Learn to Skydive: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started

You tasted human flight on your first tandem skydive, and now you’ve caught the bug – you’re ready to learn to skydive and take the next step. We know how you feel! The sky is an irresistible playground, and once you’ve been up there, you never forget it. To learn to skydive and become a certified skydiver, you’ll need to follow a structured training program designed to teach you the necessary skills and knowledge for safe solo jumps. But is learning to skydive worth it? Skydiving training is pretty intense, and the commitment goes far beyond just taking a skydiving course. Let’s dig into the details of why we skydive and how to make it happen!

Why Learn to Skydive?

We know it sounds a bit biased coming from us, but skydiving is one of the most worthwhile things you can do in life! There’s a reason our first tandem led us down the path to becoming instructors, riggers, and dropzone owners! For many of us, the decision to learn to skydive became a life-changing choice that opened up new worlds of confidence, adventure, and purpose.

Why do people choose to skydive? Skydiving opens doors like no other hobby or career can. You’ll meet new people, travel the world, and acquire mental and physical skills all in the name of making more jumps. It often comes down to risk vs reward, and the people who become skydivers have decided that the payoffs far outweigh the risks. 

And that’s because skydiving enriches lives in so many ways. So, what does skydiving teach you? You’ll gain self-confidence, goal setting, situational awareness, communication skills, and physical aptitude. 

How to Get Skydiving Certified

Once you’ve decided to learn to skydive, the next step is understanding the certification process and the path toward becoming a licensed skydiver. Skydiving is a highly regulated sport with lots of checks and balances. We even have an organization – the United States Parachute Association (USPA) – that sets the rules and oversees licensing certifications. 

Getting certified to skydive isn’t as simple as taking a course and making a few jumps – you’ll need to complete a very regimented student program that includes ground school, student jumps, freefall and canopy flight training, and skills and knowledge tests. 

Only then will you be granted a USPA A License. And from there, you’ll have the opportunity to earn higher licenses, acquire instructor ratings, and train in multiple disciplines that make up the wider world of skydiving. 

But don’t worry, every step of the way is guided by a highly experienced instructor and a staff of people who can’t wait to welcome you into our world! 

Tandem Skydiving: Your First Step

The very first step to becoming a certified skydiver is to make your first jump (duh)! And that first jump will be a tandem skydive.

But even your first jump isn’t just a carnival ride – you are an active participant in every phase of the skydive, from exiting the airplane to landing back on the ground. Your instructor will take you through a quick ground training that will cover everything you need to know for a successful jump, but it doesn’t end there. The things you learn on this very first jump will be the foundation for everything you need to know about skydiving going forward! 

You’ll get a chance to learn the most important skydiving position, the arch, and practice it in real time with the benefit of having a professional attached to you while you learn. You’ll get to see how the gear works, what freefall feels like, and how to complete a successful canopy flight. 

From there, you’ll have a good idea of what skydiving entails and if it’s something you truly want to pursue solo! 

Ground School Training & First Solo Jumps

Things get serious once you commit to chasing that skydiving license – skydiving school is in session! This is when you enter what’s known as the Accelerated Freefall, or AFF, program. The process starts with a ground school session that covers what you need to learn and know for your very first solo jumps. 

The AFF course covers emergency procedures, equipment, freefall techniques, canopy flight skills, landing priorities, and more. Think of it as a crash course… so you don’t crash! From there, you’ll start your student jumps with AFF instructors who will prep you on the ground and fly with you in the air. These jumps are technically solo, but your instructors will be there to guide you and assist you if needed. 

Once you’ve completed at least 25 jumps, passed all the required skills and knowledge assessments, and proven that you’re capable of flying alone, congratulations: you’re now a USPA A license holder! This is where you truly learn to skydive on your own terms — building skill, trust, and independence with every jump.

Skydiving as a Skill & Sport

Now the real fun starts! As a USPA A license holder, you can travel anywhere and jump with anyone in the world. This is where your identity as a skydiver starts to take shape. Will you focus on freefall skills or canopy flight? Will you become a wingsuiter? An instructor? A professional competitor? Or is skydiving just your stress relief after a long week of work? 

You can choose to focus on one discipline or dabble a little in everything. Some skydivers become very serious professionals, and the sport becomes their career. Others find camaraderie and mental wellness in weekend getaways with other jumpers. Skydiving is what you make of it, and if done right, it can be a lifelong journey that evolves and grows with you. 

Ready to Start Your Skydiving Journey?

Every skydiver started with a single tandem jump before committing to learn to skydive — and you can too. Reach out with any questions, or book your life-changing skydive with us today!