by Christopher Gryniewicz

Created on: December 22, 2009

Indoor skydiving provides the joys and thrills of the free fall without the need for a plane or a parachute. This alternative to the traditional sport is so safe that children as young as three years old can even participate. In fact, in the twenty years indoor skydiving has existed there has only been one recorded fatality.

How does it work? Participants strap on a helmet and don a flight suit before stepping into a vertical wind tunnel. Once inside, high powered blowers or vacuum suction lift people up off the ground at wind speeds of up to 120 mph. With traditional skydiving, the free fall experience may only last a few minutes, as skydivers are hurling toward the ground while experiencing the weightless sensations of flight. With indoor skydiving however, the free fall lasts for as long as the fan is running, which can even be hours. Indoor skydiving is not only a great way to introduce people to the sport, but it offers a good opportunity for experienced skydivers to practice aerial maneuvers in a more controlled environment.

By moving their hands and legs people can change their altitude and position within the wind current, much like in a true free fall. With a little practice, these same individuals can soon be doing somersaults, spins, and back flips while hovering above the ground. For even more fun and safety, many vertical wind tunnels have padded walls and trampoline floors.

Another major advantage, and joy, to indoor skydiving is cost. This indoor thrill ride will help keep more money in the participants' wallet than traditional skydiving. The cost of a three to five minute experience is usually in the range of $20 to $30 and a full hour is around $350. This may sound like a large sum of money for a three-minute experience, but when considering that the cost of a plane jump is around $100 each time it is a major saving.

Beyond the true dare-devils, the number one reason most people sky-dive is to experience the sensation of the free fall and although skydiving has come a long way in terms of safety it will never be as safe as indoor skydiving. For those who need a chance at death to feel a rush, grab your chute and head for the skies, for everyone else, indoor skydiving can offer a great rush for a quarter of the price with minimal risks to your well-being.

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