kpipes 0 #1 August 15, 2003 I drove five hours to Southern California just to watch the goings on at Perris Valley and at Lake Elsinore. Such nice people! I haven't jumped out of a perfectly good airplane since 1968, at the ripe young age of 16. Believe it or don't, my parents signed a release for me, and watched me do a couple of static line jumps. The first one was scary as hell. The second jump was more relaxed, but I never overcame the sensory overload and freaky experience of that first jump. At the old age of fifty, I figure it's about time to saddle up and pick up where I left off so long ago. I am trying to figure out where to go to begin AFF. I live in Fresno, and it's only a couple of hours drive to Lodi or Hollister, and two-and-a-half hours to Monterey. The website photos of skydivers overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Monterey Penninsula look pretty darn nice. Anyone out there have any advice on choosing a good dropzone? Thanks in advance for feedback! - Keith "Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom. How do they learn it? They fall, and falling, they're given wings." - RUMI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #2 August 15, 2003 Welcome to the forums, I'm not from cali so I can't help ya there, but Blue Skies!~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 August 15, 2003 Welcome back to your home (skydiving)! How to pick a DZ? Go to the ones you're thinking about jumping at, hang out for a while, preferably a day, get a good feel of the place, meet the jumpers there, the staff, etc. That's about the only way to know if you'll want to call that place home or not.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpipes 0 #4 August 15, 2003 thank you!"Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom. How do they learn it? They fall, and falling, they're given wings." - RUMI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpipes 0 #5 August 15, 2003 Thanks. Sounds like good advice."Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom. How do they learn it? They fall, and falling, they're given wings." - RUMI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #6 August 15, 2003 Theres a dropzone just outside of Bakersfield in Taft, not too awfully far from you but it sure aint got no ocean view Have fun wherever you go. dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 August 15, 2003 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #8 August 15, 2003 Welcome back to Skydiving and welcome to these forums! It's apparent that the desire to take toi the skies never left you . . . I acknowledge you for responding to it. I have no advice on a DZ for you . . . maybe you can post in the "Places To Jump" forum with the same question - you may get some more responses there. Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #9 August 15, 2003 Ola!! It's hard to tell which is the best DZ from where you are at. Every place has something special. I know, I've jumped at all the Nor Cal and So Cal Dz's... I currently work at Hollister and it's a fun place to jump. Predominantly a student or lower time jumper DZ everybody gets along with everybody. Again, all the DZ's in the Bay Area all the way to So. Cal and in betweeen are good... All I can say is welcome back to the sky and I look forward to maybe meeting you at a DZ nearby.. P.S. We still get a pretty good view of the Pacific from Hollister... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpipes 0 #10 August 16, 2003 Thank you. I will come to Hollister to spend the day meetin & greetin. Hope to see you there."Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom. How do they learn it? They fall, and falling, they're given wings." - RUMI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpipes 0 #11 August 16, 2003 Andrea - I see you are the moderator. Thank you for your warm welcome. I don't recall 'ever' being surrounded with such helpful and considerate folks. - Keith"Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom. How do they learn it? They fall, and falling, they're given wings." - RUMI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #12 August 17, 2003 Yep, we have some really cool people here. I now schedule my vacations around boogies where I can go meet more dz.commer's. I was just in Nor Cal in June. Too bad you didn't start sooner!She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robskydiv 0 #13 August 17, 2003 Welcome Kpipes. Wishing you the best. I'm sure you'll find a nice DZ or even a few that you'll really like. Keep us informed of your progress. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #14 August 17, 2003 welcome backMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mctyeire 0 #15 August 17, 2003 "Such nice people here . . .feels like home!" I'm still astounded by this element of the sport skydiving scene. What you describe is a worthy end in itself. For us, I suspect it is a byproduct of the intensity of our activities and our dependence on one another to be safe and learn while we play in the sky. Welcome! Chad good friends, blue skies, and sweet, sweet altitude... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racenic 0 #16 August 18, 2003 Check out www.skydivecaliforniacity.com located in the dez near Mojave, doesn't cost a thing to spend the night, plus there is room to park a travel trailer if you have one. Tell 'em Nick sent you Nick Nick D The key to Immortality is- first living a life worth remembering” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Webby 0 #17 August 18, 2003 I am new to the sport and did my AFF training at Skydance in Davis, CA. The training and the DZ are excellent! The trainers are patient and very professional. They make sure your ready. The DZ is basically in the middle of miles of farmland - may not be the best view, but it made me feel better that there is very little to hit but dirt. And you can go to all of the great view places after you have made several jumps and have your license. Davis may be a bit more of a drive for you, but I think it would be worth it. Just my $ .02 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #18 August 19, 2003 QuoteI am new to the sport and did my AFF training at Skydance in Davis, CA. And don't forget that jumping near the gun club gives a whole other level of excitement to the jumps! It makes you have really good accuracy, that's for sure! (note: Skydance is a great dz, I loved my weekend there and I'd go back in a heartbeat. The gun club was just a big surprise! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
