dalee

Hi yeah, I jump with the Royal Navy Raiders, just to make it clear that the RN does still have a Display team. See their website for more information about them and a fragment of information about the old RM Freefall team at this link: http://www.rn-raiders.org/team_history.html The RM freefall team were definately well known for for their impressive CF Stacks. The current RN Raiders website contains all sorts of information about current Royal Navy Display Parachuting, though most of the content is aimed at the public from the perspective of an events organiser. We do have some members of the Royal Marines in the team and many of the current team members have contacts that were in the old RM display team. Dave Lee

Of the 11 DZs I have jumped at in the U.K and abroad, I must say this is one of the best. The DZ itself is a pleasant place, they have 2 Porters and a Super Twin Otter running, shaded indoor packing, bar/cafe, pool and now a shop run by a very pleasant British guy who gives lots of helpful advice! The views are stunning! The mediteranean coast with the marina town and the snow covered mountains to the North. The nightlife is good - loads of bars. I recommend Dolcevita - the restaurant on the beach as a nice place to get s meal out at a reasonable cost (Good Pizzas). The landing area isn't as small as people make out, if you're worried just practise your accuracy before you go but anyone with 20+ jumps should be able to land there easily! As a British jumper I must say that I'm used to every load having a jump master to coordinate exit order and that is missed in Spain. As long as you take responsibility for yourself AND others and TALK to other jumpers on the load an exit order and a SAFE skydive can be established. Most people can speak in English there. Overall I had a fantastic experience there. Load turn arounds were quick, often when asking I was told I could get on a 10 minute call, but as other people have already commmented, the winds do pick up in the afternoon. Whilst they don't check your experience when there is a wind limit - take warning - they get strong. It went from no limit to a 400 jump limit between getting on the plane and deployment on one lift, and landing was very turbulent. Know your own limits. Highly recommend this DZ.

RAFSPA Weston on the Green (Weston) is an awesome DZ. I've been jumping there for just over a year now and I recommend it to anyone who can get there. Its normally easy to get on a load as they run two turbines simultaneously. The landing area is HUGE as is the indoor packing hangar. There is a bar and a kit store, as well as all the usual creeper areas etc. They allow camping. The only downside is that is is a military base so some rules are slightly stricter and mid week jumping is sometimes difficult but you can phone ahead to check. Highly recommended. *****

I would like to recommend Perris Valley Skydiving center to any skydiver visiting the USA. It has a fantastic friendly atmosphere with superb facilities. The ran at least one if not two Super Otters for us on weekdays while we were there, (the have 3 for those 'extra busy' times and Boogies) plus their Skyvan on weekends. Square 1 is located on te DZ for all your gear needs and the Bombshelter restaurant and bar is a great place to socialise (good food as well!). We made loads of friends at Perris very quickly and will be returning to it sometime soon. They managed to get our 7 AFF students qualified in the time we were there. The staff even organised water training and night jumps for us as well as a balloon jump (though it was too windy in the end). The only bad point about this place is the outside packing area (but that's okay as there are usually nil to low winds anyway!) Dave Lee, SkydiveUWE