UKKid35 1 #1 December 27, 2004 I'm planning a trip to Florida in the next month and I'm expecting to be able to spend about 7 to 10 days in FL. I'm not current and haven't jumped for 18 months, I have 40 jumps. I need to purchase a used Cypres and have it fitted to the rig I've just bought which I've never jumped, and I also need some other minor rigging work (new lower control lines plus canopy check). I've jumped at Space City before but I would like to be able to stay in a bunkhouse this time. What is the best DZ for me? Also my UK BPA membership has expired and will cost me about $250 to renew and it will only be valid until March 05. Can I avoid this cost as I certainly won't be jumping here in the UK again until the summer? Thanks in advance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #2 December 27, 2004 ZHills (Of course, I'm kinda prejudiced that way.)Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #3 December 27, 2004 Zhills is the best dz in Florida.There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #4 December 27, 2004 Quote Also my UK BPA membership has expired and will cost me about $250 to renew and it will only be valid until March 05. Can I avoid this cost as I certainly won't be jumping here in the UK again until the summer? Thanks in advance You could buy USPA. The problem is it will not help you this summer in UK; you will pay twice. The best strategy is to pay your BPA dues on schedule, every year. Once you realize you can't avoid it, your next logical step is to get involved and make it the best association possible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #5 December 27, 2004 QuoteZhills is the best dz in Florida. No doubt...get thee to Z-Hills.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kneal 0 #6 December 27, 2004 Or skydive City...depends which part of LF you gonna be in.... "Don't waste the pretty"! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 December 27, 2004 Skydive City is Zhiils Deland, Lake Wales or Zhills all have rigging lofts that can hook you up. As for buying the cypres you might need to call ahead since thats a pricey item to keep in stock and most places don't. You can't go wrong at any of those DZ's but Lake Wales is strictly camping only now and I think the same for Zhills.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bendywendy 0 #8 December 27, 2004 Hmmm.. no one's mentioned Sebastian - with it's strong British ties and fantastic view and a rigging loft? You'll need some kind of parachuting membership, though. You can get a temporary uspa good for 30 days for $15.00. No bunkhouse, though - camping only. You can usually find a skydiver renting a room in the area though to people passing through. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKKid35 1 #9 December 27, 2004 So Zhills it is then, except there's no bunkhouse there so that adds about $500 to my costs, the reason I'm not current is that I haven't been able to afford to jump, so that is a real issue. I'll call them to see of they have camping avaible (not that warm in January at night even in FL though). I like the sound of USPA membership, their site says $60 - is that right? Am I missing something? I am going to call around for a used Cypres, thanks for suggesting that PhreeZone. Impressed at the speed these moderators work - thread moved within an hour! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffallen 0 #10 December 28, 2004 Try Skydive Space Center on the East coast in Titusville. Free bunkhouse for jumpers,(i think it is free, ) 17$ to 15K, fast planes, nice view, friendly people. Rent a car and it is only a about 2 hours to Z-hills, 1.5 hours to Lake Whales, and a little over an hour to Sebastaian. Try them all, they are all great DZ's. Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NightJumper 0 #11 December 28, 2004 DeLand: Bunkhouse, $2.00 a night and more riggers than you could ever want. But if you want the view, my choice would be Sebastian. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jguy904 0 #12 December 28, 2004 Titusville (Skydive Space Center) has a FREE bunkhouse--actually a fully equipped 3 br home with internet, tv, kitchen, etc..--the fastest climbing jump ship in the country--15000 ft min altitude in 7-8 minutes--18000 ft for a few dollars more--rw and freefly organizing for all experience levels--great people--unreal view of the space center and ocean--onsite rigger and loft---need I say more? MUFF #3384, DIRTY SANCHEZ #28(Chief Recruiting Officer), FALLING GATOR #7801-A, POPS #10957, FLYING HELLFISH #847, HISPAS #79, SRA #9229, Surfador Rodrigues Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arlo 0 #13 December 28, 2004 you don't have to spend $500 on a place to stay - no way! contact pip or judy redvers at the dz. they have RVs that they rent out (i'm thinking $10-12/night) at the dz. also zhills just had more bathrooms constructed and the showers are always hot. 1-800-404-9399 is the number there. oh yeah, if you're flying into orlando (MCO) or tampa (TPA), contact the dz beforehand and let them know. there is usually someone who will pick you up for some amount of money...not sure the cost. blues, arlo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bogwarrior 0 #14 December 29, 2004 Hi, I have only jumped at Z Hills and Deland and now make Z hills my florida destination. Pip and Judys trailers are perfect,dont cost too much but give you a degree of comfort. The sunshine factory www.sunshine-factory.com may be place to pick up a second hand AAD ( its run by a brit and they are physically located in Z hills. ) email him in advance.. he is a busy guy though to dont be offended if it takes him a while to get back to you. He is also a BPA AFF Instructor. Temp membership of the USPA is possibly your best option and Manifest In Z Hills will help you sort this out. The DZ sees a good deal of jumpers from around the place and the coaching there is quite good also. The bar is run by a nice chap called Paul Meagher and he is always happy to help you settle on the DZ ..he is an AFF Instructor also, so unlike most bar talk you dont have to ignore it.. Have fun out there, pack for warm and cold weather ( its very cold at night ..Judys trailers has heating.. ) David If your ever looking for somewhere in Europe check out Lillo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bendywendy 0 #15 December 29, 2004 Well if you've only jumped at Z-hills & Deland you've missed out on quite a bit in Florida! You should definately check out all the dz's - they all have their own little niche. