Get Ready For Skydiving Season

As the weather warms up and the skies clear, there’s one thing on every skydiver’s mind: jump season! Whether you’re a licensed jumper eager to dust off your gear or a first-timer ready to take your first leap of faith – now is the perfect time to prepare for skydiving season.

Before you enter the airplane and feel the rush of freefall, a little preparation goes a long way. Making sure your gear is ready, your body is in skydiving shape, and your mind is focused on safety and fun will help you prepare for an incredible skydiving season. With blue skies, great vibes, and adrenaline-pumping jumps ahead, let’s get ready to make this the best season yet!

When Does Skydiving Season Start?

For most dropzones in the United States, skydiving season usually kicks off in the spring and runs through late fall. The exact start date depends on the location of the skydiving center and weather conditions. As soon as temperatures rise and skies become favorable, skydivers will flock to the dropzone – for those who’ve been waiting all winter long, the official start of the season is an exciting time! Even for those dropzones that are open year-round, the approaching warmth of peak skydiving season is still something to celebrate. No more frozen fingers at altitude? Yes, please! 

At Skydive Orange, we are open year-round with a brief shutdown from about mid-December through mid-January. During the winter months, we are open for jumping on Saturdays. Come mid-March, we open up for Saturdays and Sundays. Starting April 1 – and that is no April Fool’s joke – we’re open Friday through Sunday as we gradually open up for the jump season. For May we jump Thursday through Sunday (weather permitting, of course), and then we’re fully operational from Wednesday through Sunday starting in June! 

You can see the exact days and times we’re open by clicking on our booking calendar.

What is a Skydiver’s Favorite Season?

There’s no doubt that a skydiver’s favorite season is skydiving season! *badum tish!* 

But when is skydiving season? Typically, skydiving season peaks between May and October – with spring offering crisp, clear skies, summer bringing long days for high-energy events, and fall delivering stunning autumn foliage for breathtaking views. Each season has its skydiving pros and cons.

What’s the best month to skydive? Some prefer May and June because of the mild climate and excitement of beginning a new season, others say July and August because of the hustle and bustle of a busy dropzone, and still others may vote for October and November because the dropzone calms down and the weather is still favorable. 

We’d be willing to bet that most skydivers would choose either June or October because of the perfect Goldielocks climate each month offers – not too hot, not too cold.

How to Get Ready for Skydiving

Whether you’re a licensed jumper looking to sharpen your skills or a first-time tandem student gearing up for your big day, here’s how to prepare for the skydiving season.

Licensed Skydivers Preparing for the Skydiving Season

Check Your Gear

Have your gear inspected (including your container system, main canopy, and reserve parachute) by an FAA-certified parachute rigger. At Skydive Orange, we have a full-service rigging loft, Paraloft, right here on-site for all of your rigging needs! If your equipment has been sitting in storage, it’s time to pull that thing out and get it cleaned and organized for the season!

You’ll also want to ensure that your altimeter, AAD, GoPro, and all other accessories are in tip-top working condition. Nobody wants to deal with having their mellow harshed with a faulty altimeter as you’re loading the airplane. Whomp whomp.

Practice Your EPs

Staying fresh and current on your emergency procedures is an essential piece of being a competent skydiver. You can practice your emergency procedures at home before the season starts and during refresher drills at the dropzone. If you have any doubts or questions about any procedures, get in touch with your local Safety and Training Advisor (S&TA) or another skydiving coach/instructor. We are a strong community that is built on keeping each other safe. We welcome any conversation that aids in that goal, any time.

Get Fit

Whether you have doubts about being able to fit in your flight suit from last year, or about having the strength to pull your toggles – it’s time to get in skydiving shape again! Start with some flexibility exercises like yoga and stretching to boost your mobility. You may also want to incorporate some strength training, particularly core strength to enhance freefall performance, canopy control, and landings.

Safety Day

It’s an absolute must as a skydiver to attend the annual United States Parachute Association (USPA) Safety Day Events held at your local skydiving center. These events help refresh skills, give you a chance to reconnect with the skydiving community, and learn from instructors about techniques, events, and any new protocols. It is wise to use this time to discuss safety improvements and best practices for the upcoming season based on USPA and FAA-regulated standards.

Safety Day is typically held on the second Saturday in March. Participating dropzones are listed on the USPA Safety Day webpage. Skydive Orange will be hosting Safety Day on March 8, 2025, at 8:00 am right here at the dropzone. Breakfast and coffee are provided for skydivers who want to attend as well as a slew of presenters and announcements, followed by several stations being set up for each topic that needs to be covered that day. 

We will even have a Stop the Bleed training hosted by the Orange County EMS at 8:00 am sharp. Once business is handled, it’s time for the fun – if the weather cooperates, we’ll get in some of our first jumps of the season with everyone! Woohoo!

First-Time Tandem Skydivers Preparing for the Season

What to Expect

Get ready for an adrenaline rush like no other! From gearing up to boarding the plane and finally leaping into the big, beautiful sky, every moment is an unforgettable adventure. Keep an open mind and lean into your instructor for guidance. You got this!

What to Wear

Dressing for skydiving is a big factor that affects not only the comfort but the safety of your jump. Choose weather-appropriate clothing that can be layered so you can add or remove layers if necessary. Keep in mind that it tends to be 30 to 40 degrees cooler up at altitude! What is more important than being climate-controlled on your skydive? Having protective footwear! Please wear closed-toe sneakers or athletic shoes that are secure to your foot. No boots, heels, slip-ons, sandals, flippy floppies … you get the idea!

Booking Tips

Prepare for the skydiving season by booking as early as possible, especially during those peak summer months. For the best weather conditions with fewer delays, choose a morning slot as the weather tends to be the most calm in the mornings. Additionally, choosing a morning slot gives you more time to get your skydive in should there be any weather delays. While there is no guarantee that you will jump on the day of your skydive (due to weather), we can all do our best to prepare.

Get Ready to Soar!

The wait is almost over – prime skydiving season is quickly approaching! Don’t let another season pass you by. This is your time! Slots are now available and ready to be reserved for you and your crew – book your jump today and come fly with us! Blue skies!