Top Reasons to go Indoor Skydiving

Skydiving and indoor skydiving have become two sides of the same coin over the years. As a matter of fact, one would be hard-pressed to find a skydiver strutting around Skydive Orange who hasn’t been in a wind tunnel. Why do people like indoor skydiving? Let’s explore the top five reasons why folks choose to take flight inside and discover what to expect from indoor skydiving in the process.

1. Indoor Skydiving Helps You Prepare for Your First Jump

Indoor skydiving facilities, also known as vertical wind tunnels, are designed to simulate the freefall portion of the skydiving experience without having to go in an actual airplane or jump from any height. Wind tunnel skydiving is a great way for you to dip your toes in the wind before taking the plunge on a tandem skydive.

The wind speeds generated in the wind tunnel help mimic the feeling of freefall while requiring less ground preparation. While indoor skydiving has its own kind of excitement and thrill, it may offer some less intimidating pre-jump factors, such as riding an airplane to altitude and, ya know, jumping out of it mid-flight. 

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, or are a skydiving student looking to train for your first jump, using the wind tunnel to prepare for your first tandem or first solo jump is a wonderful way to get yourself acclimated to the awesome sensations of freefall. This can help you focus on even more epic things to come in your skydiving experience like canopy flight, exiting, and the awe-inspiring view! After the wind tunnel, you’ll be ready to fly!

2. Indoor Skydiving Quickly Improves Freefall Skills

For skydivers of all levels, from students to experienced skydivers, the wind tunnel is a powerful training tool for learning new skills or fine-tuning existing skills. With proper wind tunnel coaching from an instructor, you can take your flying skills to the next level – it’s one of the greatest benefits of indoor skydiving.

On a real-deal skydive, the average exit altitude offers anywhere from 40 to 60 seconds of freefall time – then you have to land, pack your parachute, and wait for your next turn to board the aircraft and jump again (which can sometimes take hours). Whereas, in the tunnel, you can fly as much as you want to pay for! 

In the wind tunnel, most skydivers will fly in 5, 10, and 15-minute increments within a 30-minute block, taking breaks in between each flight. A 15-minute block of tunnel time is equivalent to 15 skydives!! And all being completed within 30 minutes! Completing 15 outdoor skydives within an entire day is pretty hard to do. 

Whether you are currently going through the Accelerated Freefall Program (AFF) at Skydive Orange, wanting to tweak your bodyflight skills, or are starting to dabble in the competition skydiving scene, indoor skydiving is a great way to help you meet your outdoor skydiving goals. Even world champion skydivers use the wind tunnel as a great learning tool!

3. Indoor Skydiving Is Great for Date Night

Is indoor skydiving a good date? Heck yeah! Imagine the impression you would make if you took your significant other indoor skydiving – they would be blown away (pun intended)! Indoor skydiving has increasingly become a popular choice for couples seeking unique and adrenaline-pumping experiences.

Indoor skydiving offers an exhilarating experience that can create an instant and memorable bond between partners. Unlike traditional dinner or movie dates, indoor skydiving provides a one-of-a-kind adventure that stands out and offers a chance to break free from the ordinary. 

There are no prerequisites to indoor skydiving (except filling out a waiver) and it’s available to all skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or a frequent flyer. Couples are driven to show support and encourage each other, offering a deeper sense of connection and trust. Besides, indoor skydiving is a ton of fun!

4. Indoor Skydiving is for Children as Young as Three

Another reason to go indoor skydiving is because you can’t go outdoor skydiving … YET! Any United States Parachute Association (USPA) dropzone requires an age limit of 18 years old to go skydiving. Most indoor skydiving facilities allow children as young as three years old to fly in the wind tunnel (with parent/guardian approval, of course). 

So, if your kiddo wants to skydive but isn’t quite old enough, take them to the tunnel! Tons of future skydivers use the wind tunnel as a great training tool to get their flying skills ready for when they are old enough to skydive. It’s impressive to see the advanced maneuvers they can perform once they are finally old enough to hit the skies. They’ll start their skydiving journey with the same (if not better) skills of someone with hundreds and sometimes even thousands of jumps.

5. Indoor Skydiving Doesn’t Rely on Weather

The chance to skydive is always dependent on the weather, and who knows on any given day whether the weather will cooperate? It’s the most frustrating aspect of our sport. We want to get you up in the air as quickly as possible! However, safety trumps all when it comes to skydiving. 

But weather is simply not a factor with wind tunnel skydiving. You can enjoy indoor skydiving rain, shine, or snow. This is why on weather days, we head to the tunnel! But you best believe as soon as the skies turn blue and the weather is looking jumpable, we will be back at the dropzone.

Is Indoor Skydiving Safe?

Sure, indoor skydiving offers a more controlled environment than outdoor skydiving, and you’re only several feet off the ground instead of several thousand feet – but just like with skydiving, indoor skydiving comes with a certain amount of risk.  

The types of injuries we typically see with indoor skydiving, though, are bumps and bruises from colliding with the tunnel walls or with other flyers. These can generally be avoided by listening to your instructor and by taking things slowly if you learn advanced indoor skydiving techniques and maneuvers. 

Just like with tandem skydiving, you have a certified instructor with you at all times. In the wind tunnel, though, they are by your side rather than on your back, and you’re able to hear them while you’re in simulated freefall – you definitely can’t hear your instructor while freefalling in the sky! Wind tunnel instructors help you fly and know how to catch you if you get out of control. 

Is Indoor Skydiving Worth it?

If you’re looking for a fun experience that gives you a glimpse of what it feels like to fall through the skies – indoor skydiving is absolutely worth it! It’s affordable, accessible, and downright addictive!

Are Ready to show off your wind tunnel flight skills? Book a skydive with Skydive Orange and discover the difference between simulated and natural freefall! Blue skies.