Learn to skydive

If you want to try something that will challenge your nerve AND your ability to learn new skills, learning to skydive is a great option. This isn’t wimpy tandem or fixed-line jumping... it’s the real thing from jump one!

Accelerated Freefall (AFF) is a method of skydiving instruction which was developed in America to enable people to take full advantage of one to one training and learning during freefall. I did my course in Spain, where the weather’s perfect for learning (nice and sunny with light winds), but I’m sure there’s plenty of dropzones in the UK that run AFF courses too.

After a day of ground-based training, your first jump will be a freefall descent from 13,000 feet with two AFF instructors jumping with you, who maintain a grip on your body and parachute harness until you pull your shoot. These two AFF instructors assist with stability and provide in-air teaching information.

There are 8 levels to AFF and, prior to each jump, you’ll receive training covering the freefall learning objectives of each jump. Successful students graduate to having only one AFF instructor accompanying them by Level 3 or 4. The instructor in will provide instruction during freefall (through hand signals), film you and subsequently critique the performance. Students normally graduate from the AFF program on or around their eighth jump.

The tuition is on a personal basis and yet is informal and relaxed, usually on a one to one basis. In this environment you can gain a great amount of knowledge in a short period of time. The training comprises theory, procedure drills and physical activities covering all aspects of the skydives that you will be making.

This is seriously one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of my life. It’s not for everyone (it's genuinely quite scary, dangerous and pretty expensive), but if you want to test yourself and experience some true fear and excitement, I’d highly recommend it!