UKKid35

Thanks lots of options there. I've been spoilt by the Super King Air at Space Centre that reach 15k in half that time, everything else seems pretty leisurely now. But I've never been to Seville so that's a definite possibility. Skydive Sardegna sounds like a plan, I've jumped at Tortuga Arrezo before so they could have similar weather, and I've just found out they have a bunkhouse now.

I've never been there in spring, only in late summer when it can be rather windy. It's a shame the swimming pool has been left to fester, although that's not going to be a consideration for February. Empuria would certainly be the most cost effective option for me, but I was really hoping for somewhere warmer.

What are the budget accommodation options? I don't remember a bunkhouse. I used to jump at Space Centre Titusville when Mike X was there and running the bunkhouse, but I've not been back since everything changed. Having just checked their site it seems the bunkhouse is open again.

Thanks Wendy, sounds like a plan, but I was in Elsinore Jan 09, and the weather was pretty poor, so I considered heading for Eloy. But the weather reports were not so good so I stayed put. Are there any international destinations that you'd consider reliable in February? Thanks in advance

Georgia in March sounds pretty cold to me, but it's not so far from Florida so I guess I'd have a backup plan. Thanks for the suggestion.

I want to go on a two week holiday in February, where should I go? I need somewhere with a bunkhouse or cheap accommodation nearby, with fairly reliable weather (I know there are no guarantees). Looking for suggestions anywhere worldwide. TIA

Three reasons: I didn't immediately realise the seriousness of the situation I didn't feel ill (presumably it would have been too late if I had) I would have been embarrassed - I'm serious, I really do mean that

I really like the modern bathroom/shower block at Elsinore, but they are really cold in February! The hot water only ran out on me once though which was good, and they are cleaned daily which is excellent.

The main purpose of my original post was to alert inexperienced jumpers like myself to the potential consequences of combining jumping with other activities. The excitement of being offered a jump at the end of the day at a dz where it was difficult to get more than two lifts per day meant I acted without thinking. I hadn't intended to jump that evening, but found myself on the lift all the same. The best advice I've seen in this thread is to keep other people informed, so they have some chance to keep you from hurting yourself, and I will be acting on that in future.

This happened a few days ago, I jumped the following morning, and flew home on a scheduled flight the day after. I think I'm in the clear now. I'm not particularly fit, and didn't do any exercise between the dives and the jump, except now I think about it, I remember the scooter ran out of petrol and I had to push it for 20 minutes. I guess that may have been a blessing in disguise...

I guess I've been lucky. I did a couple of jumps in the morning and then went off for some scuba training in the afternoon. This was 18m for 30 mins plus 7m for 30 mins. About 3hrs later I returned to pick up my gear but was offered a jump which I took without hesitation. It wasn't until I was at 4,000 feet that I realised that this probably wasn't the best decision I've made. If my ears hadn't been popping a little more than usual on the lift I wouldn't have noticed any effects at all. The lift was to 10k in a sluggish C-208. Anyone else been so foolish?

I recently stayed in Selcuk for 9 nights in August and visited this DZ almost every day. I was very happy when I recognised Meryem from Empuria who was now working on staff back in her home country. She made sure I understood everything and was kept briefed as I don't understand any Turkish. The loads start around 8:30 at the weekend or 9:00 during the week and seem to run in pairs, with the first being to 12,000 and the second to 10,000. Unless you have a second rig and can run fast, it's unlikely you'll get on both loads. Then there's a pause for packing before loads 3 and 4, which finishes around 12:00 at which time there's a THREE HOUR lunch break - I'm serious, the DZ doesn't start up again until 3:30. Unfortunately by this time the winds have started up, and they don't seem to subside for another couple of hours, when if you're lucky there's another pair of loads back to back before the day's over. The manifest board only has space on it for 8 loads, I never saw that many. As with some other activities in the area, the DZ is closed on Tuesdays. I'm not a fan of the C-208s, although they seem to fit in with the relaxed pace of the DZ and appear to my untrained eye to be well maintained and cared for. Jump tickets are 53 or 58 TL for 10k or 12k, unless I understood incorrectly this includes free rental gear if needed, not as much of a bargain if you have your own. Curiously I never saw or heard another audible other than my own, despite the regular 3 & 4 ways on the loads. The view of historic Ephesus is spectacular, and you can pilot your canopy directly over the site, although landing off in that area would be seriously frowned upon. As for hazards generally you are very well off. Curiously there was a policy of keeping the C-208 away from the DZ until the last jumper had landed, so there was no 1000 ft runway rule, that must be expensive on fuel. The two packers who were there during my stay were regular jumpers, so not always available. But the pack jobs were cheap and gave me sweet on heading openings. This is a great DZ, with very friendly staff and fun jumpers, but don't go expecting to run out of jump money.

