Your First Tandem Skydive: What to Expect on the Day
Booked your first tandem skydive? Nervous, excited, or both? That’s completely normal. Knowing exactly what happens on the day takes away most of the nerves, so here’s a step-by-step guide to your jump with UK Parachuting, from the moment you arrive to the moment your feet touch the ground.
Before you arrive
A £50 deposit secures your booking, and you pay the balance on the day. We jump 7 days a week, all year round, at Peterborough and Beccles Airfield, so pick whichever date suits you.
A few things to sort before the day:
- Clothes: wear comfortable layers and flat trainers with laces. No boots with hooks, sandals or loose jewellery.
- Food: eat a normal breakfast. Skydiving on an empty stomach is no fun.
- Weather: skydiving depends on the weather. We will keep you posted by text and email.
- Time: allow time at the drop zone. Weather holds can mean some waiting around.
Arrival and briefing
When you arrive, head to reception to check in, pay your balance and fill in your paperwork. Then it’s time for your tandem briefing.
The briefing takes around 20 minutes and covers everything you need to know: how to exit the aircraft, the body position for freefall, and how to lift your legs for landing. There’s no exam and nothing complicated to memorise. Your instructor will remind you of each step on the way up.
Kitting up and meeting your instructor
When your load is called, you’ll meet your tandem instructor. They’ll fit you into a jumpsuit, harness, goggles and hat, and check every strap and buckle.
Your instructor is highly experienced and will have made thousands of jumps. They’re also used to nervous first-timers, so ask them anything. If you’ve booked photos or video, now’s the time to say hello to the camera.
The flight to altitude
The climb to two miles high takes around 15–20 minutes. Sit back and enjoy the views. From Peterborough you can see across four counties on a clear day, or out to sea at Beccles
As you near jump height, your instructor will attach your harness to theirs and run through the exit position one more time. Then the door opens.
Exit and freefall
You’ll shuffle to the door together, rock forward, and you’re out. Most people say the exit is over before they’ve had time to think about it.
Then comes freefall: around 50 seconds at speeds of over 120mph. It doesn’t feel like falling. It feels more like flying, with a rush of wind and an incredible view. Just arch, breathe and enjoy it.
Canopy ride and landing
Your instructor opens the parachute and everything goes quiet. The canopy ride lasts around 5 minutes.
As you come in to land, lift your legs just as you practised in the briefing. Most tandem landings are a gentle slide on your bottom. Then you’re back on the ground, and you’ve done it.
Frequently asked questions
How old do I need to be? You need to be at least 16, and there’s no upper age limit.
What if the weather is bad? We only jump when it’s safe. If the weather stops play, you can rebook for another day.
Can I jump with friends? Yes. Groups of 5–9 pay £245 each, and groups of 10 or more pay £230 each, compared with £260 for a single booking.
Is there a cheaper option? Our introductory tandem from 7,000ft costs £179 on selected midweek days.
Can I do it for charity? Absolutely.
Ready to jump?
Choose the drop zone that suits you. Peterborough is one of the oldest drop zones in the country, with easy access from the A1 and less than an hour from London. Beccles Airfield is fabulous for coastal views
A £50 deposit is all it takes to secure your place.