Skydiving Over Lake Wales Florida

The Lake Wales Skydiving Thrill

Imagine stepping to the open door of a small plane and looking down at Lake Wales. This Florida city in Polk County is not just a skydiving hotspot; it’s the place where professional skydivers come to revel in that first rush of adrenaline. It’s also where novice skydivers take their first leap. Katie Vasenina’s plunge into the deep, over rolling hills, lakes and a culture of skydiving, is a radical experience. Nervous? The way to ready the body includes a steady focus on the physical sensations of excitement. The city of Lake Wales is proud of the sun and sky. It’s become known for its clear skies and very stable weather conditions, a place for adventure seeking flyers—especially in the air. It’s always brisk at 11,000 feet. The landscape below can be a surprise; no one knows where you will land.

The Skydiving Hotspot of Polk County

Polk County attracts skydivers like the copperhead snakes that live there. Veteran skydivers flock to Lake Wales to plunge and perform in an environment with a reputation for having ideal conditions for skydiving year-round. The lake, and the flatlands of Lake Wales, are a draw to experienced jumpers and beginners alike. Heavily regulated and organized by the United States Parachute Association, the county attracts couples and those who seek the thrill. The county sees nothing but sunshine—dry and clear skies. These conditions make it possible for skydivers to land safely. The city's skydiving community doesn't just target inveterate thrill-seekers. Lake Wales attracts a wide range of participants. Low-opening skydivers get a realistic taste of what real skydiving is like, with instructors on board. Tactical skydiving is a new addition to the mix. Some look to the activity as a career. You’ll find parachute jumping and survival program courses that are taught by military veterans. But Lake Wales welcoming of a variety of backgrounds is only part of its appeal.

The Skydiving Journey

The Flight

The jump starts in Lake Wales. The flight takes off from the city’s shooting range. Since the Lake Wales Army and Air Force bases are nearby, the airspace is well kept and well regulated. The sense of community in the city of flight and jumpers is tangible. You’re never more alone than tucked in a plane. A plane at 11,000 feet; the takeoff is part of the organized thrill. The first jumpers take to the skies with certified instructors. The instructors review the basics like emergency procedures and parachute maintenance — even what to expect after the jump. The line of jumpers queue up in the small plane, with their goggles and harnesses.

Lake Wales Instructors

For new jumpers, instructors devise a skydiving tandem jump course. The instructors have chosen skydiving as their career. They’ve undergone training to handle both the rookie and the expert jumpers. They are the most adherent to skydiving safety standards. Each instructor comes with their own story. While the jumpers can choose the plane in which to take their dive, the instructors are an insurmountable choice. The instructor is your lifeline. You are not solo until you are more experienced. The instructors are certified. They train new jumpers. They handle the tandem diving. They hold your hands through the process.

The Unseen Landscape of Lake Wales

The skydiver often overlooks the landscape below. For many, the focus lies in the thrill of the dive, the secure feeling of the harness, and the pull of the earth. The natural beauty below is an often-perceived distraction. It is easy to overlook Florida’s natural wonders. Lake Wales is surrounded by lakes, rivers, and wetlands. The topography is elevated. The most breathtaking area of skydiving is the weather system of the region. The area around Lake Wales is ideal. The parachute jumpers have developed a sense for the region, and more specifically, the weather of the area. The skydivers are drawn to the area for its weather. There are no major storms, and there is little turbulence in the area’s air space. The airspace is heavily used and regulated.

The Camera Angle and First Person View

All the experience and the geology are very hard to see from the ground. The jumpers try to see the features from a first-person perspective. The jumpers and instructors are trained in aerial videography skills. The videographers capture all the action. Each step of the process is recorded from different angles. The jumps are even photographed. You are hanging onto straps of a target, capturing the ethereal sight from the birds-eye view. The video and photography capture all the action is a benefit to the jumpers. The jumpers and instructors are trained in aerial videography skills. There is a deep-seated interest in capturing this experience. It is captured from different angles. The landscapes of the area are directly from the jumpers and instructors experience. Each step of the experience is recorded in first person and can be reviewed with your instructor. This is part of the experience. The jumpers are even photographed on an open ramp before the takeoff.

The Local Experience

The area’s jumpers have their own unique experiences. “What you know about rolling down in the deep when your brain goes numb?” says Daniel Walley, an expert skydiver who was seen jumping at the skydiving hotspot Lake Wales. He was referring to the mind-altering experience of the freefall. The experience can be a challenge for new jumpers. For the experienced, it can mean the next experience or jump. The jumpers see the experience from a unique perspective. The atmosphere is capable of providing skydivers with a completely unexpected experience. There are endless custom packages from which you can choose. Regardless of your level of expertise, find a first-person view of the open skies.

How to start your journey

Skydiving requires training. Local instructors will train you how to leap and land. There are plenty of places to go for your first or subsequent jumps. The skydivers dive from a plane at 11,000 feet, in Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida. They leap in an organized and thrilling experience under the instruction of a trained and certified instructor. Prepare yourself for the first-person view from the plane.

• Training: You can choose from organized courses. They have been designed for the new skydivers. The training covers the basics, including procedures and maintenance, and what happens after the jump.
• Certified Instructors: Each instructor is certified and has experience with training new and veteran skydivers. There are many instructors in the region, which means you can pick the the right fit.
• First Person Views: You can capture the first-person view of the jump. Your instructor can show you all of your jumps from different angles. You can also take control and record the experience yourself.