Skydiving has been a long time dream of mine that kept getting put off for later. Before my trip to the UAE, I was looking for information about interesting places and found a review about skydiving in Dubai, so I got the idea and fulfilled my dream. A large number of colourful photos on the Internet have done their job, maybe my review will encourage someone to take this step.
Skydive Dubai – the company is located in the area of Dubai Marina, you can get there without problems, there are places for parking. There is a cafe on site, you can just come and watch others jumping. Opening hours are from 10am to 6pm (or until sunset, it all depends on the time of year).
Tickets are better to buy in advance on the official website. On the spot to buy a ticket is almost unrealistic (if at all realistic), there are a lot of people and all with bought through the Internet. The cost of the ticket is 2000 dirhams, when buying online you pay 1000 dirhams, the rest on the spot (there is a jump over the island of Palma and in the desert, the second option is cheaper). An electronic voucher will be sent to the post office, you need to print it out. You can also fill out an agreement that you agree with all the terms and conditions of the company, that there are no medical contraindications, etc., download links will be in the letter. Also there are restrictions on weight and height, before buying a ticket you will be asked to calculate this figure on a special calculator on the site. In case of what happens the prepayment is not refundable, only if the jump is postponed due to weather conditions and the fault of the organisation. Clothing for the jump should be comfortable, sporty, in other all wishes will specify in the letter.
The cost of the jump also includes high-quality photos, video with your interviews before, before and after the jump. The cameraman jumps with you. Each couple has a different operator.
I booked my ticket a fortnight in advance for 10.45am. It is better to plan your jump time for the morning, as in case the weather is not great you will be waiting and whoever is at the top of the list has a better chance of jumping. But on the day of my jump the weather was great. We arrived at the place earlier, looked around, there were already a lot of people. Then everyone was allowed inside the building, registration, weighing, payment of the rest of the fee, then you get a ticket and there is a waiting time when you will be called for a briefing before the jump. On a screen in the hall, you can see which group you’re in and when approximately you’ll be jumping. Don’t expect to get to the exact time on your voucher, you’ll probably have to wait, I had a delay of about forty minutes or even an hour. But you won’t get bored watching other participants and people who have already returned.
When it’s your turn, you’ll be called by name and surname. You will meet the instructor, I had an English speaking guy, we exchanged a few phrases, a briefing was given, a video cameraman took photos, filmed an interview, put on the necessary gear and our group was called for loading. Before the plane, in the plane also shoot a video, the instructor calms me down, as this is my first jump and from excitement I am not verbose. But there is no turning back, everything is paid for. We don’t fly for long, about 10 minutes, then the instructor straps you in, gives you goggles, the door opens and everyone is told to prepare for the jump, reminding you what to do afterwards. The moment when you stand on the edge of the plane, look down and the thought “Why did I go for it, maybe I shouldn’t do it?” can’t be conveyed in words. If it wasn’t a tandem, I would have had to be shoved out of the plane! Then a step forward and a minute of free flight, the air hurts your face, especially your ears, you are flying at a crazy speed and you just can’t believe you did it. And a video cameraman is flying next to you, taking photos and video. Then the parachute opens, you relax a little and look at all the beauty below. It’s unforgettable. The instructor will spin you in the air to add emotions, you will fly for a while, enjoy the beauty and then land. You will pick up the photo and video after half an hour in the shop. In this time you can drink tea or coffee, recover from what happened.
