Am I Too Old to Skydive? What You Need to Know About Age & Tandem Jumps

If you’re thinking, “Hmm … I’m not quite in my prime anymore, but I still want to do something totally awesome – am I too old to skydive?” The answer is NOPE! There’s no age limit for parachute jumps. Tandem skydiving, and even learning how to skydive solo, can be an accessible and exhilarating experience for people of all ages. Let’s get into it! 

How Old Do You Have To Be To Go Skydiving?

Before you start having dreams about skydiving, make sure you meet the most basic requirement: age. The minimum age requirement for skydiving is 18 years old. This is to abide by the Basic Safety Requirement set by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) which, along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), governs skydivers. 

What is the maximum age limit for skydiving? Technically, there isn’t one! If you’re able-bodied in all the necessary ways, you can skydive. What exactly do we mean by that? Here’s a deeper look. 

Tandem Skydiving Requirements 

Weight. 

Our weight limit for tandem students is 230 lbs, which is pretty standard across the industry. We never intend to exclude anyone from experiencing a skydive; the reason we have a weight requirement is safety. Weight limits are set to ensure we’re focused on the comfort and safety of our tandem instructors (which directly correlates to your safety!) and that we’re in compliance with the recommendations and restrictions set forth by the manufacturers of our tandem skydiving gear. Parachutes and harnesses have strict, predetermined limits to which we adhere.

Medical conditions. 

Heart conditions, spinal or shoulder injuries, and other medical considerations may prevent someone from skydiving. If you believe you fall into one of these categories, please get the green light from your doctor before jumping. Many avid skydivers continuously jump with medically-managed health conditions! 

Pregnancy. 

Skydiving will have to wait until your little one can watch from below if you’re expecting a baby. Just like any extreme sport, skydiving puts extra stress on your body and holds an inherent level of risk.  

What Is The Oldest You Can Go Skydiving? 

“Can I skydive at 70?” Yes, you can! Wait … can an 80 year old skydive? Sure thing – 80 year olds skydive all the time! The skydiving age maximum, or cap, doesn’t actually exist in the same way that the age minimum does. As long as you’re willing and able – meaning, you’re in good enough physical and mental health to make a skydive – then skydiving is possible! 

Fun fact. There are age-specific groups for licensed skydivers. Of course, there’s never any pressure to join in on their fun, but groups such as Skydivers Over Sixty (SOS), Jumpers Over Seventy (JOS), and Jumpers Over Eighty Society (JOES) are real groups for older skydivers. They jump together, hold records, and go to competitions. 

What Kind of Shape Do I Need To Be In To Skydive? 

Do you need to win a bodybuilding competition to become a skydiver? Nooooo … if that were the case, then the majority of avid skydivers would be outta here! Here’s a few attributes that are important to consider before taking the leap: 

Agility. 

Walking up the few steps to the airplane, scooting to the door, crouching down with your instructor before exit, and lifting up your legs to land are all key components of a skydive that take some skill. Having a basic level of agility and flexibility will help make these tasks much smoother, and reduce post-jump muscle soreness!

Core strength. 

A skydiving landing is debatably the most important part of a skydive. Tandem skydiving landings are completed by the instructor, and it’s the student’s job to lift their legs into a pike position to slide in, or to be prepared to take a few steps upon landing. Lifting your legs effectively calls for engaging those lower core muscles. 

Mental awareness. 

The nifty thing about tandem skydiving is that it enables total novices to experience the rush of adrenaline from a skydive, without the added stress of doing it all on your own. While we don’t expect you to be a skydiving master, it is expected that you’re able to listen and follow instructions. 

Skydiving: Never Too Old 

So, are you too old to skydive? No way! As long as you meet the health requirements and have the enthusiasm to try something new, we think the skies are calling your name. Saying “YES” to adventure is one of the most precious gifts you can give yourself. What’re you waiting for? Book today! Blue skies!