Free Fall with a Skydiving Lesson in California

California is popular among the tourist. With its endless coastline, beautiful giant Redwoods, and its always happening city life anyone can find something fun to do in California. Activities range from relaxing with a glass of wine to surfing the waves or even jumping out of a plane. For many thrill seekers coming to California their objective isn't to explore its land, but to fall through its sky. With tons of skydiving courses available all over the state it is easy to jump into your first experience as a skydiver.

While there are many companies offering lessons you should do your research before picking one. A bad skydiving experience could literally mean the end for you, so it is crucial that you have checked out the company you plan to use thoroughly. The company should be completely licensed and all your trainers should have hundreds if not thousands of hours in skydiving experience. There is one company in Santa Rosa that is highly recommended. This is the Adrenaline Air Skydiving of Santa Rosa. They have full licenses from the FAA (The Federal Aviation Administration) and the USPA (United States Parachute Association). Their facility offers skydiving for the professional and the novice. You will also be given photos and video so you can relive the experience over and over. Another reliable company is the Adventure Center Skydiving in California. They cater more to those who have never skydived before but all skill levels are welcome. And Air Adventures is still one more company that receives good ratings across the board. All three companies also offer accelerated free fall lessons for those who have more experience with the sport.

If you are a novice to the sport you will be taken through an extensive course on how to pack your own parachute, proper jumping and landing technique, and some companies offer equipment that simulate a real life jump so you are fully prepared before taking the plunge. The first jump for anybody is always a bit nerve-wracking, so everyone jumps tandem first. Even your professional trainer jumped with a partner their first time. You will be paired with a professionally trained skydiver. The whole process for learning to jump takes anywhere from 30 minutes (if you are only doing tandem) to a full day if you will continue to jump on your own. Some places even offer more extensive lessons that can last for several days with several opportunities to jump. After you have learned all the steps beginners are taken to a height of about 18,000 feet after where they will then do the tandem jump. You will experience a one minute free-fall before you pull the parachute, and it's about a 15 minute glide to the ground. If you've signed up for the longer lessons then you will continue to have the thrill of a lifetime. For those who just wanted to take the plunge can now take their pictures and video and display it for their friends and family.

Skydiving can be the thrill of a lifetime and there is no better place to learn than California.