FAQ (frequently asked questions)

Is skydiving safe?
Well... relative to what? Watching reality TV? Playing video games? Reading a book? Maybe not. Relative to surfing, skateboarding, skiing, or driving your car, absolutely! All of our pilots and instructors are certified by the FAA and our instructors additionally hold USPA's highest ratings and are rigorously trained and tested regularly. To attempt tandem instructor rating certification, a candidate must have at least 500 jumps, though most of out staff have several thousand skydives and submit to regular, random drug screening... All of the equipment used is serviced and maintained by FAA certified riggers and the parachutes are packed by professionals under their supervision. The reserves are inspected repacked every 180 days, even if unused (it's not just a good idea, it's the law). Our aircraft is required to be maintained to very high standards, and we have asked the FAA to inspect our entire operation at least every six months to be sure we are maintaining everything to the highest standards and to give us any additional input. At Santa Cruz Skydiving, your safety is the most integral part of your having an enjoyable experience, and we take every precaution to assure your safety while on our drop zone.

What if the parachute doesn't open?
Though this is extremely rare, every skydiving rig is equipped with both a main parachute and a reserve parachute as well as an automatic activation device. As a tandem skydiver, you are with a trained professional who knows how to handle a malfunction and deploy the reserve chute if it's necessary. Santa Cruz Skydiving takes your safety very seriously.

How long does the skydive take?
Freefall lasts about sixty seconds, depending on body weight, body position and surface area. You will then have about five minutes under canopy to enjoy the view and the ride.


What does freefall feel like?
Well, you'll probably have a couple of seconds of overload; your mind will be thinking, "I am so not supposed to be doing this!" But, in very short order you will be stable, breathing, screaming, and thinking, "Wow! this is really easy! I'm flying... How is this possible?" Once you reach your maximum velocity (after a couple of seconds), there is no falling feeling, no sense of the planet rushing up at you- just lots of wind and total freedom!

Can you breathe in freefall?
At 120mph, inhaling is really easy. If you find it difficult to exhale, just scream your head off, it not only forces you to breath, it's really, really fun!

Are there deposit fees? & What is the cancellation policy?
No! With us you only pay if you actually jump. However we do take down a credit card number to finalize reservations. There are no upfront charges. Should your plans change we ask you to cancel at least 48 hours prior to your jump. Should you fail to inform us at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled jump and decide not to show up we would have to charge you $50 "no show -no cancellation" fee! This is only fair as we hold your slot open for YOU and are not taking other reservations in your time slot.
Our skydiving gift certificates or any other prepaid skydiving vouchers are subject to forfeiture if you cancel or reschedule your appointment with less than 48 hours notice.

Can I have my jump photographed?
Yes. Video and digital photography services -- complete with musical soundtrack and special effects -- are available and encouraged. Remember, you'll never have the opportunity to experience your first skydive again, and watching the video helps you to relive the experience and reminds you of parts of the experience that you may have forgotten. Whether you end up watching your video more than a few times, your friends and families will enjoy watching your video and viewing your photos for years to come.

Do I train and jump in the same day?
Absolutely. Call ahead for reservations and show up on time. You'll be give a stack of paperwork to fill out, waivers to read and sign and then the training itself takes only about 10 to 15 minutes. You'll usually be jumping within the hour, barring any unforeseen weather problems (heavy wind, rain, tornado, hurricane, etc.). Tandem jumps are popular for a variety of reasons, including convenience, safety, location, price.

What if I'm afraid of heights?
A good deal of acrophobia has to do with relativity. No, not what Einstein talked about. But seeing objects moving in relation to one another. At 15,000 feet, the ground is a long way off and you can't really tell that you're above anything. Not like climbing a ladder where you can see objects and gauge your distance from them. At something like 2,500 feet, the ground becomes too far away to worry about and acrophobia goes away. You probably know better than anyone what you can handle. But we did have someone who is acrophobic tell us that they'd rather jump out of a plane than climb a step-ladder. (They did a tandem and enjoyed it thoroughly.)

What should I wear?
Clothing would be a good thing. Oh, you mean specifically? Well, let's start with shoes. Sneakers that fit securely are the best bet- if you want to wear shoes: Since we are landing on the soft beach we encourage you to jump BAREFOOT! You'll also want to wear comfortable jeans, sweats or shorts and bring or wear layers to wear on top. Please avoid wearing any dangly jewelry, or anything that you'd be devastated to loose.



