Skydiving advice

[pieface82]

Hi chaps, I'm new here , and after some advice about skydiving. Where would you advise is the best place in the south to go? I have heard Weston is supposed to be a good choice.

Thanks in advance

Edited by pieface82 on Sunday 17th July 17:09

[StormLoaded]

not aware you can skydive in weston(-super-mare ?)
my mrs did a charity jump from dunkeswell airfield near Honiton last year, 15000ft (tandem).
Seemed to be very well run by the company (Skydive UK), and alot of people using them (noncharity jumpers)

ETA : Oh, and welcome btw!

[Zeek]

I expect he means Weston on the Green.

It's nice there - you'll have to describe where you live though, and if you're looking to do a tandem, learn to jump, or are already a jumper. There are loads of options available to you in the south. If you want to learn, don't bother finding somewhere in the UK, just go to Empuria Brava.

[Animal]

I jumped from Weston. Brilliant place.

Advice
- Take a book. If it's cloudy you can't jump (something to do with not being allowed to have an open canopy through cloud cover I think), so if it's a bit of an iffy day you could be waiting around all day before being sent home.
- Try not to scream!
- Do it!!!

[pieface82]

Sorry I should have been more clear. Basically it is a present for someone else, and I'm contemplating whether to pay for the AFF level 1 (which from research seems to be a two day course?), or pay for a tandem - my concern with this is whether it is still thrilling enough?

I'm looking for places around London, and I've heard good things about Hinton in Northants and Weston on the Green in Bicester (but I believe this to be closed at the moment). I also heard Hinton is a bit smaller and friendlier.

I'm just wondering if people have experience with either place and whether you guys would recommend either the tandem or the level 1?

Just to add, it is for someone who has never skydived before!

Thanks for your help

[BigJonMcQuimm]

pieface82 said:

Sorry I should have been more clear. Basically it is a present for someone else, and I'm contemplating whether to pay for the AFF level 1 (which from research seems to be a two day course?), or pay for a tandem - my concern with this is whether it is still thrilling enough?

I'm looking for places around London, and I've heard good things about Hinton in Northants and Weston on the Green in Bicester (but I believe this to be closed at the moment). I also heard Hinton is a bit smaller and friendlier.

I'm just wondering if people have experience with either place and whether you guys would recommend either the tandem or the level 1?

Just to add, it is for someone who has never skydived before!

Thanks for your help

Hiya

I jump every weekend where possible - so should be able to help.

AFF1 is a totally different experience to tandem..... The weather this year has been really bad - so it could be that a 2 day course would take 4-6 weeks to complete!!!! Where as a tandem instructor will take the person up in much worse conditions. Students are limited to <15 mph winds IIRC - ultimately you have to land on your own!!!

Saying that, I would opt Aff1 - as frankly it is the only way to be free :-) I have done 3 tandems - all great fun. In all honesty how could it not be?

Weston is currently shut - it is my usual DZ - it may re-open - but certainly not till September.

Hinton, IMO is a tandem factory ... a friendly center - but not a place I would choose for AFF.

I am West London based - and we are going to Netheravon, Wiltshire. However, I believe they to are shut for 3 weeks - due to Army exercises.

This is a good forum :- http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk/cms/

Not suitable for your question, but for anyone wanting to do AFF - I would still always recommend Empuriabrava, Spain.

Edited by BigJonMcQuimm on Tuesday 19th July 19:55

Edited by BigJonMcQuimm on Tuesday 19th July 19:57

[pieface82]

BigJonMcQuimm said:

Hiya

I jump every weekend where possible - so should be able to help.

AFF1 is a totally different experience to tandem..... The weather this year has been really bad - so it could be that a 2 day course would take 4-6 weeks to complete!!!! Where as a tandem instructor will take the person up in much worse conditions. Students are limited to <15 mph winds IIRC - ultimately you have to land on your own!!!

Saying that, I would opt Aff1 - as frankly it is the only way to be free :-) I have done 3 tandems - all great fun. In all honesty how could it not be?

Weston is currently shut - it is my usual DZ - it may re-open - but certainly not till September.

Hinton, IMO is a tandem factory ... a friendly center - but not a place I would choose for AFF.

I am West London based - and we are going to Netheravon, Wiltshire. However, I believe they to are shut for 3 weeks - due to Army exercises.

This is a good forum :- http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk/cms/

Not suitable for your question, but for anyone wanting to do AFF - I would still always recommend Empuriabrava, Spain.

Edited by BigJonMcQuimm on Tuesday 19th July 19:55

Edited by BigJonMcQuimm on Tuesday 19th July 19:57

Thank you for your help! That forum is very useful too