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EnglishWhat First-Time Skydivers Should Know Before Booking at Skydive Perris
Updated
If you're booking your first skydive at Skydive Perris, the short answer is: pick your jump type first (tandem, high-altitude tandem, or the DC-9 jet), confirm you meet the age and health conditions for that option, then book an early slot to avoid the heat and get the best price. The DC-9 is the strictest — it requires a minimum age of 18 and is described as a rare, limited-availability jump. Everything below explains what each option involves and how the first-jump process works so you can decide before you pay.
Choose your jump before you check requirements
Skydive Perris lists three tandem-style experiences for first-timers, and the requirements differ by option. The DC-9 is the only one where the site explicitly states a minimum age.
| Option | Altitude | Freefall | Stated price | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tandem Skydive | 14,000 ft MSL | ~60 seconds at 120 mph | From $199 | Available all week |
| High-Altitude Tandem | 18,000 ft MSL | ~90 seconds | $399 | Supplemental oxygen on ascent |
| DC-9 Tandem Skydive | Jet exit via tail door | Decelerates to terminal velocity after exit | $999 | Minimum age 18; rare availability |
The standard tandem also includes a 5–10 minute parachute ride over Perris Valley. The high-altitude jump is described as a rare opportunity for tandem students specifically. The DC-9 is the only DC-9 airliner jet in the world rated for skydiving, which is why it's priced and scheduled differently from the rest.
Age, weight, and health: what the site does and doesn't state
The site confirms a minimum age of 18 for the DC-9 jump. It does not publish a general minimum age, weight limit, or medical checklist for tandem jumps in the material available here, so don't assume the DC-9 rule applies to every option — and don't assume there are no limits either. Before booking any jump, confirm the current age, weight, and health requirements directly with Skydive Perris, since these are the conditions that determine whether you can jump at all.
One family-friendly data point: the onsite indoor wind tunnel welcomes ages 3 and up, so non-jumping family members can participate even if the outdoor requirements exclude them.
What the first-jump process looks like
The site outlines the flow through its booking and experience pages rather than a single step-by-step guide. Based on what's published, expect this sequence:
- Check availability and book. Each experience has a "Check Availability" or "Book Now" action. Booking ahead matters most for the DC-9, which is marked as rare.
- Choose your time slot. The site notes the Early Bird beats the heat and gets the best price — morning slots are both cooler and cheaper for the standard tandem.
- Arrive and check in at the dropzone, then complete any required training and paperwork for your jump type.
- Get geared up with your instructor before boarding.
- Jump. For the standard tandem, that's a 14,000 ft exit, about 60 seconds of freefall, and a 5–10 minute canopy ride.
The high-altitude jump adds an oxygen step on the way up before a longer freefall. The DC-9 involves a tail-door exit rather than a side door, which changes how you leave the aircraft.
Why the early slot is worth it
Two concrete reasons from the site: the Early Bird beats the heat, and it gets the best price. Perris Valley in summer gets hot, and you'll be in gear on the ground before and after the jump. A morning slot means less time waiting in heat and a lower fare on the standard tandem. If you're set on the DC-9, availability — not time of day — is the constraint, so book as far ahead as you can.
Practical notes that affect your day
- There's an onsite restaurant and bar, the Bombshelter, open all day every day with indoor and poolside dining, plus live music and events. Non-jumping friends have somewhere to wait.
- There's an onsite wind tunnel, and Skydive Perris was among the first dropzones to build one into operations. If you're nervous, an indoor session is a low-commitment way to feel what freefall is like first.
- Aircraft are maintained by full-time mechanics, and the fleet includes rear-exit tailgate jump ships — relevant if you're weighing the DC-9 tail exit against a standard side exit.
- The dropzone is the closest to Hollywood and the West Coast's largest, so it's used to first-timers and VIPs alike.
Bottom line
Book the standard tandem if you want the simplest, cheapest first jump and can go in the morning. Choose the high-altitude tandem if you want a longer freefall and don't mind the higher price. Choose the DC-9 only if you're 18 or older, want the jet experience, and can plan around rare availability. In all cases, verify current age, weight, and health requirements with Skydive Perris before you book, since the site only publishes the DC-9's minimum age.