Paraclete XP SkyVenture

Just make sure you know to show up 45 minutes before your flight time for the lessons. We showed up a bit late but they still squeezed us in.
Was a fantastic experience. Definitely would recommended for anyone who it feeling like being a little crazy!
Thanks guys.

As part of our daughter’s 16^th birthday adventure, we decided to try indoor skydiving. While we had a great time, it did not last long… especially with it being our first time. Just as you’re getting the hang of it, it’s time to stop. But, it was a lot of fun!

I just love any establishment where you can tell that the employees are just STOKED to work there. The positive energy was infectious.
It was my husband and I’s first skydiving experience. We planned on going in a month to a facility like this in Vegas for his bday. But I am just so happy that we came here.
Everyone here was so kind, professional and funny.
The instructors flew around like super HERO’s and made it look like fun.
And it was. It’s been 24 hrs since our skydiving adventure and I’m still on an adrenalin high. Can’t wait to come back for the championships in Feb!
Thank you!!!

So much fun! I took my husband here yesterday for his birthday and we had a blast! He’s always wanted to go skydiving, but that’s something I’m not willing to do unless my life depends on it. I figured I could handle indoor skydiving just fine, and I did.
Indoor skydiving is really just a VERY large vertical wind tunnel that you get to go in. Your first time flight comes with basic instruction in hand signals (rather important since you can’t hear anything when you are in the tunnel) and gear to wear (flight suit, goggles, helmet). The package I booked also came with flight certificates, t-​shirts, and a thumb drive with video of our flight.
This particular wind tunnel is one of the three largest in the world. It is 16′ in diameter and (I’m guessing) 6 stories tall. If you want more details or a better idea of what this is all about, just go to their website. They have a live stream from the wind tunnel every day.

You need to try this!!!
It was so awesome. Loved everything about it. The staff were extremely nice and our instructor was awesome! My boyfriend and I can’t stop talking about what a great experience we had here this weekend.
We are from virginia and made the trip down just for this and will definitely be back soon again.

One of the coolest experiences with a great staff of professionals who you can tell really enjoy their jobs. The facility is top notch offering the perfect environment for viewing all the action in the tunnel. They are also really great with little ones.

On our way to the US Open we passed inside skydiving. The next day was my husbands 71^st birthday and he decided that’s what he wanted to do for his birthday. It was for us to do together…, I was apprehensive but far be it for me to spoil his birthday. I read all your reviews and checked their safety first. What a pleasant surprise. I loved it. We had Selwyn as an instructor and he was very informative. We live in NJ and I am disappointed that we are so far away. Did hear they are expanding and coming to NJ and I will definitely go again and bring my grandchildren. It is for all ages and better then jumping out of an airplane… Just plain fun!!!

My 13-​year-​old son and I went to Paraclete XP for a little adventure, and we got it. Flying in the wind tunnel is exhilarating. Our instructor, Selwyn, was awesome, giving us guidance when we needed it and letting us just fly when we got it. And he kept it really fun, which was key. This was a phenomenal experience and we will definitely be back.

OK there are two things to review here.
Since Paraclete is the only indoor skydiving joint within 600 miles, you kind of need to understand indoor skydiving in general.
And then there is the execution: how well paraclete carries it out.
Indoor skydiving: The pros: kind of cool. In terms of being a unique and memorable experience, I’m glad I tried it. The cons: Nothing like actually jumping out of an airplane, there is just zero comparison there. Not super exhilarating. You have a ‘handler’ who is kind of poking and prodding you a little, keeping you from hitting the sides of the glass tube, etc.
Indoor skydiving at Paraclete: pretty damn cool. I really enjoyed the way they put the experience together. They don’t nickel and dime you, you just pay a flat rate and get the equipment and storage for free. Our instructor was a guy who is on their nationally competitive indoor skydiving team (think a souped-​up version of synchronized swimming), really friendly, cracking jokes and keeping everything loose. The timing of the whole experience could have been a lot better, as we started 20 minutes late and ended up needing to be there for 90 minutes to get 10 minutes of tube time. But overall a fun customer service experience.
Well worth trying once. I wouldn’t recommend the membership package unless you’re really into it.

