What is tandem skydiving?
A skydive from 10,000 feet or 14,000 feet with a tandem instructor. You are attached to the tandem instructor by a special harness and jump out the plane together. The instructor wears the specifically designed tandem parachute on his back and is in control of the exit and freefall. Once the parachute opens, you can help steer or just relax and enjoy the views while he does all the work.
Is a tandem jump safe?
Although it seems very scary, over the years tandem skydiving in South Africa has evolved and developed leaps and bounds, making it safer than ever before. With advances and additions to equipement like an automatic activation device (AAD), it helps to make it even safer. The instructors also contribute to making it a safer experience. Before a skydiver can become a tandem instructor, he must have a minimum of 800 skydives and undergone extensive training and evaluation approved by the Parachute Association of South Africa. Our instructors have been skydiving for many years with thousands of skydives under their belts so you will be in good hands.
Probably yes but that’s a natural feeling for someone skydiving for the first time. A bit of nerves are to be expected. Even experienced sport jumpers feel a little afraid just before they exit the plane. It’s part of the adrenalin rush of adventure sports. You will also be excited, delighted, and thrilled.
Fast and fun. The force of the wind rushing against you as you fall sounds loud and feels like nothing you’ve experienced before. It feels more like flying than falling.Your clothes will be flapping around you, your skin will be quivering and you’ll probably pull some funny faces.
Yes. It’s similar to sticking your head out of the car when you’re driving fast. You can scream, laugh or sing. Once the parachute has opened, you’ll be able to have a conversation with the instructor and have a good look around at the beautiful Mossel Bay area.
We have taken many people that are afraid of heights on a tandem skydive that have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There is no depth perception. It’s more like looking at a Google Earth picture.
Plan to be with us for about two and a half hours. Once you have completed the administration and payment, the instructor will give you a short briefing about some of the safety rules, what to expect in the airplane, how to hold your body during free-fall and what to expect when the parachute opens. Your flight to 10,000 feet is about 20 minutes in our Cessna 182 or about 8 minutes in the super fast King Air. You’ll freefall for up to 50 seconds and the parachute ride is about 5-7 minutes.
120mph or 200 km/ph with drogue fall. Under the parachute, you will gently glide down before landing. You can choose the Extreme Ride option if you prefer more of a rollercoaster ride when the instructor will do some spiral turns under canopy.
The tandem instructor, like all skydivers, jumps with two parachutes. If the main parachute doesn’t open, the instructor will deploy the reserve parachute. The reserve parachute is the backup. In the unlikely event that the instructor can’t deploy the reserve, there is a smart computer in the equipment known as an automatic activation device (AAD) that will open the reserve parachute.
Each of you will have his or her own personal tandem instructor. Your friend can join you on the same flight but you will exit the aircraft seperately a few seconds apart so that there is a safe distance between you in freefall and under the parachute.
What's the landing like?
The Tandem Instructor will control the landing and both of you will slide in on your backsides. Sometimes, depending on the conditions, you can also have a stand up landing on your feet.What’s important is to listen to the instuctions your instructor gives you while under the parachute.
For sure. The Tandem Instructor wears a specially designed glove with two cameras, one for video and for for photographs. We will capture the whole experience from gettinginto the plane, the flight up, freefall, the parachure ride and landing. We include a few short and fun interviews and music. You can also choose a 3rd Eye Camera which is another qualified skydiver that follows you and the Tandem Instructor out the plane and take footage form a different perspective.
No. The Basic Safety Requirments of the Parachute Association of South Africa (PASA) stipulate that only a Category II trained skydiver is permitted to carry a camera on a skydive. There are a number of hazards a camera can cause when the parachute opens and for safety reasons, only appropriately trained skydivers, like the Tandem Instructor, will be permitted to take a camera on the skydive.
What should I wear and what can I take with me?
Wear anything comfortable. You will be given a jumpsuit to wear over your clothes. In the winter months, bring a warm fleece top and gloves. The best shoes are tie up shoes like running shoes. Sandals and slip-on shoes with come off in freefall. Please leave jewellery, ear rings and other trinckets at home.
It rarely happens but if you decide that you don’t want to skydive after the aircraft has taken off, you and the Tandem Instructor can land with the plane. No refunds are given if you decide not to skydive after the plane has taken off.
Skydiving is weather dependent. The best weather is mild winds and blue skies. If you made a reservation and the weather forecast is not good for skydiving, we’ll let you know. You can either reschedule or if this is not possible, you can cancel the booking. There is no cancellation fee.
The scenery over Mossel Bay form 10,000 feet is beautiful. You can see our stunning coast line, the ocean and the Outeniqua mountains. Skydive Mossel Bay has one of the best views in South Africa. Truly unforgettable.
Yes. It’s easy to make a booking. Just phone or Whatsapp us on +27 (0)82 824 8599 or email info@skydivemosselbay.com . We are open 7 days a week.
There is a weight restriction of max 100kgs for men and 90kgs for ladies. Parachute systems have a maximum designed weight limit and we have to take into account the total weight and BMI of the passenger, the equipment and the Tandem Instructor to make sure we are not outside the limits of the equipment.
The youngest child must have turned 12 years old. There is a height and weight restriction for children. They must be 40kgs or more and taller than 135cms. The child’s body frame must be big enough that the adult harness can fit them securely.
You will be given a pair of flexi goggles to wear. Depending on the shape of your glasses, the goggles may fit over them. If not, you’ll have to leave the glasses behind.
You could either drive to our dropzone (Click on the map on the contact page for directions) or we can pick you up from Mossel Bay Town.
Yes. Spectators are welcome. We love to hear your friends and family cheer you on as you walk to the plane and when you land. They give you courage and help ease the nerves. And they will probably want to skydive too once they see how much fun you had.
Yes, just choose the jump altitude, supply us with your address and credit card details and we post the voucher to you.
We accept ZAR(South African Rands).
