What to Expect on Your First Tandem Skydive at Skydive Snohomish

Your first tandem skydive at Skydive Snohomish means you jump attached to a licensed instructor, with no prior experience required. The center is about 20 miles from Seattle and has operated over the Snohomish River Valley since 2000. Tandem is the primary option for first-time jumpers, and the team includes USPA Coaches and PRO-rated tandem instructors.

How the Tandem Option Works

Tandem skydiving pairs you with an instructor who manages the equipment and the jump. You are attached to the instructor for the exit, freefall, and canopy ride. This is the standard path for someone with no skydiving background, and it is listed on the site as the "First Skydive" option.

The site also lists a separate "Learn To Skydive" path and a section for "Experienced Skydivers," so tandem is not the only route — but it is the one built for a first jump.

What the Team Brings

The instructor group is described as having 100+ years in skydiving, 31,250+ hours in the sky, and 75,000+ combined skydives. One named instructor, Bill Kelly, is listed as an S&TA (Safety and Training Advisor), USPA Coach, PRO-rated demo jumper, and tandem instructor, with a first jump in 1995.

His advice for first-timers, quoted on the site: "Breathe in and breathe out. Try to take it all in but know you will miss something."

The General Flow of a First Jump

The site does not publish a step-by-step schedule, so the sequence below reflects how tandem jumps are typically structured. Confirm the exact timing when you book.

1. Check-in and paperwork — you register and sign the required documents.
2. Briefing and training — an instructor walks you through body position, exit, and landing. The site's review quote specifically calls the training "great."
3. Gear-up — you are fitted into a harness and attached to your instructor.
4. Aircraft ride — you climb to altitude with your instructor.
5. Exit and freefall — you leave the aircraft attached to the instructor.
6. Canopy ride and landing — the instructor flies the parachute and handles the landing.

What Reviewers Emphasize

A Google review from Leo Cohen describes jumping with Skydive Snohomish for a one-year anniversary: "All of the facilities are top of the line, training is great and most importantly the jump instructors are AWESOME." The reviewer recommends it for anyone who has never jumped.

That aligns with the site's own framing — "Professional, Passionate, Personal" — and its claim of nearly 20,000 tandem students and experienced skydivers per year.

Location and Access

The center is 20 miles from Seattle. Listed distances:

Before You Book

• Pricing is not published in the material available here. The site has a Prices page and a Prices & Discounts link, so check those directly rather than assuming a rate.
• Class status matters. The menu includes a "Class Status" link — check it, since weather and scheduling affect whether a slot runs.
• Gift cards and booking are both offered through the site.
• Photos and video are available as a separate service ("Photos & Video / Priceless Moments") if you want the jump documented.

If you have never jumped and want the simplest entry point, tandem is the option to book. If you are unsure, the site's own FAQ and "What to Expect" pages are the next stop.