Skydiving can be a pleasant activity: between the thrills it provides and the adrenaline rush, it is a demanding activity and is not accessible to everyone due to many factors. Regardless of your will, you can be banned from practicing even though you admire this entertainment.
However, for amateurs and practitioners of free fall, you need to know the places where this activity is practiced and the arrangements to make. This article tells you everything you need to know for a parachute jump
Where to skydive?
Skydiving is an unforgettable moment because it doesn’t happen very often. For thrill-seekers, it’s a leisure activity like so many others. However, it is a moment that most people decide to experience. If in some cases you need training, in other cases you can jump freely with the accompaniment of an instructor.
So that you can find a place that suits you, here we offer several places that will leave you with a better memory of your skydive.
The best spots for better skydiving
There are several places to make your jump. Some people prefer places and others don’t. The list is not exhaustive and depending on taste, you may have a preference for a skydiving club.
Gap, Hautes-Alpes
From its full name Gap-Tallard, the Gap is a region located in the Hautes-Alpes with fairly pleasant weather throughout the year. In France, this region is the largest free fall drop zone and a reference in skydiving. It’s a place that gives you an epic experience.
To make your parachute jump, you start at the Gap airfield. You will fly over a marvelous landscape made up of Dévoluy to the north, the Céüse mountain to the west and Lake Serre-Ponçon to the east. Note that this region is a world-famous spot.
Soulac-sur-Mer
Located near Bordeaux, it is a place that offers you an impressive panoramic view. You have a view of the effects of the sea waves and the beach scenery. Soulac-sur-Mer is attached to the Côte d’Argent. A very favorable geographical location for the beauty of the view.
To make your parachute jump, you start at the Runde aerodrome. When you make your jump, you have a view of the Atlantic Ocean. For jumping enthusiasts, they will be able to enjoy it while it lasts. But for the unaccustomed, the effects of the adrenaline rush and the imminent descent can prevent you from being focused on the view this seascape offers you. The particularity of this place is that you can land after your jump with your feet in the sand of the beach.
How much does a skydive cost?
There are several types of parachute jumps. The price of a parachute jump therefore depends on the type of jump you want to do.
Tandem jump
Tandem skydiving is a jump that allows you to experience skydiving without having to worry about safety issues. Indeed, before the jump, a debrief is given on the skydiving arsenal followed by boarding. In this type of jump, it is important to stay close to your instructor and follow the advice he gives you. It is with him that you take the leap. It means you are hooked on him.
Also called free fall baptism, it is intended for people making their first jump. Its cost is between €230 and €270 depending on the altitude.
Jump progression accompanied by fall (PAC)
The PAC parachute jump is an introduction to skydiving that teaches you how to make a jump yourself and deploy your parachute. It is a modern method that allows you to achieve autonomy in the practice of free fall jumping in a short time. Your training in the air is provided by two instructors who are responsible for your safety and teach you the correct arrangements and postures in free fall. The price of this training is on average €300 to €500. Your training lasts a few hours at an altitude of 4000 meters. You perform several jumps.
The automatic opening jump
Priced between €175 and €200, the parachute jump with automatic opening is the cheapest in the category. In fact, it consists of an automatic opening of your parachute at low altitude. It is suitable for the first solo parachute jump. This gives you a fairly pleasant experience due to the feeling of falling which is less strong. Typically you jump from 1100 meters above sea level.
The Accompanied Progression in Fall (PAC) course
The accompanied fall progression course is a complete training course that allows you to make independent parachute jumps. So with this training you can jump alone, without the help of an instructor as soon as your training ends. Unlike the PAC jump, the course can last several days. The training takes place in several phases. The practical phase and the intense theoretical phase. The theory is important because it teaches you how to hold in the air and the actions to take for your safety.
It is possible for you to do a PAC internship between €1000 and €1500 for a classic internship. The A certificate will cost you around €2000. Costs may vary depending on training centers
Is there a maximum weight?
Skydiving is an activity that is done in the open atmosphere. That being said, it is obvious that during a jump the weight has a direct impact on the skydiver’s falling speed. Gravity and gravity have an impact on a person’s fall. The more weight you have, the faster you fall. The less you have, the more your fall time is increased.
Note that when you jump in pairs, i.e. a tandem jump, your fall will be rapid. This is why tandem jumps are equipped with sails to allow stabilization of the fall and a slower descent. But parachute jumps are regulated by regulations regarding weight for safety reasons. There are therefore minimum and maximum weight limits set by leisure establishments which are partners of discovery sports.
Minimum weight limits
The minimum weight required for a skydive may vary depending on the instructor. When it comes to tandem skydiving, the minimum weight is 40 kg. This is one of the reasons which prohibits children from accessing this type of entertainment. On the other hand, the minimum limits can vary depending on several factors including the physical condition of the person, the weather conditions and their state of health.
Maximum weight limits
The purpose of the weight limit for skydiving is to ensure the safety of passengers. This assumes that the instructor will take into account your physique and your health. In some cases, the monitor takes body mass index into account. However, some skydiving centers work on a case-by-case basis. As for the weight limit when it comes to a tandem jump, it is 100 kg. This can be 85 kg in some clubs or 110 kg. It is therefore obvious that the weight can vary from one structure to another.
Body Mass Index is important to be able to skydive. This is because BMI is a correlation between your height and your weight. For example, if you are 1m75 tall and 75kg you have a good BMI than someone who has the same weight and a much smaller height. The low Body Mass Index allows you to have a much less dangerous fall and resistance to friction.
