Posted: 8/27/2008 4:32:16 AM EDT
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Any frequent skydivers here? The last thing I need is another expensive hobby. I went last week to "try it" and took the AFF class. I ended up spending the weekend, and knocking out 4 jumps to complete through my C2. I'm thinking of heading back this weekend to attempt working through to solo. After that, it seems like it gets a little cheaper. $25 a jump with my own gear (which I don't have) and $55 if I rent gear. I really enjoyed it, and had a great time with the people hanging out on the drop zone. |
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Don't know nothing about cost, but the jump zone is across the street from my house. Those people seem addicted to it. They jump all the time, warm, freezing, drizzling, whenever, so I gues it must be a little like BRD. Me? I am afraid of flying, so it kinda rules me out... ~Dan |
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It will only get more expensive. You'll see the nice catalogs with all of the new gear and then look out credit card. But, you can learn to pack at the DZ and earn some $ for jumps. As a jumper you will see and feel things that you never will anywhere else. Life insurance companies are not excited about the sport and personally I believe that if you have kids you should reconsider. It can be a safe sport but if bad things happen it just comes across as irresponsible. Enjoy. flap 230+ jumps 
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Then move on.....................................  Renting is foolish, so you HAVE TO BUY your own rig. Then you can jump more because your saving money on rentals. The $55 you saved on rental just paid 2 of the 4 jumps you make on Sat so you spent +75 and you will be back on on Sunday too right ( another $ 75.)?If 50 to $100 a day is too much then move on, if not then go for your solo. Solo is were its at.  Good luck |
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It's not cheap. You can expect to spend anywhere from $2000 for used gear on up to the stratosphere for all new stuff. Add in the costs for your jumps after your licensed, the cost of going to boogies and the intense burning desire to go to WFFC so you can jump out of a 727 or B-17, it's going to make most of your other hobbies seem cheap. It is fun though. Me at Kapowsin Air Sports, Washington 
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You look very relaxed. Excellent pic. |
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Love it! Got 1200 skydives and 386 Base Jumps
Do what everyone else does to keep it cheap. Get a job at the d.z. packing parachutes. It's a great way to help pay for your jumps and when you get some jumps under your belt, maybe you can start shooting video. You get paid for jumping and shooting tandem videos is a lot of fun. You're always meeting fun people that really enjoy life. Here's a photo of my feet that I took under canopy. 
Here's one of me Base jumping from the door of a tram crossing 1200' over the Royal Gorge in Colorado. 
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Quoted:
Sorry guys, but everytime I see one of these Skydiving threads, I have to post this: http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/sfdude/leg2.jpg HA, NOT A LEG!!!  Love it, one of the most expensive, addicting sports out there, go for it!
And you got some balls, i wouldn't do well in the cold of MA jumping. freezing just thinking about it....... |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Sorry guys, but everytime I see one of these Skydiving threads, I have to post this: http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/sfdude/leg2.jpg HA, NOT A LEG!!! Love it, one of the most expensive, addicting sports out there, go for it!
And you got some balls, i wouldn't do well in the cold of MA jumping. freezing just thinking about it....... I did my last jump the first week of this month. We're done for the year, except maybe February to stay current. I'm thinking of heading your way for the Great Whit North boogie. |
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Quoted:
Sorry guys, but everytime I see one of these Skydiving threads, I have to post this: http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/sfdude/leg2.jpg Well, I wasn't military but when I started jumping in 1978, my first 10 jumps were static lines with T-10'S so I did get to experience those uber soft landings under a round lol. I do however have 2 jumps from a 135' water tower in pitch black darkness, does that count? |
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Quoted:
your missing the joy of slamming in the ground with all that gear-at night , yea really though i enjoyed it but glad i do not do it anymore. weekend jumping is so much more fun and yes its better then the pushups. Where is the boogie at?Lake Wales |