Skydiving Myths Busted: What First-Timers Think vs. Reality
Skydiving is one of those bucket list adventures that stir up equal parts excitement and fear. For many first-time jumpers, their decision to finally take the plunge is often delayed by a handful of misconceptions that, frankly, have no place at 15,000 feet.
So let’s clear the air (quite literally).
With over 20,000 jumps under his belt and decades of experience in the industry, Glenn Stutt, Owner and Chief Instructor at Skydive Geronimo, has heard it all. Today, he’s helping us bust some of the most common skydiving myths.
Myth 1: You Can’t Breathe During Freefall
Reality: You absolutely can. The rush of wind may take you by surprise, but breathing is no more difficult in free fall than on the ground. First-timers that report difficulty breathing do so because they forget to exhale due to sensory overload. Glenn explains, “I recommend letting out a big scream or yell on exit. This way you expel air during the most exciting part of the free fall and can then breathe as normal.”
Myth 2: Your Stomach Drops Like a Roller Coaster
Reality: Not usually. That gut-lurching sensation you get on roller coasters happens because you’re suddenly accelerated. In skydiving, you’re already travelling in a moving plane when you exit, so the transition is smoother. As Glenn puts it, “Many people do not experience a significant dropping sensation, just an incredible sense of flying.”
Myth 3: Tandem Skydiving Is Only for the Young and Reckless
Reality: Skydiving is for anyone aged 16 and up (with parental consent if under 18), and there’s no upper age limit. At Skydive Geronimo, we’ve had guests in their 70s and 80s make the jump. Glenn shares, “The look of pride on their faces when they land? Priceless.”
Myth 4: You Can’t Enjoy the View
Reality: The views over Rottnest Island are one of the biggest highlights! While the freefall is a rush, the parachute ride down is calm, giving you 5-7 minutes to soak in the sparkling turquoise waters, white beaches, and even the Perth skyline in the distance. “There’s no more beautiful place to experience a skydive in my opinion. The colours hit you straight away, turquoise water, bright reefs, and white sand. It’s unreal,” says Glenn.
Myth 5: Skydiving Is Just a One-Off Thrill
Reality: While it might start as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, many guests return for more. It’s not uncommon for people to book again before they’ve even left the island! The adrenaline rush, the sense of achievement, and the beauty of Rottnest make it genuinely addictive.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Myths Ground Your Dreams
There’s no doubt that skydiving is exhilarating, but it’s also far more accessible and enjoyable than most people think. With a trusted expert like Glenn Stutt leading the Skydive Geronimo team, you’re in the best hands for busting myths and building unforgettable memories.
Ready to challenge your assumptions and tick off the ultimate bucket list experience?
Book your tandem skydive over Rottnest Island today and discover what really happens when you take the leap.
If you want to read more, have a look at these blogs below.
How to Make Your Skydive Extra Memorable: Ideas Beyond the Jump
Celebrate Your Milestones in the Sky
Glenn is a successful Skydive Instructor who’s successfully turned his lifelong passion into an award-winning adventure tourism business. His love for the thrill of the jump began over three decades ago in Matamata, New Zealand. 20,000+ jumps later and with the highest Australian Chief Instructor / Instructor A ratings under his belt, he and his wife, Amy, dedicate their lives to running the Western Australian-based Skydive Geronimo, the only company licensed to provide tandem jumps over one of the pearls of the Indian Ocean, Rottnest Island.
Glenn works tirelessly in all aspects of the business – from student and instructor training through to equipment safety, PR, Australian Parachute Federation (APF) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) compliance and everything in between. He also delivers education sessions to local pilots about skydiving operations in Perth and the surrounding area.
