPA. In 1970, Paul Poppenhager was granted a waiver to the BSRs and was permitted to use freefall as a way to train solo skydiving students at his dropzone.

Today, AFF is the primary method of teaching solo skydivers. It is the most comprehensive and efficient way to train new jumpers. And yes, it’s approved by the USPA. Thanks, Paul!

1980s: Tandem Skydiving Receives Sport Status

Tandem skydiving is a type of skydiving where the ‘student’ jumps from a plane attached to a qualified instructor, sharing one set of parachuting equipment between them. These days, tandem skydiving is the most popular way to experience the first jump – but it’s not always been that way!

In the early 80s, tandem skydiving was still in ‘experimental’ status. This means it was being tested but had yet to be classified as a full sport. The FAA (Federation Aviation Administration) waived the experimental status, opening the door for tandem skydiving to grow in popularity.

1989: Invention of the Cypres AAD

As skydiving has progressed, there have been significant improvements in the safety of the sport. The invention of the Cypres AAD is recognized as one of the most important of these safety innovations.

An AAD, or automatic activation device, is a small device which monitors air pressure and speed. It automatically opens the reserve parachute if it finds it is still falling at freefall speeds by a given altitude. This means that it will ensure the skydiver has a parachute over their heads even if they are knocked unconscious or lose altitude awareness during their descent.

Prior to the invention of the CYPRES, there were a number of AADs on the market but none were considered reliable. Today, the majority of skydivers use AADs, primarily from CYPRES and its rival company Vigil.

1991: Point Break Brings Skydiving to the Masses

Point Break was a film first released in 1991 and later remade in 2016. Its storyline revolved around an FBI agent who goes undercover to catch a gang of surfers who might be bank robbers.

In a plot similar to that of the later film, Cutaway, the main protagonist finds himself drawn into the adrenaline-fuelled lifestyle of the criminals he has been sent to catch. The group persuades the lead character, played by Keanu Reeves, to ‘jump from a perfectly good airplane’ in a scene which shows the skydivers talking to one another mid jump and having an awesome time!

Point Break was one of the first major box office hits to show skydiving, bringing the sport to the masses (although its viability as a true representation of skydiving is questionable!).

2006: 400-Way Formation Skydiving World Record

On February 8, 2006, 400 skydivers crushed the world record for formation skydiving in Udon Thani, Thailand. This is arguably one of the most important moments in skydiving history, because of the sheer amount of inspiration it spread across the skydiving community.

Records of this nature pose questions like: What else is possible? Can we go even bigger and better? And, how did they achieve something so incredible? This accomplishment wildly inspirational for avid skydivers and novices, alike. Inspiration in the sport is integral for growth, which brings us to the next two notable moments in skydiving history…

2012: Felix Baumgartner Shatters The Sound Barrier

In 2012, Felix Baumgartner was the first person to break the sound barrier in freefall. He jumped from 38,969.4 meters above the earth, meaning his fall from the stratosphere was 24 miles above the earth. We would like to express our deepest condolences to Felix’s loved ones, as he passed away in 2025. Long live the legend!

2014: Alan Eustace Does The Highest Freefall

Alan Eustace holds the record for world highest freefall. He fell from a height of 135,890 feet in 2014. He also shattered records for maximum vertical speed with a drogue (822mph!) and distance of fall with a drogue.

Are you Ready to Skydive?

Skydiving is an amazing experience and one which has evolved over more than 500 years. Each year, approximately 500,000 people in the US try skydiving for the first time. Today, more than 10 million men and women throughout the country can say they’ve made at least one skydive.

If you’re ready to join them, book your tandem skydive today. If you’ve got any questions, our team is here to help – contact us!

The post Most Important Moments in Skydiving History appeared first on Skydive Perris.

Luckily, there are plenty of tried-and-true tactics for managing that stress and making the most of your skydiving experience, and it has just as much to do with what you should do as what you should not do before skydiving.

Read on for our top five tips to prepare for your jump – and don’t land with a “what I wish I knew before skydiving” list!

1. Know What to Expect

Diving into the unknown is half the battle when it comes to being less scared of something, and that includes skydiving. Having a good idea of what your time with us will look like, knowing how to prepare for the big day, and even getting in a little bit of practice beforehand will do wonders to calm your racing heart. 

You can even stop by the dropzone before jump day and hang out at the Bombshelter Restaurant to watch other people making their own first skydives! Understanding the process and seeing other people having the time of their lives is the best way to feel more confident in your decision to take the leap.  

