GraStar 0 #1 February 13, 2002 Hi EveryoneI am a UK based, 27yr old Jumper, with 30+ fun jumps under my belt. I am going to be in Florida for a week from the 10th-18th of April, and I'd like to spend a good few days of that time jumping.Basically, I'd like information on which DZ is the best in terms of: Views (Very Important), Friendlyness, Facilities and Nightlife - Also Very importantI'd also love to meet up with anyone who will be jumping between these dates, as it would be good to make some friends before coming out to the States. I look forward to your replies.Best WishesGraStar!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E150 0 #2 February 13, 2002 FYI (Any Florida DZ owners/Staff):GraStar is a bit of a mug and will always help you make cement! Or, undoubtedly, do any odd jobs that need doing . . for FREE! (Love you really GraStar) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #3 February 13, 2002 Which part of Florida are you coming to? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GraStar 0 #4 February 13, 2002 I'm going to be in Key West for 3 days (work) but I then have a car to travel to whichever DZ I fancy. I'm doing some homework so I have a pretty good idea when I get there. The east coast looks good from what I have seen so farBest wishesGraham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #5 February 13, 2002 Alright, no one else has dropped by with nuggets of info so I let drop what little I know.Your best bet will be swinging up through Key Largo, latching onto US 1 and take that to the Florida Turnpike. There are a lot of DZs up along the turnpike as far up as Orlando.There's a DZ right in the keys, but I haven't heard much about it. Right before you hit the Florida Turnpike there will be Skydive Miami in Homestead. Never been there yet, think it's a "small" DZ for Florida, but it's right next to the start of your trip up the east coast so you might swing by it.Once on the Turnpike you can hit Skydive America(bit west of the Pike really), Sebastian, and take it right up into the Orlando area for Lake Wales and DeLand. I've only visited Sebastian briefly and spent one weekend at Skydive America. Sebastian probably has a great view, it's not too far from the Atlantic, and I heard a few british accents when I swung by. Skydive America has great facilities for sleeping over at, but it's a little in the middle of BFE.Sebastian is also within an hour or so of both Lake Wales and DeLand, and you have the wind tunnel in Orlando. Maybe you could book an hour or two in there ahead of time?I have no idea what the night life is like at any of these DZs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #6 February 13, 2002 I'm biased. Come to Deland. All of the DZs around the Florida area are good. I love my family in Deland (plus quite a few DZ.com'ers jump there.)Much love and blue skies,Carrie http://www.geocities.com/skydivegrl20/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #7 February 13, 2002 Bah, there are no parties in DeLand according to SkyMamma. Besides I thought you moved to Sebastian? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #8 February 13, 2002 we have SOME parties, just not a whole bunch of craziness going on every weekend. But then, you gotta say you've been to DeLand at sometime in your life, so you might as well come while you are in FL anyway.Besides, if Carrie is there, you'll definitely want to see her! AndreaThe brave may not live forever, but the timid may not live at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #9 February 13, 2002 Hmm, go to Skydive America and see Mark... go to DeLand and see Carrie...Uh, did I mention that the bus ride to the plane at Skydive America is air conditioned? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #10 February 13, 2002 Did I mention what a hottie Carrie is?And, at Deland you don't have to take a bus!AndreaThe brave may not live forever, but the timid may not live at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottbre 0 #11 February 13, 2002 QuoteDid I mention what a hottie Carrie is?Aww, you're so modest. From what I can tell you're quite the hottie too. "Let the rabbits wear glasses. . . " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #12 February 13, 2002 Aw, thanks Scott...but I have a few years on her!AndreaThe brave may not live forever, but the timid may not live at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lummy 4 #13 February 13, 2002 So there ya go,2 hotties or an Airconditioned bus...You decideStill a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottbre 0 #14 February 13, 2002 QuoteAw, thanks Scott...but I have a few years on her!Years don't matter if you still got it... "Let the rabbits wear glasses. . . " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #15 February 13, 2002 does that mean I should flaunt it?AndreaThe brave may not live forever, but the timid may not live at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottbre 0 #16 February 13, 2002 Yep."Let the rabbits wear glasses. . . " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lummy 4 #17 February 13, 2002 Quotedoes that mean I should flaunt it?YES!!! AND it'll get ya extra altitude too ;)Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #18 February 13, 2002 haha, well actually maybe I do already because last weekend I was laying up on a picnic table soaking up some sun, and my friend came out and told me I was giving the guys in the restaurant quite a show with the short shorts I had on. Oops! I heard the other guys wern't too happy with him clueing me in!AndreaThe brave may not live forever, but the timid may not live at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottbre 0 #19 February 13, 2002 LOL. Pretty funny. So what you're saying is a guy's gotta have a picnic table to have a fighting chance? "Let the rabbits wear glasses. . . " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hisgoofyness 0 #20 February 13, 2002 "2 hotties or an Airconditioned bus..."yeah... like that actually requires some sort of decisionhisgoofynessits a bird, its a plane, no wait, its one goofy s.o.b. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalle 0 #21 February 13, 2002 I vote ya come on up to Deland as well, you could hit Sebastain, I love it there, its a great DZ. BUT if you looking to have a good time Deland will be the way to go first because there are some definite hotties that jump there (although everyone there is friendly and helpful) secondly, as far as night life goes; Youll be here right in the middle of Spring Break. Daytona Beach which is only about 20 min from the DZ. Your choice but either way be safe! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #22 February 13, 2002 Like anyone would want to spend an evening in Razzles during spring break.... yuck. but to each his own. I'm no hottie, but stop on up to DeLand, it's a nice DZ. how come I've never seen the elusive Carrie there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #23 February 13, 2002 Carrie was there last Saturday, Dave, but you might have come after she left.AndreaThe brave may not live forever, but the timid may not live at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #24 February 13, 2002 stinking work.... kept me to late in the afternoon on Saturday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nws01 0 #25 February 14, 2002 The Key West DZ is for D License only...WHEN...they allow you to jump because it is mostly a tandem factory with a C-182. I just spent a year in Florida working and I will recommend going to Orlando. Maybe stop by Sebastian on the way up (Great views I hear). In the Orlando area you have Lake Wales, Deland, Z Hills, Sky Venture, and I have heard rumors that Daytona Beach will be opening up again soon. Because you have 30 jumps I would recommend asking manifest for an instructor and let them know that you would like to jump with an experienced jumper rw/vrw and they will introduce you to someone that the instructors will allow you to jump with. Either that or you could pay for coached jumps but finding a group of jumpers to go with is key.Most important thing is to introduce yourself to others and let them know what you are there to accomplish. These are big dz's and it will seem like everyone is packing / skydiving within their groups but they are all friendly and cool to hang with.As stated before...let manifest know and the instructor will hook you up with someone to jump with if not themselves.Nathan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
