I have always wanted to fly not only as a kid, but even now. When I came across something like skydiving, I knew that I had to do it. But I did not want to do it from just anywhere. So I waited from the best, and it was worth. When Richie and I planned for visiting Spain, I found out online about Skydive Empuriabrava. It is one of the best skydiving facilities in Europe, and stands out among the top 5 in the world. Richie has vertigo, he was backing off while we were planning to book it. So I had evil plans – I gifted him a gift voucher from Skydive Empuriabrava on his birthday, and he had to accept it. Yayy! We finally experienced our first tandem jump – we were successful! It would stay in our memories forever.
The Introduction
We were on our road-trip to Spain and Southern France. After spending a great evening in the UNESCO-listed medieval town of Carcassonne, France, we headed to Empuriabrava the following day. It was our D-day. We had booked 12.30 PM slots for two of us in Skydive Empuriabrava. We were asked to reach 15-20 min prior to finish few formalities before we skydive. Empuriabrava, Spain is 180 km south from Carcassonne, France and just 150 km north of Barcelona, Spain. It is located in the Costa Brava region.
We reached Skyding Empuriabrava at around noon. We checked in at the reception. There was some paperwork where we basically signed our life away and waived the Tandem jump of any liability in case any of us or both of us face any injury or die or face any mishap. This looked like we were gambling our lives, but in reality I did not really feel anything, not sure about Richie. But we were sure we are not heading anywhere without doing the skydiving that day. We signed our consent forms and sat down to wait.
The sky was clear, the weather was perfect for us to skydive. It was clear, blue, and sunny with cool breeze. I was looking at the sky while waiting and watched many experienced skydivers doing special flips in the air and landing at the drop zone. I was excited to see so many successful jumps. Skydive Empuriabrava has zero accident record, so my mind was calm. I knew we were in the best place to experience our first tandem jump.
Skydiving Lesson
We had to wait for almost an hour. It was a busy day for the instructors. At around 1.30 PM, our names were called and we met our respective instructors. My professional instructor gave me the jump suit to put it over what I was wearing. The suit was little loose but then he fixed the harness and it was fine then. My instructor also fixed diving goggles on the side of my arms and asked me that he will give those to me inside the airplane. He asked me to look up while diving and smile in front of camera. He also added that I must look for his sign when he will give me his hand to hold and I have to let him go as per his sign. The instruction lasted for maybe 5 minutes.
We also met our photographer or videographer who would jump out the plane before us and record us as we take the tandem jump.He took our interview video and asked us if it was our first tandem jump and whether we were nervous. I was not nervous that time and was feeling like I am going to some war front to save my country hahahaha!
Ready to Fly
After standing around in our jumpsuits and harnesses for a good sweaty 10 minutes, we walked out to the airplane boarding area. We boarded the aircraft and at that moment, there was no turning back. It felt like the whole universe is conspiring me to take the jump. We got in. The door closed. We were off. We would be flying up to 4,500 m or 13,000 ft in air. The small plane fit in few more first-timers with their instructors and few experienced solo-divers, and of course the pilot.
In the middle of the way, our photographer asked us how I was feeling. To be honest, I was cool all the time when I was in the ground, but in the airplane, fear started creeping in a little. Richie was having funny conversation with his instructor who was trying to divert his mind off, but I started freaking out a little by then. Still I managed to overcome the fear by smiling and looking out of the window. Soon the door opened and the divers started jumping off the plane. The sight was scary. I turned to my instructor and asked, “How many jumps have you taken till date?” He told, “Around 11,000.” Now that was a sigh of relief. I was in safe hands.
The instructor asked me to sit on his lap and he put the goggles on me. He checked if I was harnessed to him properly. Slowly we chicken-walked to the edge of the door. Richie was supposed to jump before me; I was looking at his movement along with his instructor’s. In no time, they vanished from my sight. That was the moment I felt no anxiety, no fear, no tension. I was ready to fly!
First Tandem Jump
We were at around 4,500 m or 13,000 ft then, right at the edge of the door.