2. Do Your Research

Whether you’re someone who lives by numbers or not, understanding the statistics and risks of skydiving can switch your brain into a more logical gear. According to the most recent numbers from the governing body of skydiving in the US, the United States Parachute Association (USPA): 

“USPA members reported making 3.65 million skydives in 2023. In the same year, there were a total of 10 civilian skydiving fatalities in the United States. Both 2021 and 2023 saw this record low number since record keeping began in 1961. When the numbers are placed into a rate index, that comes out to 0.27 deaths per 100,000 jumps.” 

3. Practice Self-Care

It’s impossible to overestimate the value of self-care in both life and skydiving. If you can get yourself in tip top mental and physical shape, your skydiving experience is going to be that much better.

Take some time before you head to the dropzone to do what you know works best for you, whether that means going for a run or laying in bed cuddled under the blankets. Get your mind right before your mind-blowing experience! 

Is it okay to eat before skydiving? Absolutely! You need to take care of your body, too. In fact, you should eat a complete and balanced meal to start your day so that you can feel energized and alert. You can even bring snacks and water with you to the dropzone to keep yourself feeling good throughout the day, but no worries if you didn’t remember! We’ve got you covered at the Bombshelter, with snacks and drinks for before and after your jump. 

Save the party for AFTER your jump! While it might be tempting to go all out the night before to process some of your nerves, a hangover doesn’t make for an enjoyable skydiving experience. And, even worse, we won’t be able to take you on your jump at all if you’re still under the influence or are too sick. Plan to celebrate your life-changing experience with all of your friends after you land. Or, better yet, bring them with you! 

4. Visualize the Outcome

Give your brain permission to let go of the reins for a little while. Meditation and visualization leading up to your jump – whether that’s days or seconds before you leave the airplane – will help every bit of your mind and body feel calmer. 

Picture your jump going exactly as you hope it would be, imagine yourself whooping with joy as you fly through the air, sailing under the beautiful big parachute, and sticking your landing to cheers from loved ones. Try to conjure what it might feel like to freefall through the air at 120 mph and allow your body to embrace the sensation. Deep breathing is also a fantastic way to regulate the nervous system, even in the excitement of the moment.

5. Ask Questions

Your instructor is here for one thing and one thing only – to take care of you while you’re on the ride of a lifetime! Their main focus is for you to feel comfortable, confident and excited. They have hundreds if not thousands of skydives under their belts, have completed intense training, earned several ratings, and have extensive experience in the art of the tandem skydive, so don’t be afraid to tap into them as a resource!

Ask them any questions you have before, during, and after your jump. They’re more than happy to share their knowledge and passion with you. You can even reach out beforehand with questions – we’re all here to support you.

Are you ready to put your fear aside and take the leap? Book your tandem and let’s get to it! 

The post Top Tips if You’re Skydiving Tomorrow and Scared appeared first on Skydive Perris.

What do celebrity sightings and skydiving have in common? They’re often once-in-a-lifetime experiences. But you’ll never guess what else these two things share – sometimes they can happen at the same time! That’s right, there are celebrities who skydive just like the rest of us. And when it comes to famous people skydiving, some of them are even licensed and experienced!

It just so happens that Skydive Perris is one of the famous skydiving places that draws in those adrenaline-seeking A-listers. So if you’re wondering what famous people have gone skydiving, read on to peep just six of the 45+ celebrities who have jumped at Skydive Perris.

Tom Cruise

As you likely already know, when you see Tom Cruise skydiving in a movie, it’s not a double, it’s actually Tom Cruise! He long ago earned his skydiving license so that he can go full send on his own aerial stunts. He even took his airborne hobby/job one step further and can be seen riding a motorcycle off of a cliff into a BASE jump in the 2023 film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. 

Cruise has become somewhat of a celebrity’s celebrity when it comes to skydiving. He’s even responsible for taking James Corden skydiving – at Skydive Perris, no less. The hilarious video of Cruise sharing the sky with Corden has been viewed more than 60 million times! 

David Blaine

David Blaine is, of course, a professional magician and mentalist well known for his mind-bending tricks and antics, but many people don’t know that he’s also a licensed skydiver. How else could he achieve a stunt like his 2020 airborne marvel, Ascension? 

Blaine actually earned his skydiving license at Skydive Perris in 2002 to prepare for an earlier stunt, Vertigo, which concluded with a 100-foot leap into a stack of cardboard boxes. He completed the Perris Skydiving Program in order to learn how to better control his body in the air. 

“There didn’t seem like any better way to learn,” said Blaine. We couldn’t agree more! 

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze’s skydiving scenes in the 1991 classic, Point Break, might be his most famous screen moments – and rightly so, as he was a hobbyist skydiver before he even snagged the role. In fact, the famous “Adios, amigo!” bit is actual footage of Swayze making a skydive with no stunt double!

