If you’re a fan of skydiving, you might want to experience that same rush of excitement and accomplishment again. I’ve put together a list of activities that will give you the same thrilling feeling. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro searching for your next adrenaline fix, this list has something for everyone.
Skydiving is a unique experience that elicits a wide range of emotions, from anticipation and excitement at the dropzone to anxiety and nervousness during the aircraft ride. The sensory overload and speed during free fall are quickly replaced by a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the view from above.
The feeling of accomplishment and pride after landing is unmatched and leaves a lasting impression. These are feelings that skydivers crave and can be found in other adrenaline-fueled activities as well.
Bungee Jumping Invokes the Same Thrill and Nervousness as Skydiving
If you’re a fan of the thrill and nervousness that comes with skydiving, then bungee jumping might be the perfect activity for you. Both experiences involve a similar build-up of excitement and anticipation before the jump, with your heart racing and adrenaline pumping.
In fact, studies have shown that both skydiving and bungee jumping can cause similar physical responses in the body, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. People also usually also feel the same level of achievement afterward. After all, you overcame your fears in both activities, giving you confidence that you can overcome other challenges that life throws at you.
So if you’re looking for an equally exhilarating adventure that will give you that same sense of accomplishment, bungee jumping might just be the next challenge for you to tackle.
Paragliding Matches the Experience of a Canopy Ride
If you enjoyed flying the canopy during skydiving, you might want to try paragliding, hang gliding, or speed flying. All three activities are very similar and involve steering a canopy. You are able to control your rate of descent, and flying maneuvers and learn how to read the wind.
Here is a quick explanation of the difference between the three types:
- Paragliding involves using a fabric wing that is inflated by the wind and controlled by the pilot’s body movements.
- Hang gliding is a sport in which the pilot flies a glider that is suspended from a frame or “hang-glider” while lying prone.
- Speed flying is a blend of paragliding and skiing, with pilots gliding through the air at high speeds, usually over mountain terrain.
In addition to being fun and exciting, these activities are also great for building confidence and improving overall flying skills. Specifically, seasoned skydivers can help improve their techniques significantly.
Are you interested in paragliding and wingsuit flying but can only chose one activity? If so, make sure to read my article 13 differences between wingsuits and paragliding to get a comprehensive picture of the differences. The article will also help you decide which activity to try out first
Aircraft Flying Lets You Experience the Beauty of the Sky
Skydiving and aircraft flying may seem like vastly different activities, but they share one crucial commonality: an unparalleled bird’s eye view of the world below. Both experiences offer breathtaking scenery and the opportunity to let your mind wander as you gaze out at the vast expanse of the sky.
Friends of mine who skydive and are pilots also often explain that the communities are quite similar as well. Both communities share a common love for the thrill of flying, and a strong sense of camaraderie, and are inspired by the idea that everyone should be oneself.
On top, knowing how to fly an aircraft can be helpful for skydivers because it provides a deeper understanding of how to maneuver and navigate the sky, potentially leading to a safer and more enjoyable experience during the jump.
Bonus tip: Try flying sailplanes (planes that do not have an engine)! It is an excellent way to gain a deeper understanding of wind flows and to get even closer to the sensation of human flying, all while minimizing harm to the environment.
Motorbike Riding Has Little Margin for Error
Riding a motorbike can be quite similar to skydiving, as both offer a thrilling experience that is driven by high speed, the feeling of wind on your skin, and the sensation of freedom. Moreover, they require quick reactions to unpredictable situations, such as pits in the road for motorbikes or line entanglement during parachute deployment.
If you are too slow to react to such situations, the consequence might be deadly. Both activities leave no margin for error, which contributes to the thrill and excitement of both experiences, making them unforgettable adventures.
Try Variations of Skydiving: BASE Jumping, Wingsuit Flying, and Indoor Skydiving
By trying different variations of skydiving, such as BASE jumping, wingsuit flying, or indoor skydiving, you can have a similarly thrilling experience while also improving your technique in different areas. It’s a great way to challenge yourself and discover new aspects of the sport while enjoying the rush of adrenaline that comes with it.
- BASE jumping involves jumping off a fixed object, such as a bridge or a building, and deploying a parachute at a low altitude. It is considered more intense than skydiving due to the lower altitude, leaving less margin for error and making it a high-risk activity. As a result, base jumping can normally only be performed by experienced skydivers.
- Indoor skydiving is a popular activity that simulates the sensation of freefall without the need for jumping from an airplane. It’s an ideal way to try out new maneuvers, perfect techniques, and gain confidence in a controlled environment. Plus it is a lot of fun!
- Wingsuit flying is an exhilarating subdiscipline of skydiving that involves gliding through the air in a special suit that adds surface area to the body. With the ability to perform proximity flying and to travel greater distances, it’s no wonder that wingsuit flying gives an incredible thrill and feels even more like flying than skydiving. Plus, it’s a great way to improve your awareness of wind and weather conditions.
- Bonus tip: Balloon jumping involves jumping out of a hot air balloon with a parachute rather than jumping out of a fast-moving aircraft. One of the unique aspects of balloon jumping is that you can choose to exit in a more controlled manner, such as hanging from the balloon first or performing a stylish salto. It is even suitable for skydiving amateurs.