By then, I had forgotten all the instructions he gave me when we were on the ground. I guess he knew it, so he asked me again to cross my arms, bend my knees, and keep my head back. Before he asked me, I asked him, “Are we ready?” He did not answer but just smiled and pushed me off the airplane. I was flying!
I forgot the correct form I had to be in during the 60-second freefall, but my instructor forced me into the correct position. You may wonder how I could be this careless as it might put my life into risk, but trust me, this happens to most of the first-timers. The professional instructors are also aware of the same.
Soon we were floating on a cushion of air. I thought I would feel a falling sensation similar to the rollercoaster one, but I was wrong. I stretched out my arms while I was feeling the sky run through my fingers like charred cotton candy. The tumbler dryer effect was still inside for sometime. I was having the best time floating in the air like a dream.
Parachute and Landing
I soaked into the views of wonderful landscape of Empuriabrava (Girona province), and enjoyed the striking views of Cap de Creus and the Gulf of Roses.
After a minute of freefall, my instructor launched the parachute and I found myself peacefully floating towards the drop zone. He loosened my goggles, unfastened the harness, and asked me if I was alright. Of course, I was! He also asked me if I want few spins with the parachute. Who would deny that? He spinned our parachute 3-4 times to left and right and it was so much fun! I was still gazing at the Pyrenees that rose up like purple shark fins. The Mediterranean coast was shining clearly. My instructor pointed out the airport, the towns, the yachts, and the border with France that hovers on the horizon.
My feet swept into the ground gracefully – I could hardly feel anything. I could not believe I experienced my first tandem jump few minutes before. Richie already landed before me and hugged me tightly as I landed after such an exhilarating experience. I got out of the harness and returned the jumpsuit and the goggles. We clicked few more pictures with the team and we were done!
We waited for sometime while our photos and videos were processed. Meanwhile, we could watch our video in the back room. It was an adrenaline rush to see what we had just done. Shortly, the staff handed us our first tandem jump freefall certificates along with hard drives that had our photos and videos. We also got discounts for our next jump but there was a limited time to avail the offer. So that was not much of our use.
Overall Feeling
I felt freedom. I felt intoxicated. It was enough to mess with my mind. The feeling was great, honestly, it is inexplicable. I tried my best to express the best moment of my life in words, but I am still not sure if I have done justice with my words. I had waited for this for decades, and it is over now. The entire jump lasted less than 20 min but it created a memory of the lifetime. Richie wanted to skydive again, very soon. Even I would love to d my second jump and many more jumps, but the feeling of the first jump would always be special and close to my heart.
Would I Recommend Skydive Empuriabrava?
If you are in Spain and near Barcelona, you must experience skydiving with Skydive Empuriabrava – The Land of the Sky. No wonder they are among the top 3 skydiving facilities in the world. Their service is excellent. They have few of the best professional skydivers of the world. They have zero accident record and their rates are fair enough. Also, the view of the Pyrenees mountain and the Mediterranean coast is unbeatable. There is no better place in Spain to experience your first tandem jump from. This is not a paid blogpost. I genuinely recommend Skydive Empuriabrava to any divers, whether it is first-timers or not. Experience your first tandem jump now!
Net Expense for 1 Person (in EUR)
At Skydive Empuriabrava, there are few options you can choose from while booking your tandem jump. We booked Tandem Gold, which included the tandem jump, photo report, HD video report, Skydive Empuriabrava T-shirt, and €3 donation to charity. It cost us €388 per person.
If you are thinking whether or not to go for it, or if there is anything to worry of while skydiving, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.
If you are planning for a much-organized, stress-free yet exciting skydiving experience along with your Spain vacation, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, consider booking your holidays with Travel Love Repeat, which would include skydiving experience with Skydive Empuriabrava. It is going to be a treat for sure!
I heard of some famous skydiving spots like the one in Dubai, this is the first time I’ve heard of Empurabravia and my god, the view from the top is surreal! I am kind of envious that you didn’t even feel anything while signing the waiver. I have fear of heights, though I’ve done things that involved facing this fear, it never really goes away. The zero accident is such a relief though. When I go do this in the future, I will only do it with the best operators. Your instructor did 11,000 jumps?! Oh my god that’s quite a lot, and definitely reassuring. The jump is very expensive huh, but then again, the experience is priceless so I’m sure it’s worth it.
