There’s no feeling quite like it: freefalling through the air, the land a distant blur, adrenalin owning your body and your soul.
Whether you’re jumping for charity, just for the one-off thrill, or are dirt diving to polish up a complex, multi-grip formation, US skydiving has pretty much every option available.
The US always claims to be bigger and better at everything – well, in terms of skydiving and available ‘sky space’, it might just be right!
Here are 4 states that should tempt you if you want to drop a jump into your vacation schedule.
Dive Carolina
The charming Atlantic coastal city of Hilton Head, South Carolina was named by Captain William Hilton, a British explorer, as he sailed towards Port Royal Sound.
It’s also close to one of the best drop zones in the state. Skydive Carolina’s Twin Otter, Cessna 182 and Casa planes offer individual and tandem jumps with a freefall of 120 miles per hour.
USPA membership is required by the company’s safety regulations.
Hilton Head South Carolina make for relaxing hangouts after a heart-thumping fall through the skies.
Dive New Jersey
Operating out of the compact Sussex Airport, Skydive Sussex has a new Kingair that can whisk you 14,000 feet into the air in less than 10 minutes. If hurling yourself out of a plane and making a mean hook turn doesn’t do it for you, then why not try an exhilarating helicopter jump?
Skydive Suzzex has a range of facilities to enjoy during call time, from gear shops to accuracy tuffets, bars to pool halls, coffee shops to swimming pools.
Dive Alaska
For spectacular alpine views and a bracing climate, Alaska is well worth a jump.
The only operator of its kind in the state, Alaska Sky Sports, offers a handy Tandem Progression Programme which involves registration, an educational video and harness practice, you’ll head into the clouds in a Twin Bonanza for the 7-second free fall and 5 minute canopy drop.
Your entire dive will be caught on video so you can show your friends how brave you were – or not as the case may be.
If you persist with the TPP and complete 25 jumps, you can obtain an A licence and start soloing with confidence.
Dive Georgia
Returning to the south, Skydive the Farm promise high-octane fun over the rolling hills of Georgia. They operate 7 days a week and host regular boogies, swoop meets and Georgia Skydiving League meets.
They’re headquartered in Rockmart, 3 miles south of Cornelius Moore Airport.
If you’re visiting Tybee Island then Georgia skydiving is a must-try for any fan of extreme sports: As bucket-list sports go, skydiving has got to be top!