Bobsledding to Reach High Speeds
Bobsledding might surprise you on the list but it is a nerve-wracking experience! It’s similar to skydiving in that you can reach incredible speeds while feeling the wind on your face (speeds of over 100 mph are possible). The sensation of speed is even more intense because of the multiple anchor points that you have when rushing down the tracks. It feels like nothing can stop you!
If you’re a speed junkie, bobsledding is an absolute must-try.
Skiing to Increase Your Fitness and Level of Focus
Skydiving and skiing are both extremely fun and thrilling activities that take you outside and allow you to experience the beauty of nature in a unique and exhilarating way. They also have a few “sporty” similarities, such as requiring a good sense of balance and body control. In both sports, you need to stay aware of your body position to avoid accidents.
Another similarity is the need to be aware of your surroundings. When skiing, you need to be mindful of other skiers, and in skydiving, it is important to avoid other jumpers.
Finally, some experienced skydivers feel that formation skydiving is similar to skiing because of the collisions that can occur. In formation skydiving, it is common to bump into other skydivers or hit other skydivers with a hand or leg. This resembles falling on the ground in skiing.
If you’re curious about the physical effects of skydiving on your body, check out my post on “11 Incredible Effects of Skydiving on Your Body”. You’ll learn all about how this thrilling activity can impact your physical and mental health in surprising ways.
Rafting to Center Yourself and Enjoy the Environment
Rafting and skydiving are both fun activities that allow you to escape the stresses of everyday life and enjoy the beauty of the natural world. In both activities, you can experience a unique perspective of the environment and immerse yourself in the great outdoors. A friend of mine actually calls rafting the skydiving of water.
It is also easy to participate in both activities. You can do rafting as part of a group where you have a guide who ensures that everything goes smoothly. In skydiving, you can also do a tandem jump without previous experience.
Canyoning to Feel a High Level of Adventure
Canyoning is an outdoor adventure activity that involves navigating canyons, streams, and rivers using a variety of techniques such as hiking, climbing, jumping, rappelling, and swimming. It’s a challenging and exciting activity that requires a lot of physical and mental strength, as well as a good sense of balance and coordination, just as skydiving does.
For me, canyoning is also similar to skydiving because both activities invoke a sense of adventure in me and make me feel like I’m in an action movie. One also needs to constantly overcome one’s fears in both activities: whether it’s jumping from a cliff, climbing a high rock, rappelling from a high point, or jumping out of a plane, you are always pushed outside your comfort zone.
These elements of adventure and facing fears make canyoning a great activity for anyone who loves the rush of adrenaline and the thrill of exploring nature.
Downhill Mountain Biking to Strengthen Awareness of Your Surroundings
I love both mountain biking and skydiving because they both offer constant adrenaline spikes and a thrilling sense of speed. In skydiving, you feel the rush of free-falling through the air, while on a mountain bike, you can speed down a steep trail with the wind whipping past you.
Another similarity between the two is the need to stay aware of your surroundings and the terrain. In skydiving, you have to watch out for other jumpers and ensure you land in a safe spot. If you land offside the drop zone it is crucial that you do not hit any obstacle such as a rock.
Similarly, while mountain biking, you have to scan the trail ahead and look out for rocks, roots, or other obstacles that could cause a nasty crash.
Zorbing to Experience the Same Sensory Overload
Zorbing is a recreational activity where participants are strapped inside a transparent plastic ball and roll down a hill or on a flat surface. It provides a thrilling and unique experience as you roll, bounce and spin around in the ball. If you haven’t tried it out, you should.
Zorbing can create a feeling of sensory overload due to the spinning and tumbling motion. This can lead to a sense of disorientation and loss of control, similar to the sensation that some first-time skydivers experience during their free fall when they are bombarded by a rush of sensations and stimuli all at once.
If you want to learn more about the true (and unexpected) feelings during skydiving and what causes sensory overload, check out this post on “The 7 True Feelings of Skydiving”.
Zip Lining to Be Challenged By Extreme Heights
Skydiving and zip lining share several similarities, such as the fact that both activities involve extreme heights and can be thrilling experience that challenges one’s fears. Both activities require participants to step out of their comfort zone and can help to build confidence and self-esteem.
Additionally, skydiving and zip lining provide an opportunity to take in stunning views from high above the ground. Participants can enjoy a unique perspective of the surrounding landscape, which may be difficult or impossible to access otherwise.
While skydiving and zip lining differ in terms of the level of training required, the experience of conquering one’s fear of heights and enjoying the thrill of soaring high above the ground is a common thread between the two activities.
Extreme Water Sliding to Mimic Flying
You might have never heard about this one but I assure you it is a lot of fun. Extreme water sliding lets participants ride large inflatable rafts down specially designed slides that are often several stories tall and contain twists, turns, drops, and other obstacles. It often also involves a jump at the end in which you can fly for several meters.
Similar to skydiving, extreme water sliding is considered an extreme sport due to the speed and height involved in the activity.
As you see, there are many activities out there that can provide the same thrill and excitement as skydiving. By trying out these different activities, you can improve your skills and techniques, while experiencing that same sense of freedom and rush that skydiving provides.
I love to challenge myself constantly with such new experiences. And even while each activity may be unique, they all share a common thread of exhilaration, risk-taking, and pushing oneself to the limits.
That being said, enjoy your free fall!
