Sri Lanka offers thrilling air activities that showcase its stunning landscapes and iconic landmarks from above. Hot air ballooning provides a serene way to float over lush greenery and ancient ruins, especially in Dambulla. Skydiving delivers an adrenaline rush with breathtaking freefall views of the island’s terrain. Helicopter tours offer luxurious aerial perspectives of attractions like Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Adam’s Peak, perfect for covering multiple destinations.
Skydiving is an exhilarating adventure sport that involves jumping from an aircraft, usually from a height of around 10,000 to 14,000 feet (or even higher), and freefalling before deploying a parachute to slow the descent and land safely on the ground. It's a thrilling experience that offers an intense rush of adrenaline and a bird's-eye view of the world below.
Tandem Skydiving: This is the most popular choice for beginners. In a tandem skydive, you are harnessed to an experienced instructor who handles all the technical aspects of the jump, including the parachute deployment. The instructor guides you through the entire process, so you don’t need prior experience.
Solo Skydiving: For those who want to skydive on their own, solo jumps are possible once you have completed proper training and certification. The basic training for solo jumps typically includes the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program, where you learn to exit the aircraft, stabilize your body position during freefall, and deploy your own parachute.
Key Aspects of Skydiving
Freefall: After jumping from the plane, you'll experience freefall, where gravity accelerates your descent at speeds of around 120 mph (193 km/h) for a period that usually lasts between 40-60 seconds, depending on the jump altitude.
Parachute Deployment: At around 2,000-3,000 feet (600-900 meters), the parachute is deployed (either automatically or manually, depending on the jump type), and the descent slows significantly. You'll glide peacefully for several minutes before landing.
Landing: A proper landing technique involves lifting your legs up and allowing the parachute to slow the descent as you touch down.
Safety
Skydiving is a highly regulated activity, and the risk involved is generally very low if you follow safety procedures. Tandem jumpers are accompanied by instructors who are trained to handle emergencies, and equipment is regularly inspected. Advanced jumpers undergo extensive training and practice emergency procedures.
