iFly Review: An indoor skydive has been on our family travel bucket list since the beginning of the year. It also featured as one of the great activities on my 40 before 40 list. So we were thrilled when Buyagift.com got in contact and offered us the chance to try out iFly Basingstoke we decided to try indoor skydiving in Basingstoke.
Table of Contents
ToggleiFly Review
Booking our iFly Skydive
There are three locations across the county that you can book at which are Manchester, Milton Keynes and Basingstoke. We opted to visit the iFly indoor skydiving Basingstoke as it was the closest to us. Booking was a little tricky as we wanted a weekend date which meant our time slots were restricted to before 11 am. However, the staff were very helpful on the phone as we had a number of us we needed to accommodate with friends joining us in the experience.
Where is iFly’s Basingstoke centre located?
ifly Basingstoke is located in Basingstoke Leisure Park. From junction 6 on the M3 follow signs towards Newbury around the ring road until you reach the Thorncroft Roundabout. Take the first exit on to Churchill Way Way and follow signs for The Leisure Park. It is approximately xx km from the centre of Basingstoke. You can use the address iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Basingstoke Leisure Park, Euskirchen Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 6PG.
Arriving at xx
You need to arrive an hour earlier than your flight to fill in the consent forms and get kitted up. We watched a safety video before donning overalls, goggles, earplugs and helmets. By this time Charlie was bouncing off the walls with excitement at the thrill of indoor skydiving. The question is did we have a great time since none of us has tried the sport of indoor skydiving before.
What age is Skydive Basingstoke suitable for
We also took Harry along to the indoor skydiving centre. Technically at the age of three, he could have had a go. But we had made the decision he was too young. I stand by this and would probably say Charlie at 7 is probably the youngest I would recommend this experience for. Even with Charlie’s adrenalin seeker nature, he was a little worried initially. However, Harry was in sobs when he realised we were going into the tunnel. The instructor was very patient with him and we were allowed to swap adults out to look after him.
Our iFly
Once it was our turn we went into a sealed chamber with rest of the flyers. This runs alongside the tunnel and means you can watch all the flights. During the video, we were taught hand signals which the instructor used to make sure we got in the neutral flying position. This means the vertical wind tunnels are is suitable for flyers of all abilities.
Initially, it is a bit of a leap of faith as part of you expects to end up on the floor as you walk into the super-cool wind tunnel. There is definitely a knack and Charlie got it almost instantly. I was very impressed with the hour he totally conquered his fear. Although he did make me go first! It is difficult to describe the feeling since you are only in the tunnel for about around a minute but it is an amazing sensation. It is very noisy as the wind rushes around you. The instructor makes sure you do not get too close to the sides of the tunnel. I did drift up quite a bit so he used his body weight to keep me lower in the tunnel. I was desperately trying to smile at the camera! Since they also record the whole thing for you.
Extra flights
You only get one flight with the voucher but once you are there it is also possible to pay a little extra for another (£14). Or to be taken up to the top of the tunnel in a whirly motion by the instructor (£7) each. Which we all did and really enjoyed. Although this is dependent on timing and the number of people in the group. It maybe worth enquiring if this is possible at the time of booking.
We did not have an adult that wasn’t Harry sitting so we could not capture our own photos. As everything is locked away including jewellery and wedding rings. There is a viewing area where you can take photos so this is something that we would do next time. At the end of our session, we had the opportunity to buy photos and videos taken through all the sessions. We paid £35 for a family photo pass which gave us all the media of up to five people.
It was such a fun experience, Charlie had a brilliant time and is very keen to do it again. Just be aware that there are several additional charges but as a bucket list item, it would make a great Christmas gift experience.
I hope you have enjoyed our iFly Review, have you been indoor skydiving? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
If you’ve liked this post please follow me on my social media channels:
Mudpie Fridays: YouTube | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | LinkedIn
PIN for later – iFly Review skydiving in Basingstoke
39 Responses
Looks so much fun!
Looks fun for people like me who are too scared to do the real thing.
We did this last year with my 5 year olds (girls), they absolutely loved it and even did the fly to the top extra, so don’t think that your really little ones can’t join in. We bagged an amazing deal using cashback website and discount code combo during Black Friday weekend. Ermazing!
Looks good fun I’d have a go and my grandson definitely would. Love the photo’s
One day I’ll try this too – great fun
I’ve been eyeing this offer for my son and fiancé. Great to see you had fun and the pictures are brilliant!
Wonderful experience for you all x
I need to do a bucket list and have this on it!! Wow!!!
This is so cool. I would love to try this out when I am more well. I bet Sylvia and John would love it too. I’m adding it to our bucket list!
There was one in LA i wanted to go to so bad! Timing didn’t work in our favor but I am doing this next time I am in the area!
I would love to give indoor skydive a try as it looks like a lot of fun.
you know i’ve never tried it but i would love to, this is sooooo much fun…Quite an experience.
I’ve always wanted to try indoor skydiving… there’s actually one not far from where I live! This looks like great fun, I’d definitely consider doing it at some point.
Oliver x
A fab review and a brilliant activity. I always assumed these were for adults only so am delighted to read that children can participate, too.
This looks like so much fun, my husband has always wanted to try this but I don’t think they have anywhere near us. I will have to look into it for him as would make a great xmas gift x
Ahh this looks like such a blast! I have never done something like this. Hope you guys had a great time.
This looks like so much fun, and so much safer than the real alternative. I’ve always wanted to try skydiving, but my fear of extreme heights has kept me from following through. I think I could handle the iFly heights just fine though, so I’m gonna check this out soon!
This looks like fun! This is the closest I will ever get to actual skydiving! My husband has gone skydiving already so he might not want to do this with us! LOL
There is one of these actually close to where I live! Never have I tried it before but I know my husband would love to!
I’ve always wanted to try this! It looks like so much fun. I am going to have to plan a day trip there to try it out.
Kids go zonkers when they try iFly. This is such an cool exercise to overcome fear and gain self-trust.
Such an experience. Indoor skydiving makes the reality feel same aswel. I like how there is support inside for everyone. Fun, Adventurous and Perfect are my three choice of words to describe this
We might be trying this soon, it’s on my 10 year old bucket list. The funny thing is that she is not really adventurous
I am someone who is too scared to do the real thing. this would be a great experience!
Bryony Shaw
Always wanted to try this. Looks like so much fun!
Wow, this is definitely a great and cool experience. My Aunt done this one time and she said it was really fun.
This looks like a fun activity to do with the family! Nice idea!
looks like a mindblowing experience
I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to try this! My boys would probably think it’s fun though.
Looks like a great and fun experience for your kiddos. My kids would love this too I’m sure!
It looks like so much fun, but I would be scared to do it. Seems too much excitement for me
Sky diving is one of the things to do on my bucket list so an indoor sky diving experience would be a good start for the same…I should start getting used to that adrenaline rush earlier.
Oh brilliant fun!! My kids would go wild for something like this and such a great family activtiy
OMG you lucky lady! What an awesome day out and a brilliant idea for a gift for anyone who is impossible to buy for. Glad you all had fun x
#BloggerClubUK
Perfect family fun, we’ve wanted to to it since moving to Milton Keynes it Looks like a right laugh x x
This looks so much fun for adults and kids X #bloggerclubuk
I’d love to give this a go! I agree with you that it’s probably a bit too much for a 3 year old though! #BloggerClubUK
Everyone seems to be having a great time
Wow that looks like a lot of fun maybe I might try it one day x
This is such a great idea for a gift for someone. An experience in my eyes is so much better than a material present as memories are what life is all about.