How to Cross Skydiving Off Your Bucket List

Bucket lists never fail to fascinate. From the ebullient, reality-flexible versions you’ll see in kindergarten classrooms (“Move to Disneyland!” “Get a pet alien!” “Make friends with Moana!”) to the equally reality-flexible versions written up by adults (“Lose 20 pounds!” “Get on the property ladder!” “Stop scrolling every time your hands are free!”), they tend to represent a wide swath of human endeavor. One item, however, has a tendency to top the list–every list, every age, everywhere–and that’s skydiving. A whopping percentage of the first-time tandem skydivers who come to the Ozarks Skydiving Center come here with one thing in mind: to check it off.

You certainly already know that skydiving deserves its dignified placement as the number-one bucket list item. What you might not know is that it’s actually a very powerful turbo-charge to mow down the rest of that list! Most skydivers report that it has been way easier for them to check off the other items once the “do a skydive” checkbox is struck through. Maybe it’s the magic of just doin’ it, maybe it’s the elation that freefall confers or maybe it’s due to the spike in confidence a skydive creates. Whatever it is, it works like magic!

1. Find a place

This is important! You’re going to want to do this bucket-list item justice. Skydive at a safe, reputable dropzone with a good vibe.

The best place to find the most professional, most up-to-date skydiving dropzone is by far the dropzone listing maintained by the United States Parachute Association. As the organization that sets the standards for policy, technology and training, the USPA has actively pushed our sport into safer and safer territory since way back when the sport was founded. USPA member dropzones are special, because they uphold a pledge follow USPA’s exacting requirements as far as safety, instructor training and equipment maintenance. (If you’re wondering: heckyeah, we’re members.)

2. Get that evidence!

This is your very first skydive. That’s huge! Like any of life’s big “firsts,” you’d kick yourself if you didn’t get beautiful proof positive. Folks who make a first-time tandem skydive and don’t get photos and video always regret that choice. Always always always. So for heaven’s sake, don’t let the experience get away without snagging the all-important photo and video documentation!

3. Share the inspiration.

Think about this again: Skydiving tops every bucket list on the planet. That means that, if you ask them, the loved ones around you share that goal! How about taking the next logical step and inviting them along? Sharing a bucket list “check-off moment”–especially one that’s this big a deal–is one of life’s most reliably ecstatic pleasures. How about taking your whole tribe into a new era? You could be the catalyst for some beautiful personal revolutions in the lives of the people you care about.

What are you waiting for? Get out there and start checking off items!