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- Tandem Skydiving Experiences in South Africa
Tandem Skydiving Experiences in South Africa
- MAY 2, 2019
- Category : GUIDES
- WRITTEN BY: Admin
Skydiving is one of those extreme sports that seems ridiculously unachievable, expensive, risky, and terrifying, but in reality is the complete opposite (except maybe the terrifying bit). That’s what’s so great about it, because it is a ridiculous thing to do, yet it couldn’t be easier to accomplish, and doesn’t have to bankrupt you in the process. Plus, because you have a professional instructor strapped to your back, you don’t actually have to do much – just enjoy the ride and let them do all the hard work!
Whether it’s to celebrate an occasion, raise money for charity, or tick off a bucket list item, tandem skydiving is one of those activities that everyone fears, but everyone loves once it’s over – and is guaranteed to impress all your friends and family. We’re dedicated to proving that skydiving is achievable for anyone, so we’ve put together this article to highlight our favourite tandem skydive providers in the country, complete with descriptions, prices, and how to book the ultimate adrenaline experience. Now there’s no excuse!
We understand that leaping out of a plane is a daunting endeavour, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the restrictions of skydiving, or simply want more information before you commit. We’d also love to hear from you if you’ve already completed a skydive and want to share your story, or if you know of other providers that we’ve missed – just use the comment form below and we’ll get back to you right away. But for now, let’s strap on our goggles, zip up the skydive suit, and prepare for take-off!
History of Skydiving
First things first, let’s talk about where this insane sport came from, because surely the first person to think jumping from an extreme height with a piece of fabric attached to their back was crazy, right? Well, the world’s first parachute was invented by André-Jacques Garnerin, and he was a prisoner of war for three years, so that’s bound to do strange things to your mind. Yet without him, we wouldn’t have parachuting as a recreational activity, a means of military deployment, or a safety measure for those working in dangerous circumstances (such as aircraft pilots or extreme slackliners).
Retro card, Garnerin Descending in the clouds
In 1797, Garnerin successfully jumped from a hydrogen balloon over Paris, plunging 3,200ft before safely touching down and sparking a revolution in controlled descents. Things really took off (literally) when aeroplanes were invented, however, as they provided an accurate means of determining the jump location, and paved the way for the skydiving industry we know today. In the last fifty years or so, safety regulations and equipment have become so advanced that professional skydivers realised there was potential for a new tourism angle – tandem skydiving. Because the instructor does all the tricky stuff, anyone within the correct height and weight limits can have a go with the most basic of training. Tandem skydiving is now a hugely popular activity, with people flocking to the most beautiful parts of the world to experience the landscapes from a bird’s eye view – including South Africa.
Feel like you want to try it out but are still a little unsure? Perfectly understandable, which is why in the next section we cover some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding tandem skydiving.
Tandem Skydiving FAQs
You’ll find a Frequently Asked Questions section on all skydiving provider websites, so be prepared for the answers to change slightly depending on the company you book with. That said, we’ve covered some of the most common queries below to give you a little peace of mind.
Can you breathe while skydiving?
The answer to this one is simple; yes! For a lot of first-time skydivers, one of the main issues with breathing is that they simply forget. To overcome this, Skydive Tecumseh recommends inhaling before exit then letting all the air out of your lungs as you drop into freefall – check out their handy breathing guide for more information.
How long does a skydive last?
This will of course depend on the height from which you jump, which is usually somewhere between 10,000 – 18,000ft above sea level. Many people are surprised by just how quickly a skydive takes to complete, but when you think about the fact that the first 30-60 seconds or so are completely unaffected by resistance, it makes more sense that the ride down is a lot quicker than the journey up. On average, the initial flight will take around 25 minutes, the freefall period will last around 30-60 seconds, and the parachuting section will take approximately 5-7 minutes.
Should I eat before skydiving?
As with any recreational sport or physical activity; yes you should eat before participating. Food ensures your blood sugar level is up and you have the energy to execute the jump, which is far more enjoyable when you’re alert than if you’re light-headed and woozy. According to Skydive Jersey, one of the most common misconceptions surrounding skydiving is that it makes you feel sick, so many students fast before attending in the hope that they won’t succumb to nausea. But this is the opposite of what you should do! Eat a normal meal before your allotted time, and maybe bring some snacks to the airfield too, as you may have to wait around for a while – which brings us to our next question…
Is skydiving affected by the weather?
Although the parachutes have pulley systems that can control your speed and direction, they’re not enough to combat particularly adverse weather conditions, so even if you’re booked to jump at 8am, you may find your actual jump time is a lot later in the day, or even another day altogether. Our advice is; set aside an entire day for your skydive. Even if the weather forecast is looking good, you’re not a professional skydiver, and therefore don’t know what ideal conditions look like to freefall from a plane. Trust your instructor, and maybe don’t make commitments for the rest of the day.
Is skydiving dangerous?
