There’s a picture from our childhood days we can all summon in less than a second! Remember those signs that begin with: you must be this tall to… Yup, they gave some of us a real headache; not letting us enjoy certain amusement park rides was no way to treat a friend, right? Since you’re reading this text, we reckon that you’re wondering are there any similar restrictions on enjoying some good ol’ skydiving.
If the above assumption’s correct, you’re bound to enjoy (to a certain extent) the information we’ll share with you today. Needless to say, there are many internet users wondering: can you be too tall to skydive? Will your height have an effect on the drop? That’s one of the reasons why we’ve chosen to talk about this in the article you’re bound to find below.
Most drop zones don’t explicitly propose any limitations concerning height. It’s mostly the height/weight ratio they’re interested in. However, extremely tall folks might stumble upon some issues when trying to book a jump (although it’s not something that’s common). Contact a particular drop zone and get all the info you need!
Now, there’s no way you’ll want to stop there! If you agree, there’s a whole lot of useful info downstairs!
Table of Contents
Skydiving 101
Before we continue talking about the main subject of today’s text (can you be too tall to skydive and similar questions), we might as well talk a bit about this amazing activity/sport/however-you-wanna-call-it en général. So, what’s the deal with skydiving? Here are some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) related to the topic of skydiving.
If you’re a first-time skydiver, you’ll probably appreciate this. Also, we’ve published an article on a similar activity called wingsuit flying. Check it out (follow the highlighted link)!
Is there an age limit on trying out skydiving?
This might be the most frequent of the frequently asked questions. Anyway, in most countries around the globe, the minimum age requirement’s the same: you must be 18 years old to try out this phenomenal human activity. That’s what you’d call something of a standard. Also, it’s not like there are no exceptions to the rule in certain places; someplace you can skydive as soon as you’re 16, but you’ll need a parent’s permit or a similar document. However, it might be best if you wait until you’re 18 to embark on your first skydiving adventure!
Wait, is there a maximum age limit on skydiving?
You’ll rarely stumble upon a maximum age limit for skydiving. The motto (if it’s a motto at all): 18 and older stays truthful to its name. However, most skydiving sites (and here’s a cool one) will require you to be in generally good health, without any serious conditions making your skydiving adventure a risky one. Also, you’ll probably have to fill out some forms (if you’re over 70, for instance).
Keep in mind this only stands for tandem skydiving. We’ll explain the differences between solo and tandem skydiving near the end of this article.
Is skydiving scary?
You’ll want to know that the basic presumption most folks have about skydiving’s completely wrong (skydiving ain’t no BASE jumping). Of course, we’re talking about the skydiving-is-a-bit-scary narrative. Anyway, the main thing is that the free-fall you’ll experience won’t feel scary at all; you’ll always feel like you’re in control. Additionally, you can compare the experience with riding a rollercoaster:
- During a rollercoaster ride, you’re definitely not in control.
- While you’re skydiving, you feel like you’re in total control.
- During a rollercoaster ride, you’re being pushed, rocked, and jostled.
- While you’re skydiving, the free-falling is smooth.
Also, while you’re free-falling, there won’t be any sensation telling you: hey man, you’re falling at a speed of 120 mph. Most folks say: you’ll have no idea at what speed you are falling towards the ground; you’ll feel as if you were laying on your bed. That’s the first you’ll notice when you jump; how relaxing the skydiving experience essentially is.
Most of the time, our assumptions about a certain extreme sport are just wrong. Here’s an article on the issue of folks assuming ziplining gives you vertigo.
What are the physical requirements of skydiving?
Now, here’s a big one! Now you’ll see whether or not there’s a requirement that has something to do with height. Therefore, the answer to the question in the title of this article will appear by itself. In other words: you’ll find out can you be too tall to skydive! Needless to say, there are certain physical requirements you’ll need to match in order to enjoy your first-time skydiving trip!
