skanaley 0 #1 April 11, 2001 you experts probably can't stand people like me - but.... i'd like to try this thing called diving and i'll be in hawaii with my wife soon and want to give it a shot - where do i go, what do i do, what's it cost, how long does it take, will i survive, will i get addicted?Scot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
propblast 0 #2 April 11, 2001 Welcome to DZ.com there skanaley. I think you will find the people here extremely friendly and helpful. Afterall they love there sport. PPerhaps the first place you should look is on the dropzone portion of this website. It should give you numbers to places available where you want to learn. You can then get the rest of the info you need. I had an earlier thread on the length of time and well, it depends on you really. Some do it quicker than others. As for whether or not its addicting just read some of these posts!! That will help you with that answer. Thats the best I can give you for now. Anyone else got more info??-e Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cacophony 0 #3 April 11, 2001 Weather you get addicted depends on you. There are several methods you can choose to go skydiving. Your best bet would probably be to do a tandem for your first jump. This is where you ride along with a professional tandem instructor to experience freefall. This costs anywhere from $149 to $269, it just depends on the drop zone and if you want video.You could choose AFF which is the newest way to learn how to skydive. Its pretty expensive but well worth it if you intend on becoming a regular skydiver. Then there is static-line which most new timers are scared of. This is what I did. Its the old method of training. Let me be the first to tell you that its completely safe, and very fun. This is where a line attached to the plane deploys your main canopy upon exit. This generally costs as much as a tandem. Check with many DZs to find out which ones are the best. Remember, safety is key.Safe landings,Alex D-23912 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Head 0 #4 April 11, 2001 Hey Scot,Welcome! The bit I have to add to this is only what I know of Hawaii skydiving. I've been to Skydive Hawaii, which is on the North Shore of Oahu. The people are wonderful, the scenery cannot be matched and it's an all-around fun place. My recommendation to folks is that they do a tandem first unless they are sure that they want to get into the sport long-term. It'll give you an idea of what the sport is all about. You can find links to websites here, or I would also recommend checking out the United States Parachute Association's website (can't remember the address off the top of my head so you'll have to do a search) and they should have dropzone listings. Whatever you do, have fun and you and your wife enjoy Hawaii!Head Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg 0 #5 April 11, 2001 QuoteI've been to Skydive Hawaii,which is on the North Shore of Oahu.Sorry, this may be a bit off topic, I am curious as to how windy it is there. It seems to me like that could be a problem, at least for "newer" skydivers, like myself. I ask because I have always wanted to go to Hawaii, and have since started skydiving and wondered how windy it really is there, not that wind will be a problem for the rest of my skydiving career, but for now, I do not like jumping in high(er) winds.Just curious.Blue ones!!Greg A-37958 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkySlut 0 #6 April 11, 2001 www.uspa.org will give you all the listings of DZs in Hawaii if Dropzone.com doesnt have them. I think that a DZ needs to list themselves on Dropzone.com (I could be wrong, but I know that some are in there and some arent).Greg, I dont know how windy it is there, but it really isnt the wind speed that matters...its the gusty-ness of the wind that really makes a difference and what the rotors are coming off of. For example, I jump in New England. There are lots of big trees everywhere and the wind is really gusty, but when I went down to Florida...the wind was higher than New England but it was a constant wind...for the most part it was more predictable because of the landscape. I would never jump in New England with the winds that I had in Florida. I just had to be aware of it and fly my canopy a bit differently. So you should take that into consideration moreso than just the windspeed itself. Although I certainly wouldnt want to get caught downwind in Hawaii...long swim home!!!"I'll jump anything!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg 0 #7 April 11, 2001 Quoteit really isnt the wind speed that matters...its the gusty-ness ofthe wind that really makes a difference and what the rotors are coming off of.Great point, I guess I would have to agree, what worries me more than the wind speed, is the unpredictability of gusts and the change in wind speeds because of gusts versus predictable sustained winds. QuoteAlthough I certainly wouldnt want to get caught downwind inHawaii...long swim home!!!Another question, would you need a B license or better to jump there? I guess I should go look for myself, instead of asking you nice people.Thanks!Greg A-37958 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkySlut 0 #8 April 11, 2001 Dont know if it is different jumping on an island (good chance, I would imagine) but I am sure that you would have to have a flotation device at a minimum. Good question."I'll jump anything!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