Last but not least, the most frequently asked question of them all. Like with any extreme sport, there are risks involved. But there are also risks involved with driving a car, swimming in the ocean, or any number of regular activities that we do so often we don’t even see the danger anymore. The problem with skydiving is that it’s completely outside the comfort zone of the average person, so we inherently don’t trust the system. But because it’s an extreme sport and because the instructors are taking responsibility for someone else’s life, the safety measures are unlike any other physical activity in the world. Solo skydive accidents are rare, and tandem skydiving accidents are even less common! It’s just like when people say aeroplanes are the safest form of travel; the higher the risk, the more stringent the safety procedure.
Where Can I Go Skydiving in South Africa?
Hopefully we’ve put your mind at ease and you’re feeling more confident about the prospect of a tandem skydive, so read on to discover the best places to skydive in South Africa!
Plettenberg BayAs the name may suggest, Skydive Plett operate a tandem skydiving school out of Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape. What makes these guys special is that participants get a choice of height and landing zone; choose from either 10,000 or 12,000ft, and touch down either back at the airfield or on the beach in front of awestruck on-lookers! Ranging from R2,500 to R3,750 depending on which one you go for, these experiences are suitable for a variety of budgets and thrill levels, so you’re guaranteed to find a skydiving package that’s right for you. Whichever you choose, you’ll be in safe hands as you ascend to the drop-point, and be rewarded with incredible views of the Robberg peninsula and Plettenberg Bay coastline far below you. Then it’s 3, 2, 1… jump! Reaching terminal velocity of around 200kph, you won’t have time to get your head around what’s just happened before the parachute opens and you leisurely drift back to earth, experiencing an otherworldly sensation of flying.
If this sounds like an adventure for you or you know someone who would love to tandem skydive in Plettenberg Bay, then purchase gift certificates online here.
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Price:
From R2,500 -
Minimum age:
None -
Maximum weight:
100kg -
Website:
www.skydiveplett.com
GrahamstownMoving further along the coast to Eastern Cape brings us to Skydive Jeffreys Bay, a school that prides itself in only hiring instructors who have completed at least 1,000 jumps each. Safety is at the core of everything they do, and with a choice of 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000ft jump heights, you can pick the skydive that’s right for you. Once you’ve booked your slot and made your way to the airfield (hard part over), your experience will begin with some paperwork, a training session on hand signals and body positioning, and a goggles and flightsuit fitting. The flight up to altitude takes around 20 minutes, then you’re off! From this height you can marvel at stunning views of Grahamstown and Jeffreys Bay, freefalling for around twenty seconds before releasing the canopy and spending five minutes parachuting down, finally understanding what all the fuss is about. Skydive Jeffreys Bay also offer video and photo packages so you can keep the memories forever – and show off to your friends!
You can find gift certificates for the 9,000 and 11,000ft tandem skydives on our website here.
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Price:
From R2,200 -
Minimum age:
16 -
Maximum weight:
100kg -
Website:
www.skydivejeffreysbay.co.za
ParysYou may start to notice a pattern with the names of these skydive companies… Skydive Parys is next on our list, offering epic tandem skydives with a video and photo package thrown in for good measure. Situated just outside of Johannesburg, Skydive Parys operates from Parys Airfield in Free State, one of the closest tandem skydive locations to the Gauteng area, and nestled in the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Area. After the usual safety briefing and training session, the aircraft will ascend to 10,000ft and you’ll be witness to some of the best views of the world’s biggest asteroid crater imaginable. But you’ll only have a few minutes to breathe it all in before you take the plunge! Straddling two provinces, you’ll be able to see the Vaal River stretching into the distance separating North West from Free State, and as you glide back down to earth your instructor will happily point out other points of interest and famous landmarks. Plus, once it’s over you’ll have a video to take home with you!
Find out more information and purchase gift certificates for the Parys tandem skydive here.
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Price:
From R2,500 -
Minimum age:
18 -
Maximum weight:
100kg -
Website:
www.skydiveparys.co.za
Barberton, MpumalangaOur final pick for the most scenic skydiving experiences in South Africa comes from Skydive Kruger, offering stunning and unforgettable tandem skydives over Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga. Upon arrival at the airfield, the instructors will talk you through what to expect from the flight and the various hand signals you’ll need to know during the jump. These guys have years of experience under their belts so don’t worry if you’re a little nervous, you’re in safe hands. Once the aircraft has reached altitude and the side door is opened, your tandem partner will shuffle to the edge and dangle your legs over – and that’s it! All you have to do is enjoy the ride and try to spot as many of the Big 5 as possible, this is Kruger National Park after all. After five minutes of parachuting you’ll touch back down near the airfield, and be presented with a video of your experience so you can remember it forever. This may be one of the more expensive tandem skydives in South Africa, but it’s definitely worth it for the view!
Purchase gift certificates for the Kruger tandem skydive on our website here.
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Price:
From R3,300 -
Minimum age:
25 -
Maximum weight:
100kg -
Website:
www.skydivekruger.co.za
“Those Who Don’t Jump Will Never Fly”
And so we’ve reached the end of our tandem skydiving article, hopefully answering all your anxious questions and providing some great inspiration for your first jump. It’s common knowledge that skydiving is scary until it’s over, then everyone says it’s the best thing they’ve ever done – the hard part is making the booking and getting yourself over to the airfield! If our article hasn’t been enough to ease your mind, however, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information and we’ll gladly talk you through the process in more detail. For now though, it’s goodbye from us!
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