Skydiving For Teens and Students

If you’re a teenager who’s really stoked on the idea of making a skydive, you might be wondering about the skydiving minimum age. Do you have to be 18 to skydive? How old do you have to be to go skydiving with a parent? No matter who’s with you or who gives you permission, the answer to “Can you skydive under 18?” is not really. At least not in the United States. 

Can minors skydive in other countries? The laws regarding the skydiving age topic vary from country to country, so there are opportunities to jump out of an airplane before you turn 18 if you’re willing to travel. But, if you’re looking to stay put, you can go ahead and start your countdown to your 18th birthday. 

In fact, skydiving can make for an incredible 18th birthday present, college graduation gift, or team building activity for student groups. We can answer all of your questions about teen and student skydiving, skydiving age requirements, and alternatives for adventurous teens who just don’t fit the bill quite yet. 

The Skydiving Birthday: A Classic

Turning 18 is a milestone birthday that deserves the biggest huzzah! It’s known as the moment a kid becomes an adult, crossing the threshold into the world of opportunity. It’s also the age at which you can legally skydive for the first time! 

Celebrating your birthday in the sky is, in our opinion, the best way to spend your big day. Enjoy beautiful views and exhilarating adrenaline while commemorating one of the most memorable birthdays you’ll ever have. And by skydiving tandem, you’ll have the benefit of a highly experienced skydiving instructor by your side (or on your back) throughout the whole process. All you’ll have to do is show up, flash your (newly minted) over 18 ID, and enjoy the experience. 

And really, who are we kidding? Skydiving birthdays aren’t reserved just for those who are turning 18. As long as the number you’re turning is above that pivotal age, skydiving is the perfect option for a celebration! It’s your birthday – go full send! 

Pro tip: Don’t forget to get video of the whole thing so that you can relive the amazing memories for birthdays to come! 

Collegiate Skydiving 

College is a time of growth, learning, experimentation, and fun. It’s the period in your life when you start to figure out who you are and what you like, and you’re allowed to have a blast doing it. As it turns out, skydiving checks all of those boxes as well! Jumping out of an airplane is a great way to decompress after a semester of hard classes or congratulate yourself for achieving your goals. 

It’s also an incredible way to further bond with the people you’ve come to know during your college experience. One of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive at the dropzone is the sense of community that permeates the air. These people are family. And you’ll quickly realize, after your own skydive, why the act of jumping out of an airplane bonds people together. Overcoming the fear of the jump together and supporting each other through that impressive feat creates a connection that will last a lifetime. It’s a moment in time only you and your friends share. 

But that’s not where the college opportunities end. We’ve all heard of college level sports – an entire portion of the US economy rests on their shoulders. But what about college extreme sports? College skydiving teams are actually a thing! There are national competitions for college level aero-athletes that mirror the competitions that professional skydivers participate in. So if you’re looking to elevate your college experience even more (literally), look into joining or even creating a skydiving team at your school! 

Is the Minimum Age for Skydiving Negotiable? 

Unfortunately, no. Not even if your parents sign for you saying it’s okay. The reason for this is that skydiving dropzones must use “hold harmless” waivers, and these waivers are only binding if the person signing is at the age of consent – 18 or older in the USA. Parental or guardian permission holds no validity on these types of legal contracts. 

It’s not just us, either; it’s every USPA (United States Parachute Association) member dropzone in the United States. When we became a USPA member dropzone, we agreed to abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the USPA, which includes the minimum age requirement. And don’t get any ideas that you might be able to sneak by with a mature looking hairstyle or sophisticated glasses – we require a valid, government-issued photo ID from every potential skydiver to ascertain that we never bring anyone into the plane who hasn’t crossed that landmark birthday. 

So, what do you do if you’re under 18 and you just CANNOT wait to experience the thrill of freefall? We know that there isn’t anything quite like making a skydive, but there’s something you can do that’s close – and that can actually help you once you’re old enough to start skydiving in earnest. It’s the indoor wind tunnel, and it’s pretty much the best thing to happen to skydiving since, well, airplanes were invented. The closest indoor tunnel to Long Island Skydiving Center is in Yonkers, NY, and it’s totally worth the drive! 

Long story short: We know it’s hard to wait when all you can seem to think about is flying. But y’know what? You can rest assured that there’s a whole airborne world waiting for you on the other side if you use your time wisely.
If you have any questions about the skydiving age limit or skydiving opportunities for teens and students, don’t hesitate to reach out! And once you’re ready to experience the benefits of being an official adult, come jump with us! Blue skies.