Is Skydiving a Good Gift? An Honest Look Before You Buy

Key Takeaways 
A skydive is one of the few gifts people remember for the rest of their lives but it only works if your recipient can jump and actually wants to. At Wisconsin Skydiving Center, tandem students must be at least 18 with a government-issued photo ID, weigh no more than 260 lbs, and be in generally good health with basic mobility. Before you buy, it’s worth quietly confirming they’re interested. Nerves before a jump are normal and almost always pass, but nobody should be pressured into a skydive. WSC gift certificates never expire, are transferable, and are refundable within 30 days of purchase, so there’s no real risk if it turns out not to be their thing.

Considering a skydive gift but unsure if it’s the right move? For those who are eligible to jump and have expressed interest in trying it, skydiving is an awesome gift! 

But, those two caveats are important. A skydive can be an incredible gift for someone who loves adventure or has always talked about trying it. It can be an awkward gift for someone who has no interest in jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. If you’re wondering if someone would like it, one trick is to bring it up yourself with something like, “Man, I’ve always wanted to skydive!” and then seeing what they say. 

Also … what is a good gift for someone who enjoys skydiving? Monday, honey! Skydiving gift certificates aren’t just for tandem skydivers and can be made in any amount for those who already love the sport. 

What Makes a Skydive Different From Other Experience Gifts?

Skydiving is obviously an adrenaline-filled experience, but the actual appeal goes beyond the freefall. There is the anticipation leading up to the jump, the sense of accomplishment afterward, and the story they get to tell for years to come. 

This also makes skydiving a gift that keeps giving. The anticipation starts when they receive the gift, long before they ever get on the airplane, and jumping has a special type of momentum that stays alive long after they land from the jump. 

Before You Buy: Can Your Recipient Actually Jump?

When it comes to skydiving gift ideas, this is the first thing to check. Nobody wants to receive an exciting gift only to find out they can’t use it.

Requirements for a tandem skydive at Wisconsin Skydiving Center:

• They must be 18 or older and have a valid, government-issued photo ID.

• The maximum tandem student weight is 260 pounds.
  There is a weight surcharge for students over 200 pounds. 

• They must be in generally good health and have sufficient mobility for the jump.
  What does this mean? Medical conditions are handled on a case-by-case basis, so if your recipient has a health concern, it’s best to contact the dropzone rather than guess whether they qualify.

Why is weight such a thing in skydiving? Because we have to put the safety of our students and instructors, and the gear manufacturers’ limits first! The easiest approach is to discreetly check if your potential recipient is eligible before purchasing. 

How Much Does a Skydiving Gift Cost?

How much does a typical skydive cost? A tandem skydive at Wisconsin Skydiving Center starts at $289. The final cost can vary based on factors such as weight and optional photo and video packages – which are totally worth it. 

Here is a quick breakdown of our tandem skydiving prices and specials: 

• Jump on a Tuesday: $239
• Student or military: $269 
• Regular tandem skydive: $289
• Red carpet tandem skydive: $309

What about extras? 

• 200lbs to 229lbs: extra $50 
• 230lbs to 260lbs: extra $100 
• Video: $99
• Photos: $99
• Video and photos: $125
• Video, photos, and a social media clip: $135

Have questions about our pricing? Don’t hesitate to give us a call! Ready to buy? Head over to our gift certificates page. 

What Occasions Suit a Skydiving Gift?

There aren’t many occasions that don’t suit a skydive gift, in our opinion, but the most popular reasons people gift a skydive include: 

• Graduations: A skydive is a memorable way to mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

• Anniversaries and milestones: Jumping together turns the gift into something you experience rather than simply unwrap.

• Holidays: For someone who already has plenty of stuff, an experience can be much more memorable than another physical gift.

• Personal achievements: A new job, retirement, major accomplishment, or personal milestone, such as sobriety, can all be good reasons to celebrate with a skydive.

For birthdays, see our dedicated guide to giving skydiving as a birthday gift!

How to Give Skydiving as a Gift 

You know your gift recipient best – present your skydiving gift in a way that’ll get them stoked from the get-go!

• Pick a date together. Give the gift along with a tentative jump date. Having a plan can turn an open-ended idea into something they actually look forward to.

• Make it a shared jump. Buy two jumps and go with them! Sharing the anticipation and experience can make the gift even more meaningful.

• Add the video. Include photos or video as part of the gift so they don’t have to decide about capturing the experience later.

• Make a photo album. Fill an album with memories from previous adventures, then leave the last few pages blank with a note about what comes next – eek! 

• Put it on a cake. Something as simple as “Next Stop: Skydiving” can turn the reveal into part of the gift.

• Use a balloon or piñata reveal. Hide the gift inside and let the recipient discover it themselves.

• Go for the full surprise. Drive them to the dropzone without telling them where you’re going. This can be great for someone who has already said they want to skydive. But …

Should You Surprise Someone With a Skydive?

This is probably the biggest question to consider before buying a skydive for someone. A surprise skydive can be fantastic for someone who has already talked about wanting to jump. Maybe they’ve mentioned skydiving several times, watched videos about it, or said they want to try it someday. In that case, the surprise is the timing, not the idea itself.

It’s different if you’ve decided they should skydive without knowing whether they actually want to. There is also a difference between being nervous and genuinely not wanting to jump. Almost everyone gets nervous before a first skydive. That’s normal. Being scared on the way up doesn’t necessarily mean someone has changed their mind.

But someone who genuinely doesn’t want to jump shouldn’t be pressured into it.

That’s one reason giving the recipient flexibility can make a skydiving gift less risky. Wisconsin Skydiving Center gift certificates never expire and are transferable, giving the recipient time to decide when they’re ready or pass it on to someone else. Refunds are also available within the applicable 30-day period.

How to Buy a Skydiving Gift Certificate

If you’ve decided a skydive is right for your recipient, you can purchase a skydiving gift certificate from Wisconsin Skydiving Center right now! The recipient can then choose when they’re ready to take the leap, without having to make that decision on the spot.

Note: skydiving gift certificates are delivered electronically via email.