What should I eat or drink the day of my jump?
Eat normally and drink normally the day of your jump. Skipped meals may lead to low blood sugar, which in some cases can lead to fainting during the parachute ride and landing of the jump. Fainting during your jump will probably ruin some of your experience and looks funny on your video. Alcoholic beverages are the exception to this rule, we will not take you on your jump if you have consumed any alcohol the day of. After your jump, there is a bar on the airport. Feel free to consume as much alcohol as you want in celebration afterwards.

What happens if the weather is bad and I don't get to jump?
There are no fees or penalties as it is nobody's fault that the conditions are not safe to go skydiving! We encourage you to reschule for our next available appointments. However, we cannot give you priority over other already scheduled customers.

If the weather is bad, should we just cancel?
No. If you have a scheduled appointment to skydive with us, please call to double check the weather conditions at the jump zone. We understand that many of our students travel great distances to get here, however; it may be raining where you are and sunny here! If you do not show up for your reservation without cancelling prior to 48 hours to your appointment and the weather is good, we will charge your credit card 50$ which is the :" no show-no cancellation fee"
We will always give you an honest assessment what we think the weather is. If the weather is guaranteed not suitable for skydiving we will inform you so you don't have to drive out to us!

What happens if there is bad weather for part of the day?
For bad weather, you will have a 1 ½ hour grace period in which we check and assess the conditions.If the weather is still bad after the 1.5 hour mark, we will not be able to jump with you on that day as we will need to jump with the next scheduled appointments.

What do you consider bad weather?
There are a few weather-related factors that will prevent you from jumping on the day of your reservation. Weather factors that prohibit us from performing skydiving activities include:
     Clouds: We may be able to jump under a cloud ceiling. This is dependent on the discretion of our pilots and other staff. Tandem students must exit no lower than 6000 feet. Experienced jumpers can exit the aircraft no lower than 2000 feet.
     Wind: Tandem students typically will not be jumping with winds in excess of 30 mph, however, this is dependent on the discretion of our instructors.
     Rain: You actually can jump in rain. Normally any precipitation more than a light rain ends up with clouds below acceptable minimums. Please remember that our main objective is to see that you have the most enjoyable experience as possible. We will not jump if conditions could make your jump less than enjoyable!

What happens if we get there and pay but then don't get to jump?
At this point, you will be given a choice between a refund and a rain check good for another date. Rain checks are transferable on or before day of jump, but not refundable.

Are gift certificates available?
Yes, gift certificates are available; we accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express and PayPal.
PURCHASE GIFT CERTIFICATES

Do you have group rates?
Yes. We will customize your group rate based upon the size and the needs of your party.

Do I need to make a reservation?
Yes. You should at least call to let us know that you're coming, just in case we're filled up for the day or are not jumping. Your phone call also helps us to have the appropriate number of staff available to accommodate you in a timely manner.

Is there a weight limit?
Most places have a weight limit of 200 pounds. However, we do have the equipment and expertise to cater for “heavier” customers. At weights higher than 220 lbs our instructors charge an additional fee of $1 per every pound over 200 lbs (for the extra workload). At weights exceeding 250 pounds, it is our staff's discretion whether or not you should jump.

I have a medical condition, can I still jump?
Please consult your doctor if you have any physical limitations that you think may interfere with or be worsened by skydiving activity.

Is there a minimum age requirement?
In the state of California, as well as most other states, all participants MUST be at least 18, even with parent or guardian's consent. There is no upper age limit. Children under 18 years can experience body flight at the vertical wind tunnel near San Francisco, iFly SF Bay .

Are all landings onto the beach??
Skydives with beach landings are subject to weather conditions. While we do most of our jumps onto the beach, if there is let's say fog on the beach we cannot land there. In this case there is the possibility to land on our inland landing area which is only a short distance from the coast but is almost always clear. However, it is your choice whether you want to use our alternate landing area or reschedule for another day. Exception: Skydives that were purchased through 3rd party agents never land on the beach! Weather permitting, there might be the possibility to upgrade to a beach landing on the day of the jump. If the weather is not permitting to land on the beach, 3rd party bookings are required to use our inland landing area. 3rd party bookings are for skydives- not for beach landings!

Should I tip my instructor (or videographer or pilot)?
While is certainly not necessary or expected, it is customary and many people do, and it is greatly appreciated. You may consider giving a gratuity if you feel that the staff member has gone "above and beyond" in an attempt to make you feel safe and well cared for. Either way: Our instructors will make sure you that you will have an amazing and safe skydiving experience.