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Step 1
Find a school. Not all skydiving schools offer skysurfing lessons. To find one that does, do some online research at the U.S. Parachute Association, Air Sports Net and Drop Zone, to start with. Also ask around at the small airports that host air sports training and events. In addition, check with skydiving clubs and organizations to find a reputable school.
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Step 2
Make sure skysurfing instructors are qualified. Look for a coach who has a USPA instructional rating under that organization's Basic Safety Rules, as well as extensive experience in freeflying forms, including using a skyboard, flying head-down and sit-flying. The USPA instructor ratings ensure that coaches have particular skydiving skills and that they have shown knowledge of the techniques required to teach others.
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Step 3
Consider lessons in a wind tunnel. Vertical wind tunnels now available for skydiving practice, or just for fun, can be a great way to learn skysurfing skills on land. Sky Venture has tunnels available to the general public in many U.S. locations. The company also runs tunnels in Asia, Canada, Europe and South America.
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Step 4
Check online chats, discussion forums and message boards frequented by skydivers. Ask these folks for advice on finding skysurfing lessons, where the best instructors are, how much lessons cost, how long they take and what the drill is for making a first jump. You can also get tips on what to avoid, such as unqualified instructors. A great source for finding online groups of skydivers is at MeetUp. In addition, look for discussion forums for skydivers hosted on parachuting information and equipment sites, such as Drop Zone and Freefall University.
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Step 5
Ask a buddy to learn with you. Skydiving is an individual sport, but it's often done in groups. See if you can coax a flier friend into taking the skysurfing plunge together. It's always easier and more fun to learn something new when you have a pal with you--someone to compare notes with, to watch your technique and make suggestions, and, of course, to discuss it all with you later.