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflynNicki 0 #16 December 29, 2004 Now I've only been to Zhills, so I honestly can't compare ~ i will say this tho: 1.) zhills (skydive city completely rocks! great atmosphere, people, and like others have said, get a hold of Pip, he'll put you up in a camper. 2.) many, many of my skydiving friends from all over have ventured to Sebastian and continue to go back time & time again...the people i've met from down there are just fabulous and i hear the view is the state's best! If @ all possible, i'd recommend checking out both!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PMS#269 Team Dirty Sanchez#41 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bendywendy 0 #17 December 29, 2004 And you are coming here in February - finally, right???? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #18 December 30, 2004 QuoteAnd you are coming here in February - finally, right???? no worries wendy. im dragging her happy ass down with me. along with natasha. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bendywendy 0 #19 December 30, 2004 You are the best, shimmell! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflynNicki 0 #20 December 30, 2004 oooooohhhhhhh YES!!! what fun...i simply can't wait! beautiful men & women flyn' all day & playin' all night! wendy--> did i hear correctly earlier....ya'll have a trampoline!?!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PMS#269 Team Dirty Sanchez#41 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bendywendy 0 #21 December 30, 2004 we'll we were going to have one in the hangar tonight for the new year's party. We actually aren't going to do that but we've rented something that I think is going to be even better.... however, I think I am personally buying a trampoline and going to set it up here at least for the cupid boogie if not all the time - since, when am I ever home? Oh wait I was home for three days last week while I had food poisoning and the weather sucked so bad we didn't even open. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #22 December 30, 2004 ohhh ohhhh..... tampoline+skydivers+hotchicks+alcohol+maybee some soap suds=er;royjeqwrahg/// im ok.jeese this cupid boogie in sebastion just might be alot of fun. i wonder if there will be planes also, if so maybe we could jump some! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bendywendy 0 #23 January 1, 2005 planes? we need planes - alright! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites UKKid35 1 #24 January 5, 2005 Thanks everyone for your advice both here and a few PMs too, and after considering it carefully I've decided to go to... Space Centre First reason is that as I'm not current it would probably be easier to go somewhere that I'd jumped before. Secondly, I really needed to stay on the DZ, and they have a free bunkhouse (which I didn't realise). Thirdly they have offered to pick me up from MCO for a very reasonable sum, meaning I don't have to hire a car. Lastly, the altitude and the view. I'll be there in a weeks time if anyone wants to say Hi. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
marks 0 #18 December 30, 2004 QuoteAnd you are coming here in February - finally, right???? no worries wendy. im dragging her happy ass down with me. along with natasha. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bendywendy 0 #19 December 30, 2004 You are the best, shimmell! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflynNicki 0 #20 December 30, 2004 oooooohhhhhhh YES!!! what fun...i simply can't wait! beautiful men & women flyn' all day & playin' all night! wendy--> did i hear correctly earlier....ya'll have a trampoline!?!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PMS#269 Team Dirty Sanchez#41 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bendywendy 0 #21 December 30, 2004 we'll we were going to have one in the hangar tonight for the new year's party. We actually aren't going to do that but we've rented something that I think is going to be even better.... however, I think I am personally buying a trampoline and going to set it up here at least for the cupid boogie if not all the time - since, when am I ever home? Oh wait I was home for three days last week while I had food poisoning and the weather sucked so bad we didn't even open. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #22 December 30, 2004 ohhh ohhhh..... tampoline+skydivers+hotchicks+alcohol+maybee some soap suds=er;royjeqwrahg/// im ok.jeese this cupid boogie in sebastion just might be alot of fun. i wonder if there will be planes also, if so maybe we could jump some! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bendywendy 0 #23 January 1, 2005 planes? we need planes - alright! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKKid35 1 #24 January 5, 2005 Thanks everyone for your advice both here and a few PMs too, and after considering it carefully I've decided to go to... Space Centre First reason is that as I'm not current it would probably be easier to go somewhere that I'd jumped before. Secondly, I really needed to stay on the DZ, and they have a free bunkhouse (which I didn't realise). Thirdly they have offered to pick me up from MCO for a very reasonable sum, meaning I don't have to hire a car. Lastly, the altitude and the view. I'll be there in a weeks time if anyone wants to say Hi. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
