santa and friends fly in the paraclete wind tunnel

Why Indoor Skydiving Is The Best Christmas Experience Gift

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

The holiday season is upon us! If you’re tired of the same old gift routine, then it’s time to elevate your game. This year, consider wrapping up an amazing experience that will create lasting memories for your loved ones – a gift that keeps on giving!

Experience gifts have been rising in popularity, especially for those who seemingly have everything (adults and children) or those who love something a little different. One standout option that combines uniqueness, excitement, and safety is indoor skydiving! Here is why indoor skydiving is the best Christmas experience gift to give to your loved ones this holiday season.

santa indoor skydiving at paraclete xp's wind tunnel

What Is Indoor Skydiving?

If you can’t imagine working up the courage to go skydiving, or simply aren’t able to skydive but are curious about it, then indoor skydiving is something that might interest you! Indoor skydiving takes the exhilaration of freefall and brings it indoors into an ingeniously-designed, recirculating wind tunnel. The point of indoor skydiving is to give people a chance to experience skydiving in a controlled environment without actually having to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. 

Like most people, you may be wondering, “how does indoor skydiving compare to the real thing?” We’re happy to say that the vertical wind tunnel does a fantastic job of simulating what the freefall portion of skydiving would feel like. While you are indeed falling, the freefall during skydiving and indoor skydiving doesn’t actually feel like falling, but rather being held up on a cushion of air

If you have ever stuck your hand out of a car window when going 60+ mph on the interstate, just imagine your entire body on that wind speed (actually, double it)! It’s a truly odd, incredibly inspiring, and super addictive sensation that you’ll never forget. This is what dreams are made of!

And – bonus – indoor skydiving is not weather-dependent like the real deal.

Experience Gifts Are Trending!

In a world flooded and overwhelmed by material possessions, the allure of experience gifts is their ability to create life-changing and long-lasting memories. The trend of experience gifts is especially evident this holiday season when parents and gift-givers are seeking unique and meaningful gifts. The shift away from conventional toys and gadgets gives our loved ones the opportunity to experience life while building confidence, teaching important life lessons, and having a freakin’ blast the whole time!

woman smiles trying indoor skydiving first time

Indoor Skydiving – Among the Best Experience Gifts for Kids

Indoor skydiving is perfect for kids because it gives them the opportunity to experience the sensations of skydiving in a controlled setting with a certified instructor. Most skydiving facilities have an age requirement of 18 years and older in order to jump, whereas most indoor skydiving tunnels allow children as young as three years old

Here’s why indoor skydiving is great for kids:

    • Gain a new life experience
    • Discover a new passion
    • Build confidence
    • Inspires curiosity
    • STEM learning opportunity
    • Prepares for future skydive
    • Good exercise
    • Super fun!

Not to mention, kids tend to be the best flyers not just because they are usually smaller and require less wind speed to hold them up, but also because they are usually more relaxed. Your lil’ shredder will have a blast and learn something new in the process!

indoor skydiving with kids

Who Should Not Go Indoor Skydiving?

While indoor skydiving is a thrilling experience for many, there are a few exceptions. Individuals with certain medical conditions, like heart problems or neck/back issues, should consult a healthcare professional before attempting indoor skydiving. 

Anyone who has had a shoulder dislocation, is over the weight limit of 250 lbs, is wearing a cast, or who may be pregnant, are not permitted to fly. Safety is our top priority and it is important to us for everyone to be able to enjoy the experience without compromising their health and well-being.

Experiencing Paraclete XP’s Indoor Skydiving

For the best indoor skydiving experience, Paraclete XP stands out among the rest. Our state-of-the-art facilities, expert instructors with many years in the biz, and world-class reputation are all what set us apart. 

On top of that, we currently have the largest wind tunnel in the United States at a whopping 16.5 feet in diameter!! And our facility is the number one choice for hosting the annual indoor skydiving championship and as the best training facility for world-class skydivers. What better way to experience your first flight than having the chance to share the tunnel with some of the most prominent skydivers in the world!?

What should my giftee expect during their experience? 

First, your gift recipient will make a reservation using the gift voucher code located on the gift certificate. Remind them to read over all of the details within the confirmation email following the booking. 

From there, they will arrive at the facility with a warm greeting from one of our helpful team members. A waiver will need to be completed for every participant. If the flyer is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will need to fill out the waiver on their behalf. 

After they’re checked in, they’ll attend a safety briefing with their tunnel instructor. They’ll learn important hand signals, body positions, and have the opportunity to ask any questions directly to their instructor. 

Following the class, they’ll get geared up with provided flight suits, helmets, goggles, and earplugs. Folks in their group will enter the flight chamber together but go into the wind tunnel one at a time with their instructor. Depending on which package you purchased, the flights will be split up evenly (most people will do a minimum of two flights).

santa standing outside of paraclete indoor skydiving tunnel

How to Wrap an Experience Gift

Alright, so you’ve decided to purchase an indoor skydiving gift, now how do you wrap it? If you went ahead and made a reservation, you could print the confirmation email or keep it a surprise and send them on a scavenger hunt! If you opt to purchase a gift certificate you have a few options here. At Paraclete XP, we offer the option to receive an emailed gift certificate to be printed or if you’d like, we can mail you a physical gift card. Whether you get creative or keep it simple, you can count on being a gift-giving legend! 

Indoor skydiving is the bee’s knees of unique experience gifts, and we can’t wait to share the joy of flight with you and your loved ones! Purchase an indoor skydiving gift certificate today and cross that name off your Christmas gift buying list. 

Young boy smiles while flying in the tunnel at the Paraclete XP youth league.

Andrew was my 8 & 10yr olds coach. They loved him & gave them an awesome first time experience. They will definitely be saving their money to go back. Loved the place & staff!

Patty Higareda-Manivong