What people don’t know is that it was a family affair. It was Don Swayze, Patrick’s brother and an avid skydiver, who brought him down to Perris to show him the ropes. To everyone’s surprise, Patrick got right into it and earned his skydiving license. According to his instructor, the star’s athletic and gymnastic ability made him “a natural.”

Point Break, and Swayze’s role in it, is often credited with inspiring a generation of skydivers to look to the skies and dream of their place among the clouds. 

Funny story: One day, when the massively famous Swayze was at the dropzone, he went entirely unrecognized by most of the jumpers. Proof that skydiving is the ultimate equalizer! 

It was a family affair, really. Swayze’s brother, who was a very experienced skydiver at the time, brought him down to Perris to show him the ropes. To everyone’s surprise, Patrick got right into it and earned his license. According to his instructor, the star’s natural athletic and gymnastic ability made him “a natural.”

Funny story: one day, when the at-that-point-massively-famous Swayze was at the dropzone, he went entirely unrecognized by most of the jumpers.

Pom Klementieff

Tom Cruise is the reason Pom Klementieff caught the skydiving bug! He gifted her skydiving lessons, and she never looked back! Now she’s not only a fully-licensed skydiver, but she’s also a Skydive Perris regular. 

With more than 200 skydives in her logbook, Klementieff articulates her passion for the sport in a way we can all relate to: “I love the rush, I love the precision, I love how sharp it makes me. When I jump off a hot-air balloon very early in the morning, and the sun is rising, and it smells like mist — it’s magical.”

Kendall Jenner

Despite laughing and joking around just before exiting the airplane with Scott Disick, Kendall Jenner had a moment of doubt at the edge of the door. But Jenner put her trust in the professionals of Skydive Perris, pushed through her fear, and took a leap of faith for the experience of a lifetime.

She was instantly all smiles and couldn’t stop grinning throughout freefall. Once under canopy, she shared: “It’s crazy how many emotions you go through!” and posted a very cool, “Did it!” after landing safely (and laying in the grass in gratitude) at Skydive Perris. 

Zachary Levi

Like many people, celebrity or not, Zachary Levi can’t get enough of the sky. Since doing his first tandem at age 21, he’s been spotted skydiving all over the world, including at Skydive Perris. The Shazam! Star shared sage advice while he cruised over the Perris Valley under parachute: “Jump out of a plane. Live your life.” Hear, hear, Zach!

The Adrenal-IN Experience

One thing that makes Skydive Perris so appealing to those who “have it all” is our diversity of offerings. Our state-of-the-art facilities, instructors, and equipment afford us the opportunity to share the very best of our sport with anyone who wants to experience it. 

Our Adrenal-IN Experience offers everything anyone could ever want out of skydiving: two 

indoor skydiving flights and a tandem skydive from 12,500 feet! This package lets you see and feel it all, and then celebrate poolside and at the world-famous Bombshelter Restaurant & Bar!

Let’s do a quick recap of what we’ve learned: 

1) Celebrities trust in the experience, professionalism, and culture of safety at Skydive Perris. 

2) You can make a tandem, learn how to skydive, and go indoor skydiving here. 

3) You never know who you’ll be sitting next to on the plane when you book your jump! 

Better make sure you get the photo and video package – you just might have a celebrity photobomber next to you on the aircraft! 

Related Article: Why Skydive Perris the Mecca of Skydiving

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We’ve all heard that growth happens outside your comfort zone, but sometimes that’s easier said than done. We believe that understanding why it’s important to come out of your comfort zone can help you push those boundaries and motivate you to challenge yourself to an enriched life! Read on to learn about the benefits of expanding your horizons and get some real-life tips on how you can achieve new heights. 

What are the Benefits of Doing Something Outside Your Comfort Zone?

Getting out of comfort-zone-territory comes with a myriad of benefits to your life – body, mind, and spirit. What are the benefits, you ask? Here are just a handful of the most impactful:

• Self-confidence
  Your confidence in your ability to handle difficult or scary situations will increase with every challenge that you overcome. You’ll be able to look back on past conquests for reassurance, and pretty soon, the stuff that used to seem impossible will feel like a walk in the park!
  
• Resilience
  Repeatedly handling difficult situations trains your brain to stay calm and lessens your stress response. In the same way that a boxer’s knuckles get more durable with experience or leather is made sturdy through conditioning, you’ll develop mental toughness every time you step outside your comfort zone and face new challenges.
  
• #lifegoals
  Pushing your personal boundaries is directly related to setting and achieving goals. And goal-setting can easily become an entire mindset and lifestyle once you get rolling. Being open to stepping outside your comfort zone allows you to set your sights on experiences you might have never previously considered and greatly increases the chances of hitting the mark. Developing a habit of setting and achieving goals results in a more fulfilling and enjoyable life!
  
