Is Skydive Sebastian a good first DZ?

[Adonis 0]

Hey,

I live in Vero Beach, FL. Looking to do my first ever jump as a tandem. I'm pretty new to the area so will be heading up to jump myself. I've always wanted to give it a go.

We have Skydive Sebastian and FreeFall Adventures both at the Sebastian airport nearby. Not sure the difference from their websites. Can someone shed some light on the difference? Good place for a first tandem? I think the location with ocean view would rock! Which is best?

I'm ready to go as soon as I can drop a couple pounds. They show 230 minimum and I'm 6' 1" and 229 buck naked, so with clothes I'll be 234 easy. I'm hitting the gym hard, but it's hard to drop any more fat and not gain muscle. I'm working on it! Maybe I can meet up with someone local on my first jump day? Be fun to share it with someone into the sport.

[jceman 1]

Sebastian is a fantastic place to do a tendem; the view is fantastic.

FF Adventures is the training school operating out of Skydive Sebastian. Call Sebastian to schedule your tandem.

Your weight should not be that much of a problem if you are in shape as you sound like you are; give 'em a call -- you may be good to go as is.

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Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them?

[tombuch 0]

Both drop zones are very well respected in the area. My suggestion is to give each DZ a call and ask a series of questions about things like instructor qualifications, jump altitudes, who packs the gear, time in business, how many students are trained at a time, and my favorite...is skydiving dangerous. Compare the answers you receive from the two drop zones and at least one more (see: http://www.uspa.org/dz/index.htm for a listing of USPA affiliated centers), then visit at least one of them before you make a final decision. Look for an honest, student-centered approach to your questions, and get a feel for the business that you would like to trust with your life.

I'd also suggest (shameless plug) that you pick up a copy of my book, "JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy" published by McGraw-Hill. It's written specifically for folks like you, and includes a detailed guide that will help you evaluate drop zones. There is a free sample of the book on the Amazon.com site...just click the link on my signature line, then click on the cover of the book. The sample includes the table of contents and index, as well as the first six pages of text.

Good luck,
.

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[saucy_dee 0]

Freefall adventures is I believe the skydiving school and Skydive Sebatian is the dropzone. The are both run from the same place. I'm from the UK and went out there last March and did my AFF (Accelerated Freefall) and loved it that much I went backin May for a further two weeks. Give Wendy Waller a call. She's the manager of Skydive Sebastian and should be able to answer all your questions.

The views are amazing there too!

D

Don't put off 'till tomorrow what you can do today

[unformed 0]

hey, i grew up in vero beach, and learned at sebastian. ... it's a really cool place ....

freefall adventures isn't a different dz, it's on skydive sebastian, i think that's just their advanced instruction school

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[Adonis 0]

Thanks all. I'll give them a call. Hopefully a couple pounds won't do me in. I'm really looking forward to this!

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