How Old Do You Have to Be to Skydive? Age Limits for Skydiving Explained

One of the most common questions we hear about skydiving is: how old do you have to be to skydive? At almost all dropzones in the United States, you have to be at least 18 years old to skydive. However, the minimum age to skydive varies throughout the world, so if you’re willing to travel, you may not have to wait as long! 

As someone who probably can’t wait to get on with the adventure, you’re probably thinking: you have to be HOW OLD to skydive?? While it may be hard to wait, the minimum age of skydiving is in place to ensure that the people who jump have the maturity to fully understand their choice. Making a skydive is incredible, and also inherently risky. It’s an extreme sport, after all!

On the bright side, there is no upper age limit when it comes to throwing yourself out of airplanes. That means once you’re old enough, you can go full send! 

Minimum Age to Skydive in the US

Wondering why the minimum age for skydiving in the US is 18 years old? Like many hard and fast age limits, there’s nothing arbitrary about this one. Our 18-year-old hard line is set out by skydiving’s governing body, the United States Parachute Association (USPA). All USPA member dropzones, like Skydive Monroe, enthusiastically follow all guidelines set by the USPA, including this one. 

Factors That Impact Skydiving Age Limits

Physicality

While your instructor will take on all of the major responsibilities during a tandem skydive, you aren’t going to simply be along for the ride. A successful skydive requires active participation, and that means you have to meet a certain level of physical ability. Strength and flexibility are big factors in being able to execute the positions necessary on a skydive, and a certain level of physical maturity is required.

It also comes down to size – our equipment is manufactured to fit a wide range of bodies, but everything has its limits. Tandem harnesses are adjustable to fit adult bodies, so passengers need to be a certain size to safely fit into the equipment.

Mentality

Mental maturity is an extremely influential factor in determining most age limits, and this one is no exception. The minimum age for skydiving is in place partly to ensure that people jumping have the maturity of mind to make an informed decision.
But that’s not the only reason mentality is a factor in your choice to jump. Overcoming any fears and challenging yourself to jump from an airplane takes great mental strength. You’ll need to be able to take on the challenge head-on – to know that, while your instincts might be telling you not to jump, your brain knows the reward that’s on the other side of that fear!

Legality

Another major factor in the age limit for skydiving comes down to legal guidelines. An individual has to be the age of maturity (aka 18) to officially sign a legal document in the US. This is the age at which someone is considered an adult and can legally consent to take on the risks inherent in skydiving. Because of this, you must be at least 18 to sign waivers and jump out of an airplane. 

Can You Skydive Under 18?

If you’re particularly adventure-minded, you may be wondering: where can you go skydiving at 16? Or maybe at 14, or even at 12? Your best bet is to look beyond our borders where skydiving age limits do vary.

Countries like the UK and Australia set their minimum skydiving age limit at 16. In Germany, you can be as young as 12! What is the lowest age limit for skydiving? New Zealand, considered by many to be the adventure capital of the world, has no age limit! Unsurprisingly, parental consent is required.

At the end of the day, skydiving age limits are in place for a reason, and we can promise you this: your first skydive will be worth the wait! 

Is there a Maximum Age to Skydive?

Thankfully, once you’ve started skydiving, you never have to stop! There is no upper limit on age for jumping out of airplanes, and the current record for the oldest skydiver ever recorded is 106 years old!! This extraordinary centenarian is Al Blaschke, who originally set the record at 103 and then came back for round two a few years later. 

Blaschke, and the many other skydivers who jump throughout all phases of their lives, prove that as long as you’re physically able, you can live a long life of excitement. Skydivers have even created clubs dedicated to jumping in different decades, spanning from Parachutists Over Phorty (POPS) to Jumpers Over Ninety (JONS)!

One benefit of the skydiving age limit being 18? It makes for a fantastic 18th birthday present! Grab a gift certificate for the new adult in your life, and book your skydive today! Blue skies.