• Improved mental health
  All of these benefits combine to boost your mood, self-image, and give you a general sense of well-being. If you’re feeling good about yourself, trying new things you enjoy, and accomplishing goals, how could you not have a better outlook on life? 

How to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Intentionally doing something you thought you’d never do requires self-reflection. It’s all about your mindset! Here are eight steps you may find helpful to get you from thought to action.  

1. Identify your comfort zone: Before you can step outside of it, you have to know where your boundaries are!
   
2. Set a clear goal: Decide on a specific goal or activity that you would like to pursue that has clear parameters you can achieve.
   
3. Start small: Begin by taking small steps towards your goal – you don’t have to go full send right out the gate! It’s almost always easier to set many smaller goals that eventually lead to the big finish line.
   
4. Challenge your limiting beliefs: Identify any negative thoughts or beliefs that are holding you back from stepping out of your comfort zone and work to replace them with positive affirmations.
   
5. Embrace discomfort: Instead of avoiding discomfort, try to embrace it as a positive sign that you are growing.
   
6. Seek support: Reach out to friends, family, or a mentor who can be there for you when you need a little extra help.
   
7. Celebrate accomplishments: Rewarding yourself for overcoming challenges, no matter how small, is crucial to staying motivated.
   
8. Reflect, learn, repeat: Take some time to process how it felt to challenge yourself and use these insights to continue pushing yourself further.

Remember, stepping outside of your comfort zone is a journey, and there may be ups and downs. It’s okay to take it one step at a time – any progress is still progress! Be patient with yourself, and you’ll be smashing boundaries in no time. 

How Growth Happens Outside of Your Comfort Zone

Why does stepping outside your comfort zone promote learning? The inside of a comfort zone is familiar, incubating, and insular. While that might be an evolutionary advantage designed to protect us from stress and challenges that indicate possible danger, staying inside that bubble isn’t a great way to learn about the world and everything it has to offer. 

Stepping outside your comfort zone opens you up to new experiences, perspectives, and knowledge that may not have been accessible within the confines of familiarity. You might not have ever met that amazing yoga instructor, tried that decadent dessert, or gasped over those breathtaking views if you didn’t dare to rally against your comfort. 

It’s hard to learn new things when you’re only doing things you already know how to do or have experienced before. By challenging yourself and embracing discomfort, you can expand your skills, broaden your horizons, and become more adaptable. Stepping outside your comfort zone will only present you with new and exciting things that will continue to enhance your life! 

Skydiving: The Ultimate Way to Experience Growth

There are plenty of stepping-out-of-your-comfort-zone examples out there, but one in particular happens to be our favorite. Surprise! It’s skydiving.

In our humble opinion, skydiving happens to be the perfect activity for stepping outside your comfort zone, whether you’re new to the practice or a seasoned vet. Skydiving presents numerous opportunities for personal growth by being just scary enough while still focusing on safety culture.

First off, yes, you’re flying through the sky! But you’re also attached to a highly-experienced and expertly-trained instructor. Don’t get us wrong – you’re definitely going to be an active participant in your skydive. But you’ll have guidance the whole way, and your instructor will handle the really important stuff. 

Sometimes, it helps to dip your toe to test the water before jumping in. That’s why, at Skydive Perris, you also have the option to learn more about skydiving in the comfort of your home and at your own pace. We offer a comprehensive online skydiving course, the first step to your solo skydiving journey! 

Our beloved sport comes with physical and mental challenges, and skydiving is also a great way to meet new people and learn from different perspectives (literally AND figuratively). And just imagine how confident you’ll feel facing challenges after jumping out of an airplane! 

Life hack: Remember those baby steps? If you’re not quite ready for the real thing, take a spin in our indoor skydiving tunnel first! You can also choose to ramp up your day by getting our Adrenal-IN package: two flights in our wind tunnel followed by a real-deal skydive!   

Are you ready to feel the rush of everything life has to offer? Book your jump and take a step out of one of our airplanes today! Blue skies!

Related Article: How Safe is Tandem Skydiving

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There’s a reason California is known as the Golden State. We’re not just talking about the glittering gold of Hollywood stars or the rich mineral deposits that drew pioneers. We’re talking about the brilliant, golden sunshine that yields all the skydiving fun your heart desires, all year long!

It sure sounds golden to us!

Skydiving Season in Southern California

With weather like ours, the skydiving season in Southern California doesn’t “end.” At Skydive Perris, our beautiful dropzone is open year-round. In part, this is why first-time jumpers, students, and experienced skydivers alike flock to our facilities throughout the fall, winter, spring, and summer. There’s no finish line to our skydiving season!

Best Time of Year to Skydive in California

So, when is the best time to go skydiving in California? Pick any day ending in D-A-Y! The weather is so consistent in our region, nearly any date on the calendar will be perfect for skydiving in Perris!

