Skydiving is something that tends to be on a lot of people’s bucket lists including mine. I love adventure and am not afraid of heights so the idea of sky diving has been appealing to me for a long time. During my sophomore year in college I befriended an equally adventurous girl and we decided that we would go sky diving together. We were attending CSUMB (California State University Monterey Bay) at the time and found Skydive Monterey Bay in the city of Marina near the campus. Looking back I am so pleased that we chose to sky dive in Marina because we had such a spectacular view of Monterey Bay.
My friend and I went to Skydive Monterey Bay in person since it was so close to campus and we signed up to sky dive the following day. Since we were in college and not working at the time we didn’t have too much extra money so we chose to jump at 10,000 ft as it was the cheapest option. Even though it was the cheapest option it still cost us around $150 which has now increased to $179. You can purchase a video/photograph package for an extra $99 per person which we declined. As much as I would have loved pictures of me while skydiving my before and after pictures a friend took are enough.
The next day we went back to Skydive Monterey Bay and began filling out the paperwork. Before you will be able to sky dive you will need to sign a waiver since there is the possibility that something could go wrong. You are jumping out of an airplane which is a risky adventure so be sure you are aware of what you are getting in to. After filling out your paperwork you will wait for about an hour before your flight. During that hour you will watch a tandem sky diving video and don’t worry the video isn’t an hour long. My friend and I sat at a table waiting for a while during which I started to get some butterflies in my stomach but I never thought about backing out.
When your name is called the person who will be tandem sky diving with you will go over instructions for the jump. Your instructor will explain what the experience will be like and most importantly what the free fall and landing will be like. Be sure to pay close attention to what they say to ensure the most enjoyable experience. Once they have finished going over all of the important information you will get your harness. Some sky diving locations will give you a jumpsuit to wear but my friend and I only had to put on a harness and goggles.
Finally, after all of your waiting you will make your way to a small airplane. I was seated close to the door that we would jump out of which meant that I would be jumping first. The plane reached 10,000 so quickly that I was shocked when I was told it was time. My recommendation would be to jump first if possible because the longer you wait the longer you have to freak out and talk yourself out of it. Once I was standing on the edge of the plane getting ready to jump I thought I would be freaking but I was surprisingly calm and very excited. I still can’t believe that as I was standing on the edge of an airplane waiting to jump at 10,000 ft all of my nerves went away.
Within seconds we were free falling which is unlike any experience I have ever had in my life. The free fall was exhilarating and while it can be the scariest part it is over before you know it. Once the free fall has ended the rest of your decent can be really peaceful. As I floated down to the ground I used that time to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery. I had the biggest smile on my face and was so proud that I could mark this item off my bucket list.
I know that sky diving is not for everyone but if you are thinking about it I want to encourage you to do it. While I think going sky diving with a friend is a great option I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on this incredible experience just because they are the only one they know who wants to do it. Even if your friends and family don’t want to join in on the fun they can come and watch you. Make sure that you wear comfortable clothing and closed toe athletic shoes. Pick a sky diving location that will provide you with an incredible view so that you can get the most out of your experience. Sky diving is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Once you decide that you would like to do it my recommendation would be to do it as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more likely you are to continue putting it off until you change your mind. Give yourself a deadline saying that you will go sky diving by the time you are a certain age. Would you ever go skydiving?
I could never be brave enough to do this LOL. Glad you got to have fun :)
You have far more courage than I! My husband has done it, but I would never do it. Too scary to me!
You’re so brave I could never skydive
What an incredible experience I would love to go skydiving one day it would be such a wonderful experience!
I’m so jealous! I have wanted to do this for so long, but I know zero people that want to do it with me, and I just feel like it would be more fun doing it with someone.
I never thought I’d be the type to skydive but after the rush I got zip-lining last year I think I might love to try it. It seems scary but worth it. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I have this on my bucket list, but I think I am too afraid to try it. I should definitely just go for it, yeah? It’s so exciting!
I don’t know if I have the courage to skydive. Looks like you had a lot of fun. I can just imagine your excitement. Thanks for sharing.
What a great experience. I don’t think I would ever go sky diving. I’m too chicken and my body probably wouldn’t like it. Lol
Wow!! How brave! I couldn’t do it, but my son has!! Good for you!
I feel so jealous, i wanted to try that but i don’t have a chance you had an awesome experience
I am even too scared to write this on my bucket list! :) Good on you!
Well good for you! I work in aircraft maintenance and we always say “why jump out of a perfectly good airplane?” Ha ha!
I don’t have a bucket list, but I don’t think this would be something on it. I’m afraid of heights.
Oh no that is so not on any bucket list of mine. It is right up there with bungee jumping and those things….Good luck
Yesss!!!! Skydiving is definitely on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing, I got butterflies in my stomach just reading about it. :) I’m not sure if I’m going to get to it this year, but I’m going to get to it. Would you go skydiving again?
I haven’t thought about doing it again but if I did I would love to do it in Hawaii
i think you should go for it. yes, it will be scary but i don’t think you would regret it at all
I never try this adventure, but i wanted too and i think it was a memorable experience for me,
As a skydiver, I love seeing posts like this. One thing I always tell people is tip your tandem instructor. Most instructors do not have second jobs or health insurance and the $20 they get per jump is what they live off of.
Hawaii sounds like an incredible place to go sky diving! I’m going to do, I think I put the dream on hold because of my daughter. After she was born I decided to hold off until she was older. I’m going to do it though, maybe she’ll do it with me when she’s old enough.
OH heck yes, I definitely want to do this. I’m less afraid of heights the older I get, so I’m not worried about it at all. The dropping sensation will be scary, but I still want to do it!
You’re so brave! I could never do this, it terrifies me just thinking about it! I’m glad you had a great experience!
This is so cool!! My husband has sky diving in his bucket list so I will be passing this to him, thanks for sharing your experience!!
Oh my, what an experience. I’m not sure if I can do this.
Wow, you’re so brave! I don’t think I could ever go skydiving but I think it’s awesome that you did!
I would love to try something like that. They have a sky diving school near where I live. I’ve always wanted to try it. My husband is afraid of heights though so I’m not sure if he will do it.
Sounds fun and very challenging.. I don’t think I can do this :(
I may pee myself while in the sky, but I would love to go sky diving.
I’ve never been skydiving before and never want to go. I am way too afraid of heights! Way to go for you doing it though!!!
Oh my, you’re brave! I could never do this. I’m sure the experience is thrilling and the view must be spectacular, but…no, not for me!
Oh, this looks like so much fun. I would love to do this.