One of the most popular adrenaline-pumping experiences is the thrilling adventure of skydiving. The hobby is known to get quite costly, but despite that, millions of people dream about jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet for that rush of adrenaline at least once in their lifetime.
There are several different reasons why skydiving is worth the price, and I am going to list them all! First, let me go over the costs and risks and if they have any effect on the worthiness of the activity.
Is Skydiving Worth the Money?
Skydiving is going to cost you a bit more than your typical movie ticket on a Friday night. The latest hit movie may provide a couple of hours of entertainment, but skydiving offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Despite the high cost, skydiving is an entirely different experience, unlike anything else a person could set out to do. After I turned 18, my ultimate goal was to go skydiving, which I could accomplish just two weeks after my birthday. After paying the 200 dollars for the trip (which included video and pictures), I created an unforgettable memory.
For those looking for a cheaper skydiving experience, tandem jumps are the way to go. I went nearly ten years ago, so prices have risen since then – let’s face it, what hasn’t gone up? The average price of a tandem jump today is currently between $225 and $300 dollars.
The tandem jumping experience is perfect for those looking to experience the jump once and even those considering getting their skydiving license. While the price tag may seem steep, adrenaline junkies will get a lot when paying for a tandem skydive, such as:
- Tandem skydiving instructor, who you are attached to during your jump.
- A training session explaining what your responsibilities are as a student. This session will also cover what you could expect during your jump.
- All the gear required for the jump, like the jumpsuits, goggles, helmets, and, of course, the parachute (highly recommended).
- The ride up to the necessary exit altitude (typically around 10,000 feet). For reference, a typical passenger flight flies at approximately 30,000 feet.
- The altitude will allow for a roughly 60-second free fall and a five- to six-minute parachute flight.
- The tandem experience was perfect for me as I was not interested in pursuing my license then; I wanted to experience skydiving with a highly trained professional.
Is Skydiving Worth the Risk?
Despite the extreme nature of skydiving, it has become increasingly safer to attempt with every passing year.
For reference, according to the United States Parachute Association, about 42,491 USPA members completed roughly an astounding 3.9 million jumps at one of the 208 USPA-affiliated skydiving centers nationwide. That breaks down to an average of 92 jumps per USPA member throughout the year.
Of those 3.9 million jumps, the USPA recorded just 20 fatal skydiving accidents, which breaks down to a 0.00051% chance of an accident.
Of course, each fatality is heartbreaking, but it also provides a learning event for the instructors to create an even safer environment for each jump. Furthermore, the technology improvements, equipment functionality, and advancements in the skydiving training programs have helped the event become safer each year.
While it has become safer, it is extremely important to understand that skydiving does come with risks. The obvious would be an equipment malfunction like the parachute not working correctly. In this event, an electronic system automatically pulls the reserve parachute should the main parachute malfunction.
In 2021, just 721 skydivers reported that they had to use their reserve parachute. Aside from equipment malfunction, a high number of the fatalities are based on human error, like the experienced skydiver who is looking to push their limits.
We see a lot more fatalities per flight in wingsuit BASE jumping than we do in traditional skydiving.
5 Reasons Why Skydiving is Worth Every Penny
1. It is An Adrenaline Rush Like No Other
Skydiving can create an adrenaline rush unparalleled by almost any other extreme sport. If you have ever gone cliff jumping, you could multiply that adrenaline rush by 1,000. The thrill of excitement as you hear the pilot give the go as you walk up to the door to exit the plane that is 10,000 feet ore more in the air is almost too difficult to describe.
The thrill of plummeting to Earth at speeds you never thought you could reach, defying gravity as the wind rushes through your body. This feeling alone is worth the cost of skydiving.
2. Fantastic Bonding Activity with Friends (& Great Way to Make New Ones)
There is nothing like having an experience that bonds you to a group of people for life. Sure, golfing or getting a tattoo with friends could connect you for life, but nothing compares to the thrilling experience of skydiving.
Adrenaline-charged activities are not only thrilling but also have demonstrated positive impacts on mental health. Jumping alongside friends and sharing such a unique experience can solidify a bond that lasts a lifetime.
Many couples choose to go skydiving together to strengthen their relationship. The intense adrenaline rush can boost mutual attraction, making it an exciting activity for adventurous couples seeking a memorable shared experience.
3. You Get to Face Your Fears (Boosts Your Confidence)
Skydiving is extreme; you are flying in the sky, waiting for a parachute to catch you before you land back on Earth.
This act of embracing the extreme and challenging your comfort zone can lead to exponential growth in self-confidence. By leaping out of a plane, you’re not just enjoying a thrilling activity; you’re also showing yourself that challenges, once considered impossible, can be overcome.
But the lesson goes beyond skydiving. The real takeaway is recognizing that confronting fears can unlock potential and achievements beyond your wildest dreams. This experience provides you with life skills that many might never pursue or only seek later in their lives.
A solid boost in confidence can serve you well in various stages and situations throughout life, such as navigating career challenges, building and maintaining relationships, taking leadership roles, and pursuing new opportunities.
4. The View is One-of-a-Kind (Unique Perspective)
Sure, many people can view the ground from a plane, but very few people can say that they saw the ground while moving at terminal velocity (roughly 120 miles per hour) and then floating suspended by a parachute.
For regular skydivers, you see so many popular locations across the globe from the bird’s-eye view. What you see skydiving compared to a plane or helicopter ride is very different, and what you feel in that moment cleanses your thoughts, and you see the world differently.
It’s not often you look around with a simple smile on your face, and you are completely speechless, but that’s exactly what a skydiving view does to you.
5. A Story You Can Tell for the Rest of Your Life
Less than 1% of people on Earth can say that they have skydived, making this experience the ultimate icebreaker. If you have ever gone on a date with nothing to say, bring this up, and you can talk for hours.
If you are out with a new group, you can always talk about skydiving. The sport is so unique and extreme that people will have questions, they will want to understand the experience, and it’s possible they may even ask to join you for a jump.
As you age, you can tell the skydiving stories to your children or your grandchildren. I am sure any kid would love to sit back and listen and learn all about the extreme sport of skydiving. They can then go to school and brag that their mom/dad or grandma/grandpa is a skydiver.
Final Thoughts
Skydiving is one of the most memorable and unique experiences that a person could accomplish. While the cost may seem relatively high, many benefits will make skydiving worth every single penny. These benefits could include the adrenaline rush, a bonding activity, overcoming your fears, a unique view, and a story you can tell for the rest of your life.
Many people avoid this experience because of the dangers, but skydiving is becoming safer year after year. With more and more people skydiving, there are fewer accidents per jump than ever.
I cannot recommend this experience enough; whether you choose to do it once or a hundred times, it will always be an exciting adventure.
Read our related post “Is Skydiving Addictive? (All You Need to Know)” here.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!
