7 Tips To Get The Most Out Of A Boogie

Boogies attract skydivers of all skill levels–that’s a big part of the fun! If you’re a first-time boogie-goer, never fear: You won’t be alone. Since we host more than our share of world-class skydiving events, we’re kinda experts on how to work a boogie to your best advantage as a newer skydiver. Here’s a list of our favorite tips:

1. Stay Close To (Or Right On) The DZ

The best rule of thumb is to stay close enough to the dropzone that you can hear the planes. You’ll reap several benefits that way. First, you’ll be able to kickstart your day (more on that later). You’ll be fully immersed in the skydiving community around you. Finally–and very importantly, as many skydivers will tell you–you won’t have to worry about driving to and fro when the party is, as they say, bumpin’.

At Skydive Perris, we have plenty of space for camping and, if you book ahead-of-time, bunks in the bunkhouse. Take advantage.

2. Show Up To The Event Early

Especially–but not exclusively–if you’re a newer jumper, you’re going to want to take a little while to get comfortable with the new environment. Get to know the dropzone’s normal rules and its boogie-specific rules (i.e. where to land, horizontal movement patterns, load order, landing patterns, etc.) Get comfortable before it gets busy.

3. Get On Morning Loads

Most jumpers at the boogie are going to be on full ‘vacation’ mode. Obviously, everyone’s there to enjoy themselves! This has the knock-on effect, oftentimes, of–ahem–quiet mornings. The single-digit hours of the morning generally come complete with load organizers who aren’t as busy, so they’re more available to jump with (and spend more time prepping and debriefing) you.

It bears noting that the weather is generally gentler and cooler in the mornings, too.

4. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Your Favorite LO To Jump With You

It’s easy to be star-struck (or some hyper-niche version thereof)–but hear ye, hear ye: Load Organizers are there at the boogie to jump with you. Yes. YOU. Generally, if someone’s there as an LO, they’re going to be down-to-earth, cool people! (In fact, approaching them makes their jobs easier, so you’re actually doing your athlete-crush a favor by making the first move).

5. Pace Yourself

Trust us: At a boogie, it is way easy to go hard. If you roll back the throttle with all of your might, you’re likely to run through your jump budget or burn out before the end of the boogie. If you don’t want to miss out on jumps you really want to do (y’know–those jumps towards the end when everybody’s well warmed up, synced into well-oiled group machines, comfortable with the DZ procedures and deep into “leveling-up mode”), take that as a warning.

6. Know When To Say “No.”

It’s easy to join the bandwagon of excitement and get an itchy case of FOMO. Be wise. Don’t get on loads that you don’t feel comfortable on. Too big of a group? Too windy for your comfort level? Not feeling it? Scratch. You’ll be glad you did.

7. Know When To Say “Yes!”

Pretty darn new A License? Not sure if you’re ready for your first big boogie? With the right mentality and the guidance of a trusted mentor, we’re pretty darn sure you are. Don’t pass up the opportunity to grow!

Ready to join the fun? View our calendar of upcoming events at Skydive Perris.