Are There Age Limits for Skydiving?

Published: November 30, 2022

Skydivers are known for advocating their inclusivity, and while it is very true that most people can skydive - not exactly everyone can skydive. While we would love for everyone to experience the dream of human flight, there are some restrictions and requirements set outside of our organization that we simply must follow. Please know that these regulations are for safety reasons only and not based on any prejudices. You might already know about the weight restrictions for skydiving but what about skydiving age requirements?

Let's get into the skydiving age limit - minimum, maximum, and an exception!

SKYDIVING AGE LIMIT

Skydiving age limits are determined by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and the location you are jumping from. Most dropzones in the United States require that you are 18 years of age or older in order to go skydiving. In other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and the United Kingdom the rules on skydiving age requirements are a little different. Sixteen is the minimum age in the UK and Australia, and in Mexico and New Zealand children are permitted to go skydiving!

USPA Says...

Skydiving age limits vary depending on which dropzone you are jumping from. If you are jumping from a United States Parachute Association (USPA) member dropzone then the skydiving age requirement is 18 years old. For skydives made outside of the US, the minimum age requirements are set by the country's national airsport control. Skydivers who are under the age of 16 will not be issued a USPA license.

Exceptions to the Rule

There is only one exception to this rule; a waiver for tandem jumps may be issued to terminally ill persons who are under the age of 18 with manufacturer approval. A USPA Waiver Request form must be submitted to the director of safety and training and to the chairman of safety and training committee for approval.

MINIMUM AGE FOR SKYDIVING

Skydive OC is a proud USPA member, which means that our minimum skydiving age requirement is 18 years old. Safety waivers must be signed by the adult person who is participating in the tandem skydive and cannot be signed by anyone else. Parental or guardian permission holds absolutely no validity when signing LEGAL documents directly related to release of liability regarding recreational sports. (Don't forget to bring your valid, government-issued photo ID!)

MAXIMUM AGE FOR SKYDIVING

While there is a minimum age requirement to jump at a USPA dropzone, there is no maximum age limit. As long as the participant is in good health and physical condition, they are permitted to jump! We usually say, if you think you could jump off a picnic table and land safely on the ground, then you should be good to go. If you have any concerns at all, please consult your physician before booking your skydiving reservation

Currently, Rut Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson of Sweden holds the World Record for the oldest skydiver at 103 years and 259 days old! Alfred Blaschke holds the world record for the oldest male tandem skydiver. He was 103 years and 180 days old when he made his most recent tandem!

PARACHUTISTS OVER PHORTY SOCIETY (POPS)

There are plenty of sport skydivers over the age of 40 who participate in the sport very regularly and have accomplished some incredible feats together. They have even formed a group called the Parachutists Over Phorty Society or 'POPS'. This inspiring group of people hold multiple world records, with the largest formation standing at 130 people on October 9th, 2016!

There is even a subgroup inside this society called Skydivers Over Sixty or SOS. These persistent parachutists have even attempted the largest freefall formation with 107 senior citizens whose ages ranged from 60 to 78 years old in just April of this year! Just to one-up that even further, the oldest group in this society is the Jumpers Over Ninety Society (JONS)!!

There you have it! You're never too old to experience the adventure of a lifetime.

Know someone who is turning 18 years old soon? Purchase a gift certificate for a tandem skydive and celebrate in the best way with a skydive over the beach at Skydive OC! Blue skies!