wonder2006

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Everything posted by wonder2006

  1. wonder2006
    And maybe it is perfectly safe! The thing is, "Maybe" isn't enough to convince riggers and prospective buyers. Thankfully. I seriously hope your words don't come back to haunt you
  2. wonder2006
    Reports on all are good - been to both Ocana and Lillo, and can definately recommend them (although Ocana is more directed towards AFF, so if you're going on your own, would keep in mind), and been to Seville too. Looking forward to going to Empuria this year too. Seville's got a boogie on from the 24th through to Easter depending on when your leave is, so might be busier. Bottom line - don't think you can go wrong with which ever one you choose!
  3. wonder2006
    There's updates and an interview with BJ Worth on a couple of last years Skydiveradio.com podcasts that I'm sure would give you further information.
  4. wonder2006
    Stanstead security are a bit more full of sh!t - and staff from the airline had to walk me through (which Air berlin very happily did - fantastic customer service, and didn't question me taking my rig on at all, or worry about the weight of it). Flew Air Berlin out to Spain, and Iberia back. Took my rig on as hand luggage both ways without any hassle what so ever apart from security at Stanstead. They did check to make sure it fitted in the size guide though.
  5. wonder2006
    Think it might be a Slovakian company - at least that's what a friend told me who'd ordered a suit from them. If the cam helmet is anything like the suit, I think you'll be happy.
  6. wonder2006
    Best bet then is to mail them directly asking! I am planning a trip to Eloy next year, and have had a response from them saying that if it has been packed in the UK, they will honour the UK repack cycle. Just like when my rig arrived from the US the UK dropzone honoured the US repack cycle and the repack cycle was only 120 days.
  7. wonder2006
    I currently fly a Spectre 170, but my progression was a Sabre II 190 to a Spectre 190 before moving to the 170. Would highly recommend that you try get a couple of jumps on the Spectre 190 before moving from the Sabre II 190 to the Spectre 170 so that you can feel the difference between the 9 and 7 cell canopies and how they fly differently before worrying about downsizing at the same time. I noticed a big difference between the two. I put 60 jumps on the Spectre 190 before moving to the 170 (which I still load lightly) and was really pleased that I had that first no wind day! I love my Spectre! Hmmm, lovely soft openings!
  8. wonder2006
    In the UK, packing your own gear, you just have to know how to pack to get your B. If you've been continuously packing your own gear they'll sign that part off no problem. There won't be any difference in the way they teach you however - which benefits you as they teach you all the checks you should be doing. Packing certificate is only required if you are going to be packing club kit and allows you then to do so without getting your 4 checks done by someone with a packing certificate. Just take a chance on a weekend - I wouldn't call it the worst luck for you to have jumpable weather during wet and muddy winter.
  9. wonder2006
    Sure my flatmate would love to make money out of you. But his packing credentials aren't great. Infact he's not packed before (he's open to trying tho if he's getting paid for it) Maybe you should rather think about asking the instructors (a couple of whom are riggers too) at either of those dz's - I know at Headcorn, and I'm sure Hinton is probably the same, they teach you for free on a rainy day when there's no jumping going on. All you need to do is ask. I'm sure they'd be happy to accept jump tickets too - at least the teaching is going to be of a better quality than what other random's can offer. Probably the better idea.
  10. wonder2006
    Don't get chest rings if you've got boobies!
  11. wonder2006
    I've got the ice breaker top and the icebreaker glove liners. Highly recommended. Regular gloves don't cut it though - unless they don't allow any wind through. Would get a Buff instead of the balaclava - more versatile and can be worn almost like a balaclava. Available from all the stores Craig mentioned. It really isn't that cold tho (yet!) - main things you need to protect are hand, feet and head.
  12. wonder2006
    I just got one with my Odyssey and happy with it. Mine is primarily black (as is my rig) with some detail in the colour of the pinstripes and other colour detail I have on my rig to match (so it's not loud!). Haven't tried with my helmet in, but do have logbook, paperwork, and big bulky freefly suit packed in and there is still room. I think it's good for the price (altho my gear bag took 3 weeks longer than my rig to be made!)
  13. wonder2006
    Anyone going out 23rd Dec to 2 Jan flying into either Malaga or Faro (flights to Seville for those dates equate to too many jump tickets!!!)?