If you are looking to escape the chilly grip of winter, look no further than skydiving on a balmy 68-degree day with Skydive Perris from December through February! Oh, and did we mention, we average only 2 days of rain in the month of December and only 4 days of rain in January and February? That’s only a 6% chance of your skydive being rained out in December, and about 13% chance of it happening in January and February. We’ll take those odds!

If you prefer the weather to be a bit warmer, you can visit in March, April or May when the temperatures range from the low 70s at the beginning of spring and reach a typical high of 83 degrees by May. And like our winter, there are only 2 to 4 days of rain each month on average in the spring. (Yes!!)

With highs in the upper 90s, summer is quite warm here in Southern California. But, is there a better way to beat the heat than with the pleasant, cool breeze of a freefall from 12,500 feet?! Did you know for every thousand feet you go up, the temperature lowers by about 3 degrees? So, leave everyone else cooking down there, and enjoy a refreshing 69° at altitude!

Fall is one of our favorite skydiving seasons, and many local skydivers would argue it’s the best time to skydive in California. The weather begins to cool, the skies are clear, and there’s still plenty of daylight to skydive in. The light at this time of year is gorgeous, our golden sun turns to brass in the afternoon, and makes for beautiful freefall photos and videos! The weather is so postcard-perfect, the fall has been when we’ve hosted the USPA Skydiving National Championships in years past. 

Best Time of Day to Go Skydiving in California

Some people start their day with a steaming cup-o-joe – but we say the best way to get the day going is with a skydive! 

Besides beginning the day with an inspirational adrenaline rush, there are a couple of weather-related reasons why the best time of day to go skydiving is in the morning. 

Especially in the summer, scheduling for a morning skydive allows you to avoid the heat of the day. Furthermore, the morning is the best time of day to skydive because you are less likely to encounter high winds, which could halt jump operations for a bit. When winds do present a problem, it is typically later in the day.

Why Winds Matter in Skydiving

When people think of the weather that could thwart their skydiving experience, they generally consider the usual culprits: cloudy skies and rainy conditions. So, when the sun is shining and not a cloud is in the sky, and yet there’s no skydiving, most see no reason why they aren’t jumping.

Well, here’s the deal: there are essentially three main “parts” to every skydive – the ride to altitude, the freefall, and the flight back to the ground beneath the canopy/ parachute. In their excitement, most first-time skydivers forget about that last bit. Although, the parachute ride to the ground is potentially the most important part!

The wind conditions greatly affect our ability to control our parachutes and ensure a smooth, uneventful descent and landing. Turbulent, high, or gusty winds can create dangerous situations. This is why winds matter in skydiving and why we are fastidious about the wind conditions we will operate in. 

Additionally, some areas in California – including Perris – can experience a weather phenomenon known as a “dust devil.” These vertical, swirling and short-lived whirlwinds occur under hot, clear skies when light winds are present; typically during summer afternoons. The good thing about dust devils is that the dust and sands swept up in their winds make most of them visible and avoidable. Should you see one under canopy, rest assured our tandem instructors are used to dealing with them and will guide your parachute to safety. That said, a sizable or indistinct one could be a recipe for disaster. To mitigate risk, if dust devils are spotted, we will often suspend operations.

How to Book First Tandem Skydive

Now that you know the best time to skydive in California is, well, anytime, the next step will be to get your skydive on the books! It just so happens, booking a first tandem skydive with Skydive Perris is a breeze. You can visit our website, give us a call at 951-657-1664, or use our handy-dandy online booking calendar to pick the date and time you would like to schedule your jump. Blue skies!

Related Article: How Much Does it Cost to Go Skydiving in California?

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What is tandem skydiving and why is it such a predictable bucket list item for so many people? A tandem jump is essentially when two people, an instructor and a student, are attached to one another with gear specifically designed for the skydive jump … and then they leap from a perfectly good airplane together! It’s the most common way to skydive for the first time, and we’re here to tell you why skydiving tandem is so awesome!

A Brief History: What is Tandem Skydiving

Tandem skydiving actually came into existence after solo civilian skydiving was already popular. Ted Strong invented the first tandem skydive system in 1984, forever revolutionizing the sport. 

Vertically speaking, Strong’s system is a piggyback set up, with the tandem student in front and the tandem instructor in back. Skydiving freefall takes place in a belly-to-earth orientation, so let’s look at the tandem system from a horizontal point of view too. In this scenario, the student is lying face down and the instructor is lying face down on top of them. Of course, in freefall you don’t feel the weight of the instructor on your back – only the freedom of flight!

One other important thing to make clear … you can’t jump tandem with just anyone. As sick as it would be to jump with your skydiving buddy, that won’t be happening unless they have their tandem instructor rating. That said, if your instructor agrees and your buddy has enough experience, they could jump WITH you and come meet you in freefall!