The passenger’s weight determines their strength and stability during the fall. The IMC is in this element which allows the clubs to be fixed on the course of action to take. The safety of the parachutist and his instructor is at stake. A written indication is present in skydiving clubs to indicate the constraints linked to the weight and size of the passenger.
From and until what age?
Skydiving is a thrilling activity that could interest many people. We might therefore wonder how old you need to be to do it. Indeed, be aware that if there is no age limit for skydiving, there is a minimum age for doing it: only from 15 years old. This age is required because of the minimum weight required for a jump. The weight being 40 kg it is therefore logical that all children at this age do not weigh this much.
Also, note that the lack of a maximum age limit does not allow everyone to do this activity. If you have a heart or epileptic problem, you will not be able to do it. It is therefore recommended that people capable of doing this experience request a medical certificate. The certificate is mandatory for children between 15 and 18 years old. They must also have parental authorization signed by both parents. It is a sine qua non condition.
How to dress when skydiving?
Skydiving is a high altitude activity. It is advisable to dress warmly due to the temperature which can be negative. But in general, you can adapt your clothing depending on the ground temperature. If it’s hot, you can wear casual clothing: shorts and a t-shirt. When it’s cold, remember to cover up properly and wear gloves if possible. Because you can quickly catch a cold.
Some skydivers prefer to admire the atmosphere while feeling the wind passing through their hair or feet. This is not a problem. The ideal is to wear clothes that do not bother you during your jump. You can put on a sports outfit for example. During your jump, your instructor will be able to give you the necessary clothing instructions to perform your jump with ease.
Are there any contraindications?
Skydiving requires certain essential parameters to ensure your safety. This involves contraindications. Indeed, there are several types of contraindications when it comes to skydiving. Some are permanent and others permanent. Jumping is contraindicated for pregnant women, people with prostheses and accident victims who have suffered fractures, etc.
You are prohibited from free falling if you have heart problems, epilepsy and suffer from high blood pressure. Also when you suffer from pulmonary diseases or asthma, chronic or acute ear disease, neurological disorder, drug addiction, alcoholism, head trauma, after-effects of surgery, obesity severe or other illness requiring heavy medical treatment.
It is advisable to have a medical examination and seek the advice of your doctor before making a reservation for a skydive.
Skydiving schools
There are a variety of skydiving schools. The French Skydiving Federation has listed all the skydiving schools available on French territory. These schools have been classified by leagues, some of which we will cite:
The Auvergne Rhone-Alpes skydiving league
Here there are several skydiving clubs:
- CSA-E.P.A 749
- C.D.P. OF THE LOIRE
- ASPL/CEP OF SAINT ETIENNE SAINT GALMIER
- PARA CLUB ROANNAIS
- PARA CLUB DU PUY
- CLERMONT SKYDIVING
- CSA DE LA VALBONNE
- PARA CLUB AURILLAC
- GRENOBLE PARACHUTE SCHOOL CENTER
- ISERE PARACHUTE CD
- FREE AIR ASSOCIATION
- SARL SAVOIE PARACHUTISM
- C.D.P. FROM HIGH SAVOY
- ANNECY FLIGHT OF SLOPE
- VIRAGE ANNECY CLUB PARAGLIDING SCHOOL
- CSA 27E BCA
- DOME ZONE
- RHONE PARACHUTE CD
- LYON-CORBAS PARACHUTE SCHOOL
- CSA OF THE HIGH MOUNTAIN MILITARY SCHOOL
The Burgundy-Franche-Comte skydiving league
There are also several schools in this region. It is:
- CSA DU 511E RG DU TRAIN
- EP NORD FRANCHE COMTE
- BESANCON FRANCHE-COMTE PARACHUTE SCHOOL
- MONTBELIARD SKYDIVING
- CHALON SKYDIVING
- SPORTS AND LEISURE CLUB OF THE AUTUN MILITARY LYCEE
- PARIS JUMP
- MILITARY CSA OF BESANCON
- BFC SKYDIVING
- SARL PARIS NEVERS SKYDIVING CENTER
- SAONE ET LOIRE PARACHUTE CD
- PARA CLUB ASCENSIONEL CHAROLAIS BRIONNAIS ST YAN
- EURL ANGEL SKYDIVING
Learn to skydive
Find an address to make your first parachute jump
So, now that you are reassured, are you tempted by your first parachute jump? If this is the case, contact as soon as possible Adrenactive, a site specializing in booking sessions for thrilling sports, including of course skydiving. Thanks to this site listing a large number of good deals allowing you to go for a first parachute jump – or a second… – anywhere in the metropolitan area, you will inevitably find a way to experience these thrills. It is also on this website that you will have the possibility to reserve a place for an introduction to skydiving, such as you would like to offer to one of your loved ones for their birthday. There is even the possibility, when you make your very first jump, of having your photo taken, or even having a video as a souvenir. So all you have to do is choose the date and location!
Skydiving: a wonderful gift
You must know that skydiving is a gift for thrill seekers and if the person who will soon blow out their candles is of this type, there is no need to hesitate for a single second; you have to offer him a parachute jump absolutely ! You will see that you will not regret it, she will be so thrilled when she opens the envelope containing this invitation to board a plane. The thrills she will feel and the experience she will tell you about it will alone be worth the choice you made of her offer a parachute jump. Happiness depends on little things, so if you are looking for an idea that will really please someone you love, you should choose this gift idea that is skydiving.