This May, USPA’s Learn to Skydive Month returns! For the past two years, USPA has held Learn to Skydive Month, where drop zones offered one free first-jump ground school sometime during the month. The goal of the program is to introduce more people to skydiving without obligating them to jump (in the hope that they will not only make a first jump but continue to pursue the sport).

Again this year, USPA will provide participating DZs with guidelines on how to promote and conduct the course. Essentially, USPA-rated instructors will teach the entire ground portion of the first-jump course to participants at no cost. Those who decide to jump (hopefully many of them) will then pay for their jumps and receive the additional training necessary to get in the air.

With no initial financial commitment, participants will likely range from those who have been planning to jump to those who have just a general interest in the sport. After learning more about making a first jump, as well as the sport’s safety practices, many of the participants will likely want to skydive. Those who don’t jump will still leave with better knowledge about skydiving and a favorable opinion of your drop zone. It’s an opportunity for your DZ to make a positive impression by appearing professional, safe and clean.

Once DZs sign up with USPA, we’ll help promote the DZ’s class and add you to our list of participating drop zones. And we’ll provide an outline that will help you promote and plan your DZ’s event, as well as offer guidelines on how to conduct the class.

DZs that want to participate or have questions can email sportpromo@uspa.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to bring more people into our exciting sport!