Who Can You Go on a Tandem Skydive With?

Only D-License skydivers who are certified tandem instructors can perform tandem skydives. Let’s break that down. 

In the sport of skydiving there are four license levels: A, B, C and D. Each of these is earned by  achieving a certain number of jumps, logging a prescribed amount of freefall time, completing specific curriculum (including strenuous activities like intentional water landings!), and acing written exams. To be considered as a qualified candidate for the tandem instructor rating, a skydiver must first have their D license, which requires a minimum of 500 skydives and three hours of freefall time. Tandem instructor candidates then must pass a tandem skydiving course and complete probationary tandem jumps. 

All of this to say: your instructor is mega qualified, experienced and credentialed. They have been vetted as a trusted and responsible skydiver who will keep you safe while making sure you have the most radical time!
Fun fact: Approximately half a million people jump for the first time by skydiving tandem every single year. Here at Skydive Perris we average 100,000 skydives annually!

The Top Tandem Skydive Requirements and Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the age limit? 

18 to infinity years old! (Bring your ID!)

Is there a weight limit? 

240lbs. (Added fee if over 220lbs on our scale)

I have a disability, can I skydive? 

If you think you can skydive, you probably can! We have highly skilled instructors who regularly take people with a variety of disabilities tandem instructors, including paraplegics and amputees. Call us to discuss what accommodations you might need.  

What should I wear skydiving? 

We’ll provide you with a super cool skydiving jumpsuit. We require closed toed shoes (no heels, boots or anything with hooks, please), and recommend dressing comfortably for the season.

Should I eat before skydiving? 

Eat regularly and drink plenty of water on the day of your jump. Nausea or fainting (which rarely happens) is usually due to not eating or drinking enough.

Can I get photos of my skydive? 

Uhhh, heck yeah – and you definitely should! We offer photo and video packages.

How high do we jump from? 

Our tandem skydive is from 12,500 feet – that’s about 2.5 MILES UP in the sky! WOOHOOOO!

On the first Saturday of every month or for groups of three or more (call ahead, please), we offer HALO (high altitude low oxygen) jumps from 18,000 feet MSL. These special jumps require supplemental oxygen and are a true once-in-a-lifetime experience! We also have an indoor wind tunnel where you can experience the feeling of a solo freefall before your tandem jump.

Note: skydiving is the ultimate high! If you are suspected to be under the influence, you may be refused service.

Is tandem skydiving or solo skydiving safer?

Tandem skydives are inherently safer, because the person in control has a significantly higher amount of skydiving experience compared to someone doing, say, their 10^th solo skydive. However, the equipment used for both types of jumps is very similar. Once you land from your tandem, though, you might want to learn to fly solo!

What happens if my tandem instructor passes out?

A short six years after tandem skydiving was invented, along came the phenomenal small but mighty AAD. An automatic activation device (AAD) is designed to automatically deploy the reserve parachute in the event that the instructor is unable to do so. Most solo (and all tandem) skydiving rigs are fitted with AAD’s and are inspected during every gear check, before every jump.

If you have other questions – reach out! And if you’re ready to book your jump, bring your bucket list and check off tandem skydiving with us!

Related Article: How to Prepare for Freefall for Tandem Skydive

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Is it possible to breathe while skydiving? Absolutely!

In your quest for information, we know you’ve probably come across the term ‘breathtaking’ to describe skydiving more than once. While the experience is designed to “take your breath away,” we promise this isn’t a literal description. We mean it in a more metaphorical, in a leave-you-speechless-and-astounded kind of way.

Concern over breathing while skydiving is common, but it’s nothing to worry over. This writer can even attest that before her first skydive, she was perturbed by the idea of breathing while in freefall, but it turned out to be no big deal. If you’re worried over how to breathe while skydiving, we have you covered with some first-hand advice!

Keep reading for a few tips on how to breathe, and how not to breathe, during a skydive.

How to Breathe While Skydiving

A regular tandem skydive with Skydive Perris will take you to 12,500 feet above ground level (AGL). From this altitude, the air is slightly thinner, but for an average, healthy individual, breathing should pose no problem.

At Skydive Perris, we also offer High Altitude Low Opening Skydives (HALO), which reach heights of 16,500 feet AGL. At this height, the air is considerably thinner, and without assistance, it would be difficult to breathe. This is why, for HALO skydives, supplemental oxygen is required and provided during the ride to altitude.

