ahegeman 0 #1 September 17, 2004 Since I started jumping in July I've learned a bunch and had a ton of fun. I'd like to keep that up with the ultimate newbie skydiver vacation sometime next year (after my finances recover from AFF, SDU, and buying JRock's rig). I want it to be a combination of fun and learning. I've been poking around, and I'm beginning to lean towards heading down to DeLand, getting some tunnel time at SkyVenture, taking the Scott Miller Canopy Control courses, and visiting a few manufacturers. Of course, this assumes that Florida hasn't been flooded back into the stone age by then. Anybody got any other ideas? Is there another skydiving mecca to consider? If DeLand is it, is there anything else you'd recommend doing while I'm there? Are there any other manufacturers besides RWS and PD to check out? When's the best time to go? Do they have a good boogie? Any skybabes out there want to go with me? I see Laidlaw banging around SD Dallas every so often, I'll ask him, too. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!--------------------------------------------------------------- There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'. --Dave Barry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 September 17, 2004 Perris Valley in Ca has a tunnel and good canopy coaches. Same with Eloy. Eloy is building a tunnel and they have lots of top coaches. The weather is more promising in Eloy, AZ.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #3 September 17, 2004 one word. Eloy.____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frenchy68 0 #4 September 17, 2004 One Word. Perris. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derekbox 0 #5 September 17, 2004 Deland has: PD, RWS, Jump Shack, Mirage, BirdMan, Altimaster, Ouragan, Me, skyvan I think that covers most of it. Derek P.S. I hear skymama shows up once every now Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paige 0 #6 September 17, 2004 QuoteI've been poking around, and I'm beginning to lean towards heading down to DeLand, getting some tunnel time at SkyVenture, taking the Scott Miller Canopy Control courses, and visiting a few manufacturers. Of course, this assumes that Florida hasn't been flooded back into the stone age by then. Come visit us in DeLand, there are some of the best freefly coaches and rw coaches out there. The tunnel is 45 min. away and there are people on here that could help you out with coaching in the tunnel or booking time. If you can't find one, look me up.Tunnel Pink Mafia Delegate www.TunnelPinkMafia.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #7 September 17, 2004 If you wanna hit meccas, there are pretty much 3 places IMO: Florida, Eloy and Perris. I say florida and not a DZ coz there's so much to check out there. Between zhill, deland, but also Sebastian and Lake Wales, you have lots of options. I'm not even mentioning the other places in the states, but there is a lot more. Eloy and Perris stand out more in their respective area. Depending how confy you are with larger boogies, there's the WFFC, though its been getting smaller and smaller it seems. Its still a great place to see all the manufacturers. Some say there's good parties there too Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #8 September 17, 2004 QuoteThe weather is more promising in Eloy, AZ. ???? It gets hot in Perris in the summer but not as hot as Eloy. It gets a bit chilly in Perris in the winter but not as chilly as Eloy. Florida is just hot. But at least it's a wet heat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #9 September 17, 2004 Easter time's good. Not too hot yet so not too many dirt devils to worry about at the big DZ's that have them. You get holiday from work anyway so it doesn't bite into your vacation days quite as bad (least that's how it works out over here - I presume you have the same kinda thing... if not my last comment doesn't stand). I've been to Perris now at easter two years running. It has everything you're after and more. Now that's not to say other places don't have, just that I can personally reccomend Perris. That said next year I'm seriously considering a DZ in Florida just for a change cos three annual holidays to the same place is a) a bit sad (even if it is to such an awsome place and b) a bit of a waste as I could experiance other places. Either that or I'm off to a DZ near Moscow if I can figure it out (but that's not really a newbie holiday). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #10 September 17, 2004 Quote???? It gets hot in Perris in the summer but not as hot as Eloy. It gets a bit chilly in Perris in the winter but not as chilly as Eloy. My point is that they have 360 jump days a year, I'm sure Perris and FL aren't quite that consistant.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #11 September 17, 2004 QuoteMy point is that they have 360 jump days a year, I'm sure Perris and FL aren't quite that consistant. Ah, but having never jumped at either one, how would you know? Perris gets damn close to 360 jumpable days a year. And personally, I don't consider weeks on end of 110+ degree heat (summer in Eloy) "jumpable" even if the skies are clear every day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #12 September 17, 2004 QuoteAh, but having never jumped at either one, how would you know? *shrug* Weather and weather patterns is a hobby of mine, so I kinda keep tabs. QuoteAnd personally, I don't consider weeks on end of 110+ degree heat (summer in Eloy) "jumpable" even if the skies are clear every day. That dry heat ain't shit, 110 in Eloy is like 90 around Houston.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JRock 0 #13 September 17, 2004 Eloy!!! Get some coach jumps with TJ!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #14 September 17, 2004 QuoteThat dry heat ain't shit, 110 in Eloy is like 90 around Houston. One nice thing about a wet heat is you can drive 80 with the windows down, put your hand out and feel something resembling a cool breeze. Do that in a dry heat and all you feel is fast moving hot air. That said, I'll take the dry heat in Perris over the wet heat in Florida any day of the year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 September 17, 2004 QuoteThat said, I'll take the dry heat in Perris over the wet heat in Florida any day of the year. Lisa, That "wet heat" and "cool breeze" you're talking about was a hurricane...get it straight.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #16 September 17, 2004 QuoteThat "wet heat" and "cool breeze" you're talking about was a hurricane...get it straight. Ha! I freely admit to being a chicken shit wussy; I got the phuck outta here three days before that bitch hit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
