I have wanted to go skydiving since I was in Australia, but it couldn’t happen. So, when I moved to London in 2020, I was adamant about doing it, but before that, I had to find a job here because it was an expensive activity to pursue. In addition, COVID was required to dissipate, and travel and other restrictions had to be lifted.

In 2021, I started working in London, and the COVID situation improved in England, so as soon as the summer arrived, I was prepared to book a skydiving session. 

Outdoor skydiving doesn’t happen in the cities for obvious reasons. The skydiving centres are present in various countryside locations across England, such as Peterborough, Beccles, Salisbury, Nottingham, Lancashire, etc. The closest to London is Sibsons Airfield in Peterborough, run by UK Parachuting. 

💡 The train takes an hour from King’s Cross station in London to Peterborough, and from there, you can book a cab to Sibsons Aerodrome or Peterborough Flying School.

First Time

When I booked the skydiving session, the staff told me I would be notified about the event cancellation in advance based on the weather conditions. Finally, the date arrived, and I went to Peterborough for the activity. My husband came along to motivate me. It was a bright and beautiful day, and I was excited to go skydiving.

There were four slots before mine, but before the arrival of my slot, which was at 2 pm, I had to go through a brief training of 20-30 minutes that was purposefully designed to tell about the body positions we were required to adopt while leaving the aircraft during free fall and landing. Other than these, the instructor takes care of the rest of the things.

💡 The best part of tandem skydiving is that you don’t need to worry about the opening of a parachute, which plays a significant role in a safe landing. The instructor tied to you takes responsibility for it. But this doesn’t mean that one shouldn’t ever take the risk of skydiving alone.

Returning to my story, by the time my training finished, the staff had announced that the wind gusts were too high for the activity and that it was risky to continue. So, the company postponed the session for another date, and all my enthusiasm for skydiving went in vain.

Moreover, I hadn’t eaten much for breakfast or lunch because I didn’t want to overload my stomach and take the risk of vomiting during the fall. There were minimal options for me being a vegetarian at the cafe, which was inside Sibson’s compound and outside this area were open fields because this centre was in a remote village. I was more flustered due to my famished state, but somehow, I gathered myself, and we left. We walked a few miles before reaching the restaurant in Wansford Village, where we got the contact details to arrange a taxi to return to the station.

Second Time

Another date came, and I went again. This time, I went alone because it was a weekday for which I took leave, but my husband had some urgent work to finish. On this sunny day, I reached the airfield with butterflies in my stomach. 

I sat outside the cafe on a bench with a coffee mug in my hand and waited to be called for the training. While I was sitting there, an older man in his earlier sixties sat beside me. He smiled at me and began the conversation by asking, “Are you here for skydiving yourself or to support someone?” “No, I am here to skydive, and it’s my second visit because the first session was cancelled due to the weather.” – I replied.

He told me that he used to be a skydiver and still loves it so much that he came here to do it in tandem. I was both amazed and inspired to hear this. While we talked, the overcast had already taken over, and I became doubtful. 

I went to the reception to inquire, and they asked me to hold on. The instructors had to wait for the skydivers in the drop zone to anticipate the severity of the weather. In the meantime, the staff called me for the training. When I finished the training and sat in the waiting area, the staff made an announcement, and I was disappointed again. I thought skydiving was not in my luck and that I should request a refund. 

While going into reception, I bumped into that older man I had met before, and he shared with me his disappointment. When I told him I was planning to ask for a refund, he gave me golden advice – “When you have already tried twice, why not give it a third shot before calling it off? Maybe this time you will get to do it.” I agreed and returned to London.

Third Time

I booked another date and waited patiently for it. The day arrived, and I couldn’t sleep well the night before due to anxiety. I also had inflammation in my back, for which I had taken medicines. But it was clear that I wouldn’t cancel the day in any way. 

This time, too, I went alone. I reached the King’s Cross station with an empty stomach and took coffee to feel better. I boarded the train and was anxious throughout the journey, thinking what would happen.

When I reached the UK Parachuting School and went to the reception, I learned they shifted me to an early slot. The staff determined my weight and asked me to proceed to the waiting area, and after some time, they sent me for training with other people. When I returned, I met my instructor, who told me we would be kitting up the equipment in half an hour to prepare for the flight. Hearing this, I was elated inside, thinking, “Finally, the moment has arrived.”  

After my instructor gave a final check on the tandem parachute harness and goggles that I wore and briefed me again on what to expect during fall and landing, we got ready to board the aircraft. 

I had taken a photography and video package in my booking, so as soon as I went near the aircraft, the photographer began shooting the experience for me.

We boarded the plane, and the flight took off to altitude. It reached 3000 ft, then 5000 ft, 7000 ft, and ascended until 13000 ft. This was the time to take a glorious leap in the blue sky. My instructor and I began to move forward to reach the edge of the door and believe me; I wasn’t scared at all. I could see the countryside covered in a blanket of clouds.

I did my face up, and the next thing I knew was that we jumped out of the aircraft. While hurtling towards the earth at an exhilarating speed of 120 miles per hour, I got scared and started screaming a Hindu Goddess’s name, but as soon as I opened my hands, I felt incredible with my opened wings.

Free falling from 13000 ft for 40 seconds above the ground was a surreal feeling, and when the parachute opened at 5000 ft, and the clouds disappeared, I was in awe of the breathtaking views around me. The wind whipped past my face, and the adrenaline rush was indescribable. And we finally landed safely back on the ground. 

I just laid on the green grass for two minutes in relief before my instructor woke me up to answer the final questions and wrap up the skydiving video.

It was an unforgettable experience that left me wanting to do it repeatedly. I was spiritually uplifted and my confidence was on another level.

My belief:

“Whenever you fear something, just do it, and you will overcome it.”

“If you are trying for something and facing failures, try for one more time before giving up.”

Travel To Muse

If you have questions, or you would like to share your experience, I am all ears through the comments. Have a lovely day!

FAQs about Tandem Skydiving

Q. Is skydiving scary?

A. It’s not. Once you decide to do it, you will not be scared.

I am afraid of heights, but my willpower was strong enough not to let my fear override it, and the rest of the assurance came from the tandem skydiving instructor.

Q. What should I know before going skydiving?

A. There are different levels of height to choose from. You don’t need to jump from 15000 ft if you don’t want to. Begin with 5000 or 7000 ft and then reach a higher level. In tandem skydiving, you don’t have a fierce one-week training to attain, so all you have to do is wear comfortable clothes, eat light, and get a good night’s sleep before coming for your big day. 

Q. How did it feel when you went skydiving for the first time?

A. The experience of skydiving for the first time was a mix of fear, excitement, and thrill. The rush of wind in my face, the feeling of weightlessness, and the breathtaking views from above were incredible experiences.

Q. What should I wear on the day of skydiving?

On the day of skydiving, wearing comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing, such as a tracksuit, is essential. Loose-fitting clothes are ideal, as they allow effortless movement, and you should also wear closed-toe shoes with good grip. 

Avoid wearing anything too bulky or restrictive, such as heavy jackets or tight jeans. Additionally, if you’re jumping in cold weather, layer up with warm clothing, as it can get chilly at high altitudes. Finally, most skydiving centres provide jumpsuits and other necessary gear, so check with them about what you must bring.