When jumping from either altitude, the following suggestions will apply:

• While in the plane, take slow, steady breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. This mindful breathing will not only ensure that you have a proper amount of oxygen to remain alert, but it will also help to keep you focused and calm.
• Take a deep breath and let out a yell as you leave the aircraft. Intermittently, during freefall, if you start feeling like you cannot catch your breath, yell again! Although seemingly counterintuitive, the yell technique is pretty effective. After all, if you can yell, you can breathe.
• In freefall, keep your head up and your eyes on the horizon. This allows you to take in the sights and helps the air to spill around you instead of having it rush into your nose and mouth.

How Not To Breathe While Skydiving

The thought of your first skydive can be overwhelming, but worries over breathing while skydiving don’t need to get you worked up. Below are two skydiving breathing mistakes to avoid:

1. Do not intentionally hold your breath on a skydive. Not only would the experience of freefall be far less pleasant, but you want to ensure that you are alert, maintaining a good body position, and able to take instructions from your skydive instructor.
2. Do not take quick, shallow breaths. If you breathe in this manner, you could induce hyperventilation. It’s better to take measured, conscious deep breaths. Even while everything is rushing by during freefall, you can still focus on your breathing.

Can You Skydive With Asthma? 

While we cannot offer medical advice — and encourage you to address any concerns over skydiving with asthma to your primary care physician — we can tell you that plenty of individuals with asthma participate in tandem skydives and many even go on to become licensed skydivers. As a general rule, ask your doctor about any specific health-related skydiving questions.

Once you’ve been given a clean bill of health, contact our dropzone and come check us out. Schedule your jump with Skydive Perris today!

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If you are curious about wearing glasses or contacts while skydiving, you aren’t alone. Data gathered in 2018 from The Vision Council’s large-scale consumer survey, VisionWatch, found that there are an astounding 194.1 million adult vision correction users in the United States. Also, with approximately 2.8 million skydives completed across 200 USPA-affiliated skydiving centers across the country, it’s undeniable that many of those jumpers were making skydives while sporting some kind of vision correction, whether it be contacts or glasses. This means that there are plenty of people in the same visually impaired boat as you.

Now, it’s certainly important to be able to see while tandem skydiving or solo skydiving. After all, who would want to miss that amazing view? And, although you may be bummed about not having perfect 20/20 vision, there is no real reason your visual impairment has to keep you grounded. No one at the dropzone expects your vision to be perfect. As long as you let your skydiving instructor know prior to the jump, we’re prepared to handle the matter with special skydiving goggles.

Wearing Glasses While Skydiving

Trust us, you don’t want to miss out on these once-in-a-lifetime views. Skydiving with glasses is a pretty normal occurrence, and we have specially sized goggles that can fit over most prescription glasses. The goggles will help to keep wind and debris out of your eyes. Although skydiving goggles are usually secure, it may be a good idea to bring along an old pair/ a secondary pair of glasses.

If you plan on learning to skydive, you may grow weary of sporting goggles over your glasses. If that’s the case, it may be wise to invest in prescription skydiving goggles. Hassle-free, you just slide them on, in lieu of your glasses, as you board the plane.

Wearing Contacts While Skydiving

If you are able to choose between wearing your glasses or contacts, you may be more comfortable in the latter. Aside from being convenient (no bent frames or scratched lenses), with contacts you are able to wear the regular goggles that we provide. As these will be securely fastened for freefall, it is very rare that you will lose a contact lens while skydiving.

How Important Is Depth Perception While Skydiving?

As a tandem skydiver, you will typically follow the instructions given to you by your instructor as you come into the landing and will not have to rely upon your own depth perception. Depth perception will come more into play if you choose to learn to skydive solo.

Typically, if you have the depth perception required to legally drive, you should be able to skydive. Depth perception while learning to steer and land a canopy can be tricky, but it is that way for nearly everyone. Over time, your eyes and mind will begin to attune to the visual cues around you as they overlay with the altitude readings you receive from your altimeter.

Furthermore, depth perception can be strengthened over time by use. Even if one of your eyes is weaker than the other, the brain is a pretty clever organ and can use monocular cues (aka information from the good eye) to gauge distance.

Truly, it is peripheral vision rather than depth perception that will most often come into play as you skydive. In freefall, if you participate in relative work, you need to be aware of others as you approach a formation. While in the air flying the parachute, you need to be able to see off to your side to help maintain a safe distance while you are in the air with other canopy pilots. In short, while you can work to improve weak depth perception, peripheral vision is an absolute must if you want to pursue skydiving solo.

We can see it clear as day: you want to skydive! Ready to take in the sights? Schedule your tandem skydive with Skydive Perris today!

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The “indoor skydiving” wind tunnel is the vertical arena for one heckuva sport, amirite? Honestly, there’s so far for all of us to go once we’re in there and up to speed– and once we are, there’s quite literally nowhere to go but up. If you’re interested in getting your indoor skydiving dialed in, you came to the right place. Here’s how to get good as efficiently as possible.

