Diving24 0 #1 October 2, 2007 Hi..looking to get my brother a gift for his upcoming birthday. He has mentioned skydiving over the years, so I am going to get him a gift certificate for a sky dive (i imagine these exist?) . My question, i know nothing about the sport besides what I have seen on TV, are there "good" and "bad" sky diving companies? Some more dangerous then others? Bad reputations? Would you recommend one to go to in Washington state? Thanks for any advice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #2 October 2, 2007 Yes, there are "good" and "bad" places to go, but the DZs in Washington all have pretty solid reputations. Two things: 1) Buy your gift certificate directly from the dropzone. I can't emphasize this enough; purchasing from anywhere else could make it very likely that you won't be able to use the certificate anywhere near Washington. To be sure that you are calling the dropzone directly, look up the dropzone's contact information either in the dropzone database here or on the USPA's web site. 2) Give us a little more information about where your brother lives - that'll help us recommend a location. If he lives in Spokane, no need to send him to one of the Seattle-area DZs when there's a good DZ not far out of Spokane. It's a big state and there's dropzones all over it. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydyver 0 #3 October 3, 2007 West Plains is located in Davenport but are getting ready to move to ritzville next season. Generally we are closed during the winter months. Richland skysports would be another consideration if you are on the east side of the state....they do some winter jumping as the temps are milder in the tri-cities than in the spokane area. Good luck, I am sure he will love it no matter where you end up at DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #4 October 3, 2007 Not meaning to Hijack but why the move to Ritzville? I know if it is a straight shot on the highway but if I am remembering that area correctly, it is further away from Spokane then Davenport?? Hope all is going good! To the poster that was asking. Search dz.com dropzones for washington: http://www.dropzone.com/dropzone/North_America/United_States/Washington/index.html Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diving24 0 #5 October 4, 2007 Hi again, thanks for the replies, very much appreciated. He lives in Bellingham. From that link that was provided it looks like Northwest Skydivers is the closest, being in Mt Vernon. I don't think he would care to drive a few hours if there is a "better" place to go, but from that list it looks like that is the one I will look into first. I will be sure to buy the gift certificate in person. I never even considered the weather, that is a good point. I guess it would be no fun to jump out of an airplane in miserable wind and rain, is it mainly a summer sport then I take it? Thanks for the information. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #6 October 5, 2007 It's a clear weather sport... but we'll bundle up if it's cold and clear. Doing the jump this time of year just means that he may be more likely to have to reschedule if the weather is crap the first time he plans to go. I haven't jumped at NW Skydivers recently, so I'm not sure if they're planning to stay open through the winter, but I believe all the others in western WA stay open year-round. The other option from Bellingham is to cross the border into British Columbia, but the exchange rate and fuel prices don't work in our favor these days, so the jumps there are likely to be more costly."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydyver 0 #7 October 5, 2007 long story...but, we have quite a few jumpers that are from the tri-cities so it is closer for them. for us it is about the same amount of time so it is no big deal. it is a private airport/airstrip and the new dz is surrounded by two farmers who love skydivers so that is a good thing. i-90 will give a lot of pr because you will see the canopies from the highway. the owners are putting a lot of money, love, blood, sweat and tears to make it work. there are a lot of us looking forward to the move. DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydyver 0 #8 October 5, 2007 last week I jumped and it was a high of 56....on the ground, meaning at altitude it is a lot colder. We just put on our winter woolies and go have fun DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
