Best dropzones for swoop training (especially winter months)

[Regulate 0]

It is surprisingly difficult to find a place from internet to match these criteria:

- offers hop'n'pops
- offers cheap hop'n'pops (or at least decently priced)
- swooping allowed
- preferably has a pond
- weather & wind conditions are reliable
- operates at least multiple days a week, reliable for fun jumpers
- operates during winter months (or spring)

If the above criteria would be met, it could be anywhere in the world. Most dropzones only market tandems in their website, or some 30EUR+ jump tickets without hop'n'pops. Doesn't anybody offer good conditions for swoop training for the cheap and broke individuals? Basically the best I can find is Dubai desert, but I can't believe 28 EUR would be the cheapest option globally. Even in Finland (expensive, remote, short season, only a handful of tandems) DZ's offer jumps for 16-18 eur so I'm hoping to find something similar but with better climate! :) The easier it is to get to from Europe the better.

If you know a place, it would be great to hear about it!

Edited September 30, 2022 by Regulate

[kleggo 145]

Zephyrhills Florida?

Probably not cheap but should meet all other requirements..

The pond should be VERY FULL right now........................

[alfonso904 4]

On 9/30/2022 at 7:04 PM, kleggo said:

Zephyrhills Florida?

Probably not cheap but should meet all other requirements..

The pond should be VERY FULL right now........................

It's no longer a pond, it's a lake 

[chuckakers 425]

On 9/30/2022 at 4:50 AM, Regulate said:

It is surprisingly difficult to find a place from internet to match these criteria:

- offers hop'n'pops
- offers cheap hop'n'pops (or at least decently priced)
- swooping allowed
- preferably has a pond
- weather & wind conditions are reliable
- operates at least multiple days a week, reliable for fun jumpers
- operates during winter months (or spring)

If the above criteria would be met, it could be anywhere in the world. Most dropzones only market tandems in their website, or some 30EUR+ jump tickets without hop'n'pops. Doesn't anybody offer good conditions for swoop training for the cheap and broke individuals? Basically the best I can find is Dubai desert, but I can't believe 28 EUR would be the cheapest option globally. Even in Finland (expensive, remote, short season, only a handful of tandems) DZ's offer jumps for 16-18 eur so I'm hoping to find something similar but with better climate! :) The easier it is to get to from Europe the better.

If you know a place, it would be great to hear about it!

Eloy. Killer pond, perfect winter weather, two onsite PDFT members.

[Deisel 38]

Raeford (aka Paraclete)

[Regulate 0]

On 10/3/2022 at 5:20 PM, chuckakers said:

Eloy. Killer pond, perfect winter weather, two onsite PDFT members.

Thanks. Do you know the price and availability of hop'n'pops? From the website I only found full altitude 33 USD.

[gowlerk 2,190]

6 hours ago, Regulate said:

Thanks. Do you know the price and availability of hop'n'pops? From the website I only found full altitude 33 USD.

The pond is currently closed for maintenance. I'm sure it will re-open soon, but check before you go. I believe low altitude jumps are now priced the same as going to the top. This pricing appears to be the new normal at many DZs.

[nwt 131]

Sebastian is good. They have a pond, $26 hop n pops, and access to coaching with Curt from Alter Ego (which I highly recommend).

They do get more weather than Eloy.

Edited November 9, 2022 by nwt

[kleggo 145]

On 10/3/2022 at 7:20 AM, chuckakers said:

Eloy. Killer pond, perfect winter weather, two onsite PDFT members.

I attended the swooping world champs @ Eloy a few weeks ago.

Their pond is impressive.