1. Start before you’re 10 years old

Right, so that’s a little cheeky — but it does make sense to bring up. It’s fair to say that most of the audience for this article have logged more than a dozen years of life on the planet, but listen up: to get really good in the tunnel, starting a flying career before you hit a double-digit age really helps. Luckily, that’s a problem with a solution, at least for the next generation! Bring the kids. Children as young as three can and should experience the mad benefits the tunnel has to offer — and learning alongside you is bound to bond.

2. Don’t be afraid to show the instructor your tummy.

If you’ve been skydiving solo for quite a while, it may feel a little weird to go back to basics. That’s totally normal! You’re going to have to get comfortable with it, though, if you want to progress quickly (and safely) in the windytube. The progression is the progression for a reason: you’ll learn first belly flying, then back flying, then sit flying, then static head-down before you move on to the zoomy dynamic flying that captivates most would-be gnar-shredders.Most new tunnel fliers want to move through the progression as quickly as possible. Obviously! But take it from us (and everybody else who’s ever gotten good): respecting the progression is the only way forward. In the tunnel, there’s very little room for error, and every detail counts.

3. Team up with a great coach

Invest in your flying! If you really want to progress your skills in indoor skydiving, it’s an absolute requirement to spend a lot of time flying the tubular skies, and to do it with an excellent coach at your side. Most tunnel flying coaches suggest flying at least once a week to progress meaningfully and to keep your skills nice and sharp; with great coaching, you’ll get farther, faster with more fun.

4. Go easy on yourself

The most counterintuitive aspect of flying in the tunnel is that fact that the path to awesome leads straight through the locked gates of relaxation. If you don’t find the key to letting go of your tension, that’s the end of the road for you — and relaxing won’t feel remotely possible at the outset.

The thing to remember here is that you are not alone. Every flyer starts out carrying a lot of muscle tension. Sooner or later, one fine day, you’ll relax into the arms of the wind and you’ll suddenly feel the smoothness and efficiency that comes with it.

Until that magical moment, trust the process and go easy on yourself. To learn to fly in the vertical wind tunnel is challenging. The more and bigger you smile, the faster your skills in the tunnel will progress. And we’ll match your grin with our own!

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Have you ever hopped on the back of a motorcycle? Ridden a bicycle built for two? Gone for a piggy-back ride? Well then: you know that there’s a certain appeal in being along for the ride. That’s really the central difference between solo skydive and tandem skydiving: that, on a tandem skydive, your role will be that of an active passenger; on a solo skydive, you’ll be at the controls. Wondering which one to try first? We’ll help you figure it out.

1. Decide: Do you even want to go for a tandem?

It’s a common misconception that someone’s first skydive has to be tandem. Guess what? If you’re really keen to get started as a solo skydiver, your very first skydive can be under your own parachute–as jump number one in our incredibly professional, comprehensive and fun first solo skydiving certification course. After completing the requirements, logging 25 jumps and demonstrating comprehensive safety and flight skills you will be able to test and apply for your USPA “A” License. That’s your ticket to jump on your own (or with other experienced skydiver friends) at pretty much any skydiving facility in the world. Doesn’t that sound awesome?

2. Solo vs. Tandem: The Feels

On a tandem skydive, you’ll be securely attached to a professional skydiving instructor for the duration of your skydive. That makes most first-time jumpers a heck of a lot less nervous than they would be if they were under their own parachute (even though our solo skydiving students are accompanied in the air by rated instructors). Since you feel all the intensity of the jump in a 360-degree kinda way, solo skydiving takes the adrenaline prize, for sure.

3. Solo vs. Tandem: The Commitment

Here’s something to keep in mind, too: would-be solo skydivers, because they’re undertaking quite a challenge, need more of a briefing than tandem hopefuls. The ground school aspect of the training is significantly more comprehensive (as it obviously should be!), and walks each student through the equipment, procedures and emergency responses in a way that makes nervous new jumpers feel confident stepping up to this challenge of a lifetime.

4. Repeat After Me: This is Not Just For Crazy People

Skydiving is not a challenge that only the completely insane undertake–far from it, in fact. We’re here to tell you that skydiving is the natural next step for any adventurous soul who’s looking to find new horizons outside their comfort zone. Skydiving is just the thing for a person who’s looking to disconnect from technology and connect with real people in the real world. Of course, skydiving is just the ticket for anyone who’s keen to finally check off that bucket list item. Whether you decide to do it as half of a terrific tandem pair or go it alone (at least, with your own parachute), you’re sure to get the full benefit of the adventure.

Then don’t be a stranger! We’re looking so forward to introducing you to what we passionately believe is the greatest adventure this lifetime has to offer!

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