Cool place to visit even just to watch the action. How could you miss the worlds largest wind tunnel?. Rates seem reasonable. Fun to watch for about half an hour.

I’ve wanted to check this place out forever and finally had a chance recently. The first thing you need know is that it’s a solid 1.5 hr drive from Raleigh. The 2^nd thing you need to know is that it’s a bit expensive. Once you are there, all concerns about the drive or cost are out the window! It totally rocks!
One thing to be aware of, when you see the incredibly kewl video on the web site of folks doing flips and turns in the tunnel; THAT WON’T BE YOU! It’s a lot harder than it looks even to just stay in the correct position so you can fly. But, on your 2^nd flight, the instruction will take you up to the top of the tunnel and back down 2 – 3 times; spinning you around. Your ears pop like crazy, it’s an incredible force.
After you’ve done the first 2 flights, you can get a better deal. $ 25 for 2 more flights (1.5 min/​ea) or $ 16−18/flight. You also need reservations, so call before you drive down to Raeford.
Watching others in the tunnel is really fun. They have regular fliers who come every weekend that are a riot to watch. They look completely weightless in the tunnel and know lots of tricks.
We saw a father/​daughter who split a 30 min block for about $ 300 maybe less. The girl was about 6 and she did great w/​the instructors help. Of course, we were pretty exhausted after 2 rides.
Go, do it! It’s amazing!!!

Did you know the largest vertical wind tunnel is 1.5 hours from the Triangle?
After driving past Fayetteville to the edge of the town of Raeford, I signed my life away for my first skydiving experience. As a group of five, we qualified for the family package ($ 300), which includes two one minute flights/​each and instruction. An actual skydive is less than a minute, so two minutes is a good chunk of time.
We then took the elevator up, where we met our instructor, who was a tall muscular tattooed guy (exactly as I envisioned). He led us to a classroom where we watched a funny-​in-​the-​bad-​way DVD that introduced us to the correct body position and hand signals that instructors use. Then, we geared up. You wear a bodysuit (over your normal clothes), goggles, ear plugs, and a helmet. You look pretty silly.
After the group before you is done, your group walks into the tunnel entrance and has a seat on the bench. We were paired with a group that was training for their first skydive. One at a time, we took turns flying in the tunnel (no more than 10′) and our instructor held on and corrected our position. It’s surprisingly hard to control yourself and the slightest movement throws everything off. I found that it was most important to keep your chin up, legs spread apart and only slightly bent, and mouth closed (or else your mouth will be super-​dry after).
On my second flight, the instructor held on to me and took me all the way to the top of the tunnel (56 feet) and back down several times. The strange thing was that it didn’t really feel like I was that far up (I didn’t get that wow-I’m-really-high-up sensation). After two minutes, I was happy to be done, but I could have done another flight or two.
After your first time, flights are $ 16/​minute. I think that most people coming here just go once and never come back. I’d definitely come back, but I’m not about to make this a hobby.
We got a DVD of our flight, which is ok quality with a rock loop in the background. The website claims you get a flight certificate, but I didn’t get mine… that’s a shame because I was going to put it right next to my diplomas.

Ok, I’ve got to be honest. This is a hard review because I have absolutely no basis for comparison. All I can say is that I had a great time. The facility was set up so that you could watch others «fly» inside the giant tube that simulates a skydiving experience. Spectating is free and encouraged. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and by the time you get in the tube, you trust your guide. My family and I had a great time – definitely the most unique Christmas gift Santa has given to date. After watching a video and getting a briefing from your instructor/​guide, you suit up and get ready to go into the tube. The flying experience is powered by a huge fan that literally blows you up into the air. The guide moves your arms and legs to show you how to get your balance. If you go in a group, you get 2 tries of 1.5 minutes each, and the quicker you get your balance, the more times the guide will latch on to you and fly up to the top of the tube with you and then come soaring down (fun!!!). If you decide to come back, you pay $ 16 per minute. Sounds expensive, but really 1 minute feels like a good long time in that wind tunnel. I just wish this place wasn’t so far away!