drewcarp 0 #1 March 14, 2010 Hey there, hope this is an ok spot for this. I will be traveling to Z-Hills next Tues for a week to do some jumping. I don't know anyone there or even in Florida for that matter but I hope i can get some jumps done and have some fun. I'm starting to wig out a bit about the trip as i don't know anyone there and haven't really ever gone on a week long vacation alone before but I'm sure it will probably be fun once it's under way. I only have 5 jumps so I know I'm a newbie lame-o but was hoping maybe someone else who reads here has a story about traveling to a galaxy far far away to do AFF by themselves or something similar that would be encouraging to read before my trip? I'm thinking I'll pry get a hotel for the first few nights until I get my bearings and feel out the vibe and then camp the last few nights at the DZ if seems like I would be welcome and enjoy it. Any tips or things I need to know for Z-Hills camping, AFF, hotels, near by bars etc? Know it's a long shot but if anyone else will be at Zhills those days and doesn't know anyone else there hit me up and maybe we can grab some beers or something. Any tips on solo DZ travel or Zhills in general? I hear a lot of great things about Z-Hills but still a little nervous about a week long solo trip. And shit I'm scared as hell about the jumping too Hope you are having a good one! Drew Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #2 March 14, 2010 There will be a bunch of us wingsuiters there the weekend of the 19-21. Z-hills is a great place to get your jump on. Fill out you waiver, tell them what you want to do and they will do everything they can to hell you reach your goals. There is a large area for you to camp. Hot showers. Bar on the DZ. Food on the DZ. tkhayes on here runs the place. Or at least they let him think he does. If you see a guy with a shaved head and a blue/yellow wingsuit, it's most likely me. Introduce yourself.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #3 March 14, 2010 Beware- that place is overrun with Assholes! (if you don't know what I mean, ask when you get there. Maybe you can become an asshole too. ) Just be friendly and talk to people, I'm sure you'll make some friends in no time. I know some of the locals will be going to a boogie in GA, but you'll still have those crazy wingsuiters there. 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
monkycndo 0 #4 March 14, 2010 Callin' me an Asshole is fine. Lots of good company. But callin' me crazy, thems is fightin' words. 50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nataly 38 #5 March 14, 2010 ZHills is an extremely newby-friendly DZ.. Not only are the people AMAZING, but the landing area is HUGE, and facilities (as far as skydiving goes) are very good. There is a canteen, showers, internet and bar on site - you pretty much never have to leave! If you're not a tent kind of guy, ask around for Pip & see about renting a trailor - rates are quite reasonable. Don't worry about only having 5 jumps.. I only had about 5 jumps (over like 2 years) when I showed up and a few weeks later I was doing my coach ratings!! People are very happy to help newbies along.. Keep your wits about you and take all bonfire stories with a pinch of salt & you'll be absolutely fine. Say hi to TK, Billy & Paul for me :) Nataly"There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowwhite 0 #6 March 15, 2010 Quote Callin' me an Asshole is fine. Lots of good company. But callin' me crazy, thems is fightin' words. As I told the erasible Johnny Gates "I aspire to be an asshole!" And if I am lucky, I may be there for a day during that period too!skydiveTaylorville.org freefallbeth@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcandalysse 0 #7 March 15, 2010 This week you won't feel lonely especially if you speak German, Polish, or Slovinian! Nataly said it well, just tell manifest what you need to learn and they will arrange it for ya. If you have the $$, I suggest some wind tunnel time in Orlando. Sally can set you up for the tunnel coaching. Sat and Sun will be crowded, you can meet lots of dz.com people. marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drewcarp 0 #8 March 15, 2010 Hey thanks everybody!! I'm feeling better already about coming out. I've got 40 or so minutes of tunnel time from skyventure CO so I think that should be enough, although 15 of it was spent flailing around on the net trying to back fly, haha. I haven't jumped in 18 months so the nerves are certinly quite raw and its making my somach turn thinking about it, can't wait to get that first jump back out of the way, hopefully things will be easier after that? I'm getting in tomorrow afternoon, probably stop by for an evening beer and check the place out. Weds morning is game time tho. Only goal is to come back in one peice and with a few more jumps than I had and hopefully a few new friends. Thanks for your replies everybody!! If I meet any of you beer is on me. Drew Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SARLDO 0 #9 March 15, 2010 HEY EVERYBODY, DREW IS BUYING BEER AT Z-HILLS THIS WEEK!!!! He, he, he... don't forget your wallet "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #10 March 15, 2010 Come see us in Fitzgerald for a day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SARLDO 0 #11 March 15, 2010 Quote Come see us in Fitzgerald for a day. Oh, rub it in... I was headed to Fitz this week but, Uncle Sam decided I need to go to NY instead. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drewcarp 0 #12 March 15, 2010 Sounds like a lot of fun, can we do AFF outta the heli? JKJK... My first instinct is that I should probably figure out what I'm doing before trying to add the extra traffic and crazyness of a boogie but if there are provisions to keep the inexpreienced like myself safe I would def consider it. Or if its close enough and the weather is bad at Z-hills I might just come out for a day to check it out and not jump. Would that be worth it? Thank you for the invite. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #13 March 16, 2010 20 min. from the interstate and Sat. night will be worth the trip. Several people have started AFF at this event. I'm not trying to draw you away from Z-hills, cause there are some great people there. TK is the best. But I throw a good party. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