Sounds great, I'll definitely check out Lake Wales next time I'm in FL.

The only traffic at Pepperell is skydiving which is great. The big drawback is there's no bunkhouse and the local accommodation is the usual motel chains with $60 night rooms.

I jumped at Tortuga in July last year, it's a very friendly DZ and operates all week, although you may have to wait a little while for loads early in the week. No harm in carrying your USPA membership, but you will be required to take out local insurance as the USPA level for 3rd party cover is not deemed sufficient. The membership/insurance cost is not prohibitive. Don't know about rental gear - sorry. There's a great weekend DZ in Verona further north near Venice, and Verona is in many ways a much more fun to visit than Florence. If you get to France you can't go wrong in Gap-Tallard.

Has anyone jumped at DzEphesus recently? I will be there mid August, looking forward to jumping somewhere new in a country I've never visited before. Any thoughts or advice very welcome, in particular about the heat. I've jumped in Thailand where it was pretty warm, but this could be even warmer mid-August.

I'd like to know about other people's favourite Bunkhouses. I realise the biggest factor is often who is in the bunkhouse at the time, but I'm thinking more about facilities, comfort and cost, as well as atmosphere. I've only stayed in a few bunkhouses myself, Space Center Titusville (now effectively closed), Empuria (shame the pool has closed), and most recently Lake Elsinore. They were all very different in terms of facilities and character. So which is your favourite and why?

In the end I jumped at both Livorno and Tortuga, Arezzo but not Aosta. Both were very friendly and helpful to me, as I don't speak any Italian. Livorno is a weekend only DZ, the very friendly pilot is a skydiver and that seems to make a big difference. Tortuga wasn't busy during weekdays when I was there, but there were still several loads, morning and afternoon. There's also a refreshing pool, very useful at lunchtime when everything stops. I would definitely recommend both DZs.

Good, because I will visit DeLand, since there's no bunkhouse at Titusville, so no point in me staying there the whole time. My only reservation is that the last time I visited DeLand I watched a girl with the same experience as me break her shoulder in gusty conditions, as the jump limit seemed to lenient. Obviously I'm responsible for my own safety, but I would be relying on the DZ's guidance.

You're right. But I've just been told by them that exceptions are made if you have already jumped with them.

I saw The Ruins and Teeth back to back. Teeth is far more entertaining, although there's nothing wrong with The Ruins. I would say The Ruins is similar to Cabin Fever but not as funny or witty.

I guess I better check, but I've stayed there and jumped there several times before over the last seven years. Thanks for the heads up

I'm looking to rent a room from the 22nd August as the Bunkhouse at Skydive Space Centre is no more. All suggestions welcome Thanks! Paul

Thanks for the recommendation, sounds perfect for me. Contacted Mel at Elsinore and got a reply within minutes - brilliant.

I'll be in Northern Italy in a couple of months and hope to jump at Aosta and Tortuga. Any thought on either of these DZs is very welcome, especially as my Italian in non-existant. Although Tortuga seems to be a fairly major DZ, Aosta definitely isn't - would it be pointless going there except at the weekend? TIA