How Do I Get Involved?
We recommend first doing a tandem skydive first, although it is not necessary. A tandem jump is where you are strapped to the front of a professional instructor in which you are along for the ride. This is where you can "get your feet wet" and see if you enjoy the sport of skydiving. You can do one of these jumps on your own or with other UConn students during one of our tandem weekends.
If you love your tandem, the next step is to become a licensed United States Parachute Association skydiver. No experience necessary! |
How Do I Get a Skydiving License?
We regularly jump at Connecticut Parachutists Inc (CPI) in Ellington, CT. CPI offers an Accelerated Freefall (AFF) student program. The AFF program consists of numerous jumps alongside experienced instructors, wearing your own parachute, and learning to fly your body and parachute safely. As a student in AFF, you will make 25 jumps as you learn new skills in the air and on the ground. Equipment is provided and at the end of your 25 jumps you are a licensed skydiver! More Info. Come to one of our club meetings for more information. Even Jonathan the Husky did a first jump!
Once I Am Licensed, What's Next?
Now the fun really begins. As a licensed skydiver, your jumps now cost between $20 and $29 each. (That is not a typo, yes it is that cheap!) Having a skydiving license allows you to do solo or group jumps, jump from cool things like helicopters and hot-air balloons, do high altitude (HALO) jumps, fly in a wing suit, and even jump at night! Best of all, you can jump with the UConn club, compete at Collegiate Nationals, and enjoy all the perks of a UConn Skydiver. We receive funding through the university for training jumps, competition fees, equipment, and wind tunnel training. The club owns 10 complete Aerodyne skydiving rigs as well as other various gear. This allows UConn skydiving members to save literally thousands of dollars. Skydiving is also a gateway to many other sports including paragliding, paramotoring, BASE jumping, wingsuit BASE, hang gliding, and more.
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