Where is the best place (in the World) to do AFF??

[Newbie 0]

Hi all - one tandem and one s/l jump later and it's time to get serious and do this thing (well as serious as you can be having this much fun!)
Im based in London in the UK where prices (compared to the US and other places in Euroland e.g. Portugal) for AFF are just not competitive. I was looking also, to go somewhere where i can be guaranteed nice weather this summer - again the US (Arizona/California and Portugal appealed for these reasons)
Ideally though i need your guys' help to make up my mind. I know its more than financial cost and weather that can make or break a dz (i have been reading this board enough to know there are some places out there that i wouldnt ever want to go to).
What i would really like is some advice from ANYONE out there who has done AFF at any location anywhere in the World that you would like to recommend. Please let me know what you liked about the place (and if poss the prices of the course and how much Level 8 jumps were, at least at the time when you did it).
Many many thanks all and i look forward to the day when i can fly with some of you!

[Scratch 0]

Just off the top of my head AFF in SA should cost you about 400 pounds.
It is common for Brits to come to Skydive Citrusdal to do their AFF for this very reason.
The weather is good most of the year.

[skreamer 1]

How, scratch speak truth!
I did AFF at Citrusdal December 2000. AFF levels 1-8 and 2 consolidation jumps cost me a total of about £500. However you need to factor in the cost of air-fare (£500 plus) to get there and also car-hire etc. Somewhere a bit closer you might want to consider is Empuria Brava - cheap, short flight and the weather is good too.
But then again if you never go to Citrusdal you will miss out on flaming footie!!! "Don't die until you're dead"

[Scratch 0]

Quote

you will miss out on flaming footie!!!

and you don't wanna do that
By the way, for the really drunk and stupid it has been upgraded to flaming rugby

[Remster 30]

Best is a relative term.
You have to factor in the complete cost of getting a BPA like certificate overseas. A few European and American DZs have BPA rated intructors and can complete the whole cursus. Empuria is one, I'm pretty sure Sebastian in Florida too. There probably are others.
Weather wise, the place where you have this higher probability of jumping a solid week(s) is Arizona. California and Florida are usually good, but you have a higher chance of getting bum weather. Empuria also is usually good, but you can get really unlucky and show up when the Tramontana blows for 5 days straight and no one jumps. Scenary wise, Empuria is really hard to beat (allthough I bet Borneo will be nice too.. ). Plus, Barcelona is 2 hours away only, best city in the world IMHO.
Get a BPA membership, or borrow a "Skydive, the Mag", or subsribe to it. It lists "packages" for AFF courses abroad (Som in the US, some in Spain/Portugal) run by Brits. Cant comment if any of those are better then others, as I never took them.
Remster
Muff 914

[skyhawk 2]

go to www.ramblers.com.au :) with the aussie dollar at the moment afff will cost you about 5 pound lol :)
(o)(o) i got a iq of 189 so there

[Shark 0]

Newbie,
Check out: http://www.phdskydiving.co.uk/
Martin Williams runs the program and frequents Skydive Elsinore.

[skymedic 0]

Skydive sebastian......great place, great people...and a HUGE landing area.....
marc
"...a mind stretched with new idea's will never regain its shape"

[TEB6363 0]

Northern California. The prices are generally a little lower than southern CA and you can get to 4 or 5 different DZ's in about 2 hours. That way you get different aircraft, different locations, and most DZs accept the other locations training so you would not have to repeat jumps.
:::OK, Canopy is Open, No Traffic Around, .. Why are these "Extra" Lines Draping Down??, Damn!

[StevieBoy 0]

"Skydive sebastian......great place, great people...and a HUGE landing area....."
Go see Mick & Gill Hall @ Freefall Adventures, British dude & Steve Hamilton (team XL), way cool blokes, made me really relaxed in an otherwise tense situation, did my aff with them.
"Skydiving's a source, it'll change your life, swear to God"

[canopycudler 0]

ARCHWAY skydiving in Vandalia, IL.!!! Jumps for level 8 were I think $150.. does that sound right?... AFF instructor is the USPA Regional Director.. AWSOME DZ.. awsome people and RURAL KING!!
Blue skies & sunset jumps
...Tina

[Stacy 0]

we play flaming footie @ cross keys! =c) i have a pair of charred nylon pants to prove it.
Stacy
http://users.snip.net/~stacy

[lazerq3 0]

Well if it was summer and your coming to utah I'd say Ogden skydiving center!! AFP 7jump coarse with a price that I havnet seen anyone beat yet!!! ($960) (we'er a small DZ but etting bigger every year!!!!) But what do I know ...I'm just being bias!!!.....
jason

[Remster 30]

But again, getting through AFF or AFP in the US from USPA rated instructors will not neceseraly get you your BPA licence. Check.
Remster
Muff 914

[grosfion 0]

Hi,
I met a british guy last year in Portugal who is organising AFF courses. I like the dropzone in Portugal and you can probably check the British Parachuting Ass. magazine or the net.
Joe

[Scratch 0]

Quote

we play flaming footie @ cross keys!

[A101080 0]

Ampuria Brava (CPCB) would be my my recommendation.
Cheap flights there, cheap trains, cheap car hire, cheap accommodation, cheap beer and pretty cheap AFF with BPA registered instructors (do check first though)!
I did AFF there 3 years ago and had a great time!
Alex.

[Remster 30]

You forgot to mention the Spanish chicas....
Remster
Muff 914

[kmcguffee 0]

NO CHEAP BEER!!!! There is only good beer and free beer. Definite rules violation in that statement. LOL