Jumping in South Africa next year

[DJL 235]

Hey, I'm planning a trip to South Africa sometime next year with some friends. I will be jumping the first week I'm there and then will ship my gear back to the U.S. I'll be there two or three weeks. The time frame I'm thinking about is between August 2003 to January.

What's the best time of year to go and jump?

Do I need Parachute Assoc of SA membership to jump (I'm a USPA member)?

What are some musts of backpacking through South Africa concerning where to go, where to avoid?

Would appreciate info people would have to offer. Any internet sites would help, FAQ pages, etc.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[PhreeZone 20]

Sangiro is a native SA'er and I'm sure he could point out the best of the best if you shoot him a PM.

Speaking of that... any one remember the link to Sangiros Vacation photo's?

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[freeflir29 0]

From what the locals tell me Cape Town is the Poop. The pics look pretty bad ass too.

[nws01 0]

I agree with Clay. Cape Town looks awesome!

http://www.skydivecapetown.za.net/

[helicam 0]

This is the place to jump!!

I am trying to find my PASA manual but I think there is reciprocal membership.

Where about are you thinking of going?

Cape Town is good, there is an awesome dropzone in a place called Citrusdal...speak to meatmissile about that one.

Pietermaritzburg also has one...bluefingers jumps there..

myself I'm in Johannesburg....there are a few good ones here..

and its your pre-second trip here....so the beer is on you

Welcome!!

I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter

[nws01 0]

Here is all the DZ's in South Africa.

http://www.dropzone.com/dropzone/Africa/South_Africa/index.html

[QuickDraw 0]

Or maybe try here

http://www.skydiveworld.com/english/dz_africa.htm

-- Hope you don't die. --

I'm fucking winning

[sangiro 26]

I'm sure you're going to get loads of answers but fire me a PM with specific questions if you have any. Jump Citrusdal (stay overnight on a weekend... you won't be sorry!) and jump Skydive Cape Town....
Phree - my vacations photos are here:

http://www.dropzone.com/temp/

Safe swoops
Sangiro

[DJL 235]

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its your pre-second trip here....so the beer is on you

Oh yes, I'll be sure to bring some Authentic U.S. Brew....hmmm, Budweiser, Pabst Blue ribbon....

I'm just in the planning stage right now, figuring out what time of year and how much I expect to spend, so I'm not sure where I want to go now. I'd like to spend about 7 days with a compass and a map heading across the wilderness. It'll be a group of at most four of us but probably just my best friend and I. I think it would be nice to spend the first couple of days jumping and getting acclimated to the area and talk to people who are in the know. Then we'll head out into no-where. Right now I'm completely ignorant as to what I should expect and am full of all the stereo-types of running into Lions and poachers at every turn.

-Doug

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[freeflir29 0]

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figuring out what time of year and how much I expect to spend

Dude...you get like 10 Rand to the $1. EVERYTHING will be cheap!!!

[DJL 235]

Those photos of Namibia are really something. I'm taking a photography class soon so that I can bring back some of the same. I'll definitely get to you on the specifics.

Thanks,
Doug

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[Scratch 0]

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What's the best time of year to go and jump?

All year....this is Africa
As for people you may know and to correct 'ol Helicam.

Pietermaritzburg---Bluefingers
Jo'burg-------------Helicam
Cape Town---------Meat missile
Citrusdal-----------Scratch
Swakopmund------CrazyMel
Tsumeb------------Skystorm

Prettiest dropzone....Citrusdal.
Best view.................Cape town.
Turbine aircraft.........Jo'burg and Pretoria

Most beautiful girls......Cape Town...they are also full of sh!t.
Friendliest girls....Jo'burg and Durban/Pietermaritzburg

Jump ticket prices approx $14 to 11000ft
Price of a beer 35c-50c
Your USPA membership is valid.

Drop me a PM if there is anything else you want to know.

[skreamer 1]

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Sangiro is a native SA'er

Actually I believe he is from Namibia but did study in SA. BTW Citrusdal definitely also gets my vote for most scenic DZ (and damn friendly too).

Will

[Scratch 0]

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Citrusdal definitely also gets my vote for most scenic DZ (and damn friendly too).

and exactly when are you popping around to see said view again Mr Walls

[skreamer 1]

The tickets have been issued, I'll be arriving in Cape Town 18 April, leaving 5th May.

BTW how far is Ceres from Citrusdal? (another compromise was I'd drive back from the DZ to Ceres in the evenings to stay with the family there)

Will

PS anybody who thinks SA is a *cheap* destination should think again - the price of the flight alone could've paid for a flight, car-hire and hotel trip to Florida.

[Scratch 0]

WoooHooo
You are going to have to fly on your belly because I most certainly cannot go on my head. That said my FF suit is coming......soooon.

If you look at the map there is a road running direct from Citrus to Ceres but be warned 4x4 territory only or at least a bakkie with road clearance. If you are going by car it is Citrusdal--Pieketberg--Porterville--Tulbagh--Ceres. All in all 140km one way.

[Scratch 0]

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Oh yes, I'll be sure to bring some Authentic U.S. Brew....hmmm, Budweiser, Pabst Blue ribbon....

Jeeze Dude. You have not even got here and you are already threatening us with chemical warfare.

[skreamer 1]

Nice one!!