Skydive Empuriabrava - La Tierra del Cielo — Attraction in Castelló d'Empúries

TL;DR: We spent over €4000 for a birthday skydive at Skydive Empuriabrava, but at the last minute, the instructor, Josier Louis, canceled my jump, refused to reschedule, smiled condescendingly, and walked away. As a USPA coach-rated skydiver and FAA pilot, visiting from the US, I was shocked by their selective enforcement of rules and the disregard for customer experience. The day felt rushed and disorganized, completely ruining what should have been a special day.

I visited Skydive Empuriabrava for my friend’s birthday, where we spent over €4000 on tandem jumps, videos, and more. As a USPA coach-rated skydiver with 300+ jumps and an FAA pilot, I was excited to share the experience with her. To ensure everything went smoothly, I even came earlier in the week for a Dropzone briefing, jumped in 10+ knot crosswinds, and flew in the wind tunnel.

On the day of the skydive, it was overcast, and we waited nearly two hours past our scheduled time—normal for skydiving. When they finally started operations, despite mild winds under 6 knots and clouds at 6,000 and 9,000 feet, I was told I couldn’t jump due to an arbitrary 400+ jump limit. My friends were on the first load, and when I asked Josier Louis if we could swap them to a later load to accommodate us, he refused. He was dismissive, claiming he personally set the limit and would not change it, citing vague concerns about the cloud ceiling. However, cloud separation rules apply to all jumps, including tandems, and it was clear they weren’t following those rules consistently. In fact, I was shocked to see tandems go above the cloud ceiling, falling through clouds without visibility of the Dropzone—breaking both EASA and USPA 105.17 rules on cloud separation.

When I suggested a simple alternative, like a hop n pop or rescheduling for another time, he shut me down, saying there were other customers waiting. Then, mid-conversation, he smiled condescendingly, said “bye,” and walked away, making it clear he had no interest in resolving the situation. It was incredibly frustrating and disrespectful.

I’m all for safety, but what bothered me most was their complete unwillingness to work toward a solution, like swapping to a later load or offering a reschedule. The selective enforcement of rules and Josier's dismissive attitude ruined what should have been a special and memorable day.

The entire experience felt rushed, disorganized, and as if customer care was the last priority. For the significant time and money we spent, we expected better treatment and professionalism. Skydive Empuriabrava needs to seriously reconsider how they treat...

A tandem skydive in Empuriabrava is like a ride on the ultimate roller coaster in the sky – pure excitement and an adrenaline rush like no other! From the moment I strapped into the harness, I felt like an astronaut ready to venture into the unknown. My tandem partner was the epitome of professionalism and calm. With his relaxed demeanor and unwavering confidence, he managed to calm my nerves and put a smile on my face even before we boarded the plane.

The ascent was like the climb of a roller coaster – pure anticipation. When the door opened and the wind whipped through, I knew the moment of truth had arrived. "Ready?" my tandem partner asked with a wide grin, and although my response was more of a nervous nod, I felt completely safe in his hands.

The jump itself was absolutely insane. The free fall felt like gravity had taken a brief vacation. 50 seconds of pure madness, during which my tandem partner had everything under control, guiding me safely through the fall with hand signals and clear commands. The view over Empuriabrava was breathtaking, even though I was more focused on not passing out.

When the parachute opened, the sense of relief was overwhelming. Suddenly, everything was calm and peaceful as we glided gently toward the earth. My tandem partner used this time to show me the stunning landscape and ensure I enjoyed every second of the experience.

The landing was so smooth that I could hardly believe what I had just experienced. Having solid ground under my feet again felt incredible, and the broad smile on my tandem partner's face was proof that I had truly conquered the adventure.

And let's not forget the video footage! Thanks to the amazing videographer, I now have a permanent record of my face flapping in the wind like a flag in a hurricane. It's the kind of material that will either impress or terrify friends and family. Watching it, I can relive every second of my terror and triumph, all set to a soundtrack of my own high-pitched screams. Worth every frame!

Conclusion: A tandem skydive in Empuriabrava is the ultimate experience for adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers. A huge thank you to my fantastic tandem partner, whose professionalism and positive energy made this experience unforgettable, and to the videographer who captured it all in glorious, hilarious detail. Highly recommended – and I will...

Skydiving at Empuriabrava: A Thrilling Experience with a Few Trade-offs

Skydiving Empuriabrava definitely lives up to its reputation as a premier skydiving destination. I recently had the opportunity to do two jumps in one day, and while the experience was overwhelmingly positive, there were a few things to note.

The Good:

• Spectacular Views: The views are simply breathtaking. Soaring above the Costa Brava, you're treated to stunning panoramas of the coastline, the Pyrenees mountains in the distance, and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. It's an unforgettable backdrop for an adrenaline-pumping experience.

• Efficient Operation: The dropzone runs a tight ship. With two aircraft in operation – a Twin Otter and a Pilatus – the turnover between loads was impressively fast. This meant less time on the ground and more time in the air (or preparing to be in the air!).

• Professional Staff: From the instructors to the ground crew, everyone was professional, friendly, and clearly passionate about skydiving. They made sure everyone felt safe and prepared, which is crucial for first-timers and experienced jumpers alike.

• Great Atmosphere: The dropzone has a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. There's a real sense of community among the skydivers, and it's a fun place to hang out and share stories after your jump.

The Not-So-Good:

• Tandem Traffic: The popularity of Empuriabrava means it attracts a lot of tandem jumpers. While this is great for the dropzone, it did mean longer wait times for experienced jumpers like myself to get on a load. Be prepared to factor in some waiting time, especially during peak season.

• Price: Skydiving isn't a cheap activity, and Empuriabrava is no exception. However, considering the location, the quality of the equipment, and the professionalism of the staff, it's arguably worth the investment for a truly memorable experience.

Overall:

Despite the wait times due to tandem jumpers, Skydiving Empuriabrava offers an incredible experience. The stunning views, efficient operation, and professional staff make it a top choice for skydivers of all levels. If you're looking for an unforgettable adrenaline rush in a beautiful setting, this is the place to go. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait, especially if you're jumping during...