The sun is brightly shining, there are blue skies overhead, and the light touch of a gentle breeze is dancing through the trees. This is exactly the type of weather that has us dreaming of getting ready for the skydiving season. With thoughts of freefall and pleasant parachute rides filling our minds, we figure it is the perfect time to set an agenda for the best season to skydive!
Getting ready for the skydiving season doesn’t mean dusting off the ole parachuting gear and hopping to it. To get ready for the height of the skydiving season the right way, we have a few humble suggestions.
Attend Safety Day
Each year, typically in March, group member dropzones of the United States Parachute Association hold an event called Safety Day. During this event, weekend skydiving hobbyists and staff alike have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on review and to attend seminars led by skydiving experts. By equipping attendees with the most up-to-date skydiving knowledge and with a refresher of information they may have forgotten, Safety Day is a great way to get jumpers ready for the skydiving season ahead.
With COVID-19 still looming in our area this March, we held off on an in-person Safety Day. Although, we’ve set our sights on an alternate date for Safety Day in March. We hope we see you there!
Get Current
Skydiving is all about mitigating risk. After a period of inactivity, it is important to go through the recurrency training appropriate to your experience. In case you aren’t sure exactly what will be required to get skydiving current and ready for the best airbath ever, in section 5-2, the Skydiver Information Manual provides an outline for currency requirements.
| License | Requirement |
| A License | “USPA A-license holders who have not made a freefall skydive within 60 days should make at least one jump under the supervision of a currently rated USPA instructional rating holder until demonstrating altitude awareness, freefall control on all axes, tracking, and canopy skills sufficient for safely jumping in groups.” |
| B License | “USPA B-license holders who have not made a freefall skydive within the preceding 90 days should make at least one jump under the supervision of a USPA instructional rating holder until demonstrating the ability to safely exercise the privileges of that license.” |
| C License | “USPA C and D-license holders who have not made a freefall skydive within the preceding 180 days should make at least one jump under the supervision of a USPA instructional rating holder until demonstrating the ability to safely exercise the privileges of that license.” |
By taking the right precautions and getting the right amount of recurrency training, you can help ensure that your return to the sky is a smooth one.
Visit Your Parachute Rigger
For jumpers across the US, getting ready for the skydiving season means making a trip to his or her favorite certified parachute rigger.
Every skydiving system, whether used by tandem, student, or licensed skydiver, includes a main parachute and a reserve parachute. Any reserve parachute that is currently in use is maintained on a reserve repack cycle. Every 180 days, the reserve parachute must be repacked and inspected by an FAA-certified parachute rigger.
In addition to following your reserve repack schedule, thorough gear checks should be done before each jump.
Practice Your Emergency Procedures
While the chances of a parachute malfunction are slight (about 1 in 1,000), it is best to prepare to face an issue on every jump you make. There is no replacement for being able to seamlessly respond to an issue by employing your emergency procedures. Ideally, you will want to build muscle memory so that you can cut down on processing time and improve your reaction time. Especially if you are getting ready for the skydiving season after a bit of a lull, it is imperative to practice your emergency procedures frequently.
After reading all about getting ready for the skydiving season, you might be wondering:
When does the skydiving season open and when does the skydiving season end?
Thanks to a mild temperate climate here at Skydive California, we can jump year-round! However, the skydiving season “proper” starts to ramp up in March and holds strong through June, July, and August.
When is the best season to skydive?
Honestly, the best season to skydive depends on the preference of the person. If you prefer a busy, bustling vibe, joining us during the height of the season in the summer might be the best choice. If you prefer a low-key or more intimate affair, joining us in the fall will better suit your tastes.
Let’s get this skydiving season started! We can’t wait to see you in the air at Skydive California! Call us today to schedule your visit!