Yes, the jump is expensive, but as you said it, totally worth it!
I was awed by your courage to try it out. My fear of heights surpasses my excitement to try it myself lol. The zero accident is indeed a reassurance that you are in good hands. I enjoyed reading the post, feels like heaven even just by reading, I wish I can do it in the future too!
Yes Ann, why not? I am sure you can do it just as I did it. My partner has vertigo issues, he did it too!
Wow…I haven’t done skydiving yet and don’t know if I would fear doing it when I get a chance since I am afraid of heights. But looks like your instructor was so helping and encouraging. I would definitely try to give it a shot when in Spain.
Yes Neha, do it only and only from the best place.
This looks insane! I love the cover photo, I can only imagine what that view would be like ?
Oh yes!
I can totally relate to your account, especially about not being able to register anything in the first few seconds of jumping because of a sensory overload, forgetting the instructions of the position you’re supposed to maintain, etc. I did my first skydive 4 years ago over The Palm in Dubai and what fantastic views! Yours looks pretty awesome too, kudos on being able to do it! Not a lot of people have the balls 😀
Yayyy, it’s great to know that you have done it too, woah!
You are so brave! I’m way too afraid of heights to skydive. Although I can see what a beautiful landscape you had below you as you floated over the Pyrenees. I’m glad that you had such an exhilarating experience with an awesome facility and instructors.
Yes, the team was really good.
I’ve heard of the Empurabravia skydiving experience and I think it’s an underrated one. I’m glad you did it and had a great time. I was thinking of skydiving in Empurabravia this summer do. After reading about your good experience, I might just choose to do it there too 🙂
You must, Daniel.
First of all – Girl, you are so brave!!! Skydiving in Spain has been in my fiance’s bucket list since forever, but I am so afraid of heights that I we haven’t been able to do it. You have aptly described the experience as spinning in a jet of burning air that whips away your sense of everything. But it all seems so worhw it!!!
Thanks so much. You guys must try it soon, too!
What an awesome experience! I have gone skydiving twice but only in the USA. I would love to go again overseas. This looks like a great place for it!
Yes, the views are amazing.
I feel like I’m gonna be skydiving too while reading your post. Ha! I can relate on forgetting the instructions. You’d really forget everything when your heart is racing with excitement and fear. But it seems you did great though by looking at your pictures.
I like to try skydiving too but I think I’d be terrified to enjoy the jump.
Go for it!
I felt like I was skydiving with you as I was reading your post! Never heard of Empuriabrava – but now I know it’s a destination for skydiving 😀 I would love to trying skydiving one of these days – but I don’t know if I’d able to actually jump off a plane!
Thanks for sharing your adventure!
That’s one of the most beautiful spots to do skydiving in the world.
Wow you are brave as you have done your tandem jump. I have fear of heights so never thought of doing such an adventurous act but one day I will surely overcome my fear. The views from top are splendid. I find Skydive Empuriabrava a nice option as it one of the 5 best sky dive facilities in Europe. I loved your facial expressions after your jump.
Hahahhaha thanks Yukti.
Wow! You are so brave! I don’t think I will do it, but reading your post made me feel do the skydive, too! You wrote everything about your experience including the emotional feeling. Thank you for taking me tandem with you!
You must try it, Umiko.
I think this is a kind of experience that I will really decline. It is lovely to read your experience and I admire your courage. Skydiving is something that I love to watch afar and not doing it personally.
Hahhahaha I guess you should try it though.
Oh my gosh!! You are so brave, and those photos are fantastic. I love that you basically forced him to go along. Lol. What fabulous memories you made!
Hahaha, it was kinda fun!
I used to fantasize about what it would be like to fly like a bird or a butterfly when I was a youngster. But now that I know, as an adult, that there is a means to experience flying, such as skydiving, I am terrified. I wish I had the guts to accomplish something like this. Congratulations to you, the instructor, and the photographer for capturing such beautiful images!
Yes, it was a lifetime experience indeed.