If you could have any superpower, what would it be? The answer most people give is ‘flying’! And because humans are so awesome, we’ve come up with a way to pretty much do it.
The first ‘skydive’ was in 1797 and done by the inventor of the parachute, André-Jacques Garnerin. He jumped just over 3000 feet out of a hydrogen balloon and boy, have we come a long way since then. Over and above an extra 8000 feet long.
Skydiving should be at the top of the bucket list for all adventure junkies. What better way to get your adrenaline pumping then free-falling from a plane and then sailing back down to earth with the feeling of flying?
Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the thrilling experience and how to conquer skydiving in Johannesburg just right.
Solo Or Tandem Skydiving
The first question anyone jumping needs to answer is whether they will be jumping solo or in tandem.
Tandem Skydiving Johannesburg
First-timers generally choose to tandem skydive because of safety and to simply be present and enjoy the jump. Jumpers don’t have to worry about procedures and technicalities. A tandem sky-dive is when the newbie is hooked up, via secure harness straps and carabiners, to a professional.
The participant sits in front of the professional and is attached back-to-stomach. The professional skydiver is in control of the deployment of the parachute and navigates your descent and landing. All you have to do is scream and enjoy.
Sky-dive Tandem Johannesburg in Bedford offers, as the name suggests, jumping in pairs. The instructions are clear and concise (taking just 15 minutes) leaving the jumpers feeling confident and safe. Sky-dive Tandem Johannesburg is one of the closer skydiving operations to the center of Joburg. It is quick and convenient but doesn’t hold back on thrill and excitement.
Sky-divers jump at 11 000 feet giving breathtaking views of Johannesburg with a six-seven minute canopy ride.
Solo Skydiving Johannesburg
Solo skydiving is to jump alone. You are the master of your dive and totally in control. There are two main ways to progress to jumping alone and the process can be surprisingly quick.
The first method is by doing the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) course. It is the quickest way to do a skydive with a freefall alone. Students train at ground school (for six-seven hours) and can find themselves jumping on the same day (weather permitting). Your first three jumps, for the first three levels of AFF, are assisted by two instructors. The AFF is made up of 10 levels and can be completed between 2-8 weeks.
The second method of learning to jump solo is the static line approach. This process takes longer for participants to be able to freefall before deploying the parachute. The parachute is attached to the aircraft and is automatically released as you exit the plane.
Parys Skydiving
Parys is a small town along the Vaal River that has breathtaking natural beauty creating excellent views from the sky. Skydive Parys is the top center for skydiving in this adventure capital. It has won multiple awards and offers participants a professional, efficient, and safe jump for all levels of skydivers.
The skydive center is an hour outside of Johannesburg and a two-hour drive from Pretoria to Parys. It’s located in the Vredefort Dome, a UNESCO world heritage site. Vredefort Dome is the oldest meteor hit recorded so far on earth. Not only is the history of the landscape interesting, but it is also beautiful.
Skydiving Parys can be done in tandem or solo, doing the AFF course. To skydive on the Vaal means that your birds-eye-view of the rolling hills and river will only heighten the rush of jumping out of a plane.
Parys Skydiving Prices
The tandem skydiving packages start at R2200 ($149) and go up to R3150 ($213). The AFF course is priced at R3300 ($223) for level 1.
Skydiving Pretoria
Pretoria is roughly 50kms from Johannesburg city center. But the distance varies quite substantially depending on where you are based in the city. However, this commute is common and is facilitated by the Gautrain.
Skydive Pretoria is located at Wonderboom Airport which is just north of Pretoria CBD. The center was established in 1964 and has created a very reputable business. The center offers a variety of jumps and really does have something for everyone at all experience levels.
Tandem jumps and AFF courses are offered, as well as fun jumps for advanced skydivers. They also offer courses in wing suiting, freestyling, formation skydiving, canopy piloting, and free-flying. These courses are all geared towards those who are enthusiastic about the sport and eager to experiment and learn new aspects of skydiving.
Skydiving Pretoria Prices
Skydive Pretoria offers the tandem skydive at R2170 ($146) and goes up to R2950 ($199) for the deluxe package.
The AFF level 1 course is R3060 ($206) and also decreases in price as you progress through the levels.
Johannesburg Skydiving Club
The Johannesburg Skydiving Club hosts events, meetings, and, of course, facilitates jumps. While they do tandem skydives for novices, they have also created a space for those who want to invest time and energy into learning and growing in the sport of skydiving.
The Club is located at Carletonville Airfield, an hour drive from Johannesburg CBD. The center offers tandem jumps, the AFF course, a static line course, and sports jumps. What’s more, the center creates a sense of community among skydivers.
Skydiving Prices
Prices of skydiving in Gauteng, and South Africa in general, vary a fair amount. Centers also have various photography and video footage add ons that you can choose, all of which come at an extra fee. Here is a comparison list of tandem skydives and AFF Level 1 prices.
Skydiving Johannesburg Prices
These prices are for the centers based in Johannesburg. This includes Skydive Tandem Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Skydiving Club.
Skydive Tandem Johannesburg
Tandem jumps (11000 ft) start at R1950 ($132) and go up to R2850 ($192) with the deluxe photography and footage option.
AFF is not offered at Skydive Tandem Johannesburg.
Johannesburg Skydiving Club
Tandem jumps (11000 ft) start at R2260 ($152) and go up to R3210 ($216) with the deluxe package.
The AFF level 1 course is R3245 ($218) and progressively decreases as you go through the levels.
Closing Thoughts On Sky Diving
Skydiving has become an iconic activity for thrill-seekers. Will Smith’s speech on his realizations on overcoming fear from skydiving went viral and has put sky diving on the top of the bucket list for so many. The feeling of flying and living life so close to the edge is an experience you will never forget and one you will be begging to do again.