Physical condition
Here’s the thing: most skydiving sites will require you to be physically fit. In other words: as a participant, you’ll have to be fully self-reliant and mobile; you’ll need to be able to lift your knees to your chest without any assistance. The bad news is that if you have a certain condition or disability and if either one of these affects your mobility in a negative way, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to enjoy skydiving. However, it’s best you contact the site and see if your general physical condition matches the criteria.
Weight limitations
While these do differ from place to place, we’ll give you something of a template. Just by looking at it, you’ll see how the whole thing works.
There’s no set maximum weight that applies to each and every one of us! These limitations are usually dependent on your height (there’s a little hint!). What do we mean by that? For instance, if the maximum weight that’s allowed on the site is 14.5 stone (92 kg) that usually means you’ll have to be at least 6 ft. (180 cm) or taller. All in all: you can’t be overweight for your height; that’s a given.
As these limitations aren’t the same from place to place (although you’ll rarely find a site that allows folks with 230 lbs (around 104 kg) to jump out of an airplane), it’s best you contact an individual skydiving site/instructor and see if your weight/height ratio meets the requirements set up by a particular site.
So, what about height by itself?
Since that’s our main issue for today, we’ll have to give it more space. Read the next paragraph. But first, a photo that will show you all the joy usually associated with the amazing human activity known as skydiving!
Can you be too tall to skydive?
As it’s implied in the section above the photo, it seems as if there’s no skydiving site proposing any kind of height limitations on the folks who are willing to try this sport for the first time (or any time other time, for that matter). It’s usually more about weight than height, as you also could’ve seen above.
However, there’s something you’ll need to consider. For instance, let’s say you want to do a tandem jump. There’s a chance certain instructors won’t give you a shot if you’re very tall since it’s harder for them to control you in that case. There are certain drop zones that mightn’t be able to give everyone, including extremely tall folks, the chance to participate in this phenomenal activity. Call the drop zone/instructor to find out what’s there to be done!
Okay, now that that’s settled (the whole can-you-be-too-tall-to-skydive issue), it’s time to fulfill the promise we’ve made at the beginning and see what are the main differences between solo and tandem skydiving!
Bonus round: Solo vs. tandem skydiving
Here we’ll show you some basic differences between these two kinds of skydiving!
To emphasize the obvious
As if someone needs to tell you this (since it’s downright obvious), tandem skydiving involves two people jumping attached to each other. And, of course, a solo skydiving experience involves you and only you attached to a single parachute. Also, if you’re wondering why parachutes are made from nylon, follow this link.
What’s better for beginners?
If you’re a beginner, this won’t be a matter of choice. First, you’ll have to try out tandem skydiving with your instructor. Most drop zones require this, and for a good cause. Skydiving is an adrenaline-packed and downright exciting experience. If it’s your first time jumping out of a plane, there’s no telling what your reaction will look like. Even if you were to freak out or somethin’, there’ll always be someone with experience to open up the parachute instead of you and get you to the ground without much hassle. You won’t have to worry about opening your parachute up too early or somethin’.
That’s why trying out tandem skydiving first is a necessity if there ever was one.
The general feeling
Many folks wonder: do these two kinds of skydiving feel the same? Once you get into the hang of things (for instance, by obtaining your solo skydiving license), you won’t feel much of a difference between the two. However, you’re bound to feel some pressure once you first try to do a solo jump; there won’t be anyone in charge of the situation except for yourself! You’ll feel a lot more responsible and aware!
The lines above shouldn’t scare you! Before you embark on your first solo skydiving adventure, you’ll have to go through a lot of training! Nobody will let you jump until you’re totally ready for it!
Final words
That’s about it, dear adrenaline-seeking folks! Now that you’ve found the answer to the famous can you be too tall to skydive question, it might be time to book your first jump. Don’t ya think so?
For more tips on skydiving and everything that’s even mildly related to the sport, visit this page.