  14. wonder2006
    Yes it works. Till [one of the times] you get really drunk and stupid and think that you can smoke just for the night and that's it. Would recommend. But then again, I am smoking again, so that doesn't count for much now does it. But it did work for me in quitting and that was living with smokers at the time. Just don't start again. It doesn't work a second time.
  15. wonder2006
    I'm a South African living in London - I didn't leave South Africa because of some of the problems there, it was work related. I go home as often as I can and it just amazes me that with all the problems, the people on the street are friendly and warm, and smile (unknown for strangers to smile at you in London)! And that's irrespective of what the colour of mine or their skin is. You get racist people of every nationality - and South Africa is no different - and I'm sorry if you've met some bad specimens, but we're definately not all like that - you should try make it out there some time - 99% of people I've met who've visited there have fallen in love with it. Oh, and on the crime side, I've lost 2 friends to violent crime in the last year, one in London, and one in Thailand. No matter where in the world you are, you need to look after yourself and be vigilent.
  16. wonder2006
    Sad week for those who made "Firsts" at El Capitan.
  17. wonder2006
    I did my AFF at Freefall University in Ocana, and have visted Lillo as well. Both are great DZ's, and I didn't have any issue getting signed off for my BPA license when I returned to the UK. Would go for at least 7 - 10 days if possible - whilst the sun shines most of the time, you can be unlucky with a couple of days bad weather - and it's better to finish it out there! With great weather, you can complete AFF and 10 consols in 5/6 days easily.
  18. wonder2006
    Careful! You don't want to be THAT guy (see other thread!). You want to be THIS guy! Very different (and people are trying to get rid of THAT guy!)
  19. wonder2006
    People were struggling to carry rigs onboard with Ryan Air even before the new security measures were in place.... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2332015;search_string=carry%20on%20ryan%20air;#2332015 In the news they're saying that they hope to be able to remove some of the hand luggage restrictions in the next week or so - but not sure whether you'll have better luck. Have you checked their policy?
  20. wonder2006
    See from your profile that you're from the UK - I ordered some goods from them. Took a while to get through customs (and be sure to work that extra 25% in for customs and VAT), but got here in the end. Had an issue with a the helmet bag that I bought from them being faulty and contacted them - we both agreed that sending a £25 helmet bag all the way back to the US was a bit of a wasted effort - they did give me a $10 credit for next time I buy anything from them, so guess I'm only about £18 down . But communication was good, and guess I was just unlucky. I can't really fault their customer service. Just remember to add that 25% in tho - it doesn't always end up being cheaper.
  21. wonder2006
    Hola Seldon! Welcome to the forums. I did my AFF in Ocana which is close by to Lillo - in fact just got back from my 3rd trip in 6 months. Maybe bump into you out there sometime. I absolutely love it there! Good luck with finishing your course - rather ask your instructor about tracking at this stage than on the forum to ensure that you do not get contradicting information/advice, or incorrect idea of what it is. It will be covered in your AFF. Blue skies....
  22. wonder2006
    I see from your profile that you are based in the UK, so assume that you are not asking simply about jumping whilst on a trip here, but rather you live here, just happen to have done AFF elsewhere. The best then would be for you to go to your local dz, with your logbook and DVD's if you have, and ask them to sign you off for your UK license, if you are going to be based here - any further progression you do in the UK can then just be signed off. I did my AFF in Spain, but got signed off for my A certificate when I got back. Some dz's won't charge you for this - depending on how many jumps you have, some dz's may ask you to do a check jump. As mentioned by others, BPA memebership is a requirement for anyone jumping in the UK whether it be temp or full.
  23. wonder2006
    Definately second the "Go to Spain" option. Not only because of the price difference, but the weather is a lot better. You can finish your AFF and your consols in a week, where as in the UK it can take a lot longer due to bad weather. I went to Ocana, just outside of Madrid, and loved it. Heading back for my 3rd trip in 6 months on Thursday, can't recommend it enough! Also had no issues with jumping in the UK once I'd finished, and they signed me off for my A license without any hassles. You are lucky you live close to BKPC - jumped there before, and it's a great UK dz! Really good bunch of guys, and a friendly dz.
  24. wonder2006
    Listen to this week's www.skydiveradio.com podcast - you can download it directly from dropzone.com, or via iTunes. That's this week's discussion. (Show #54)
  25. wonder2006
    Do yourself a favour, take a week off work, and go and do it in Spain. Not only is it cheaper, but you have much better weather. Only thing about Spain is that the majority of DZ's there only do AFF. If you can afford it, go for it! You can do your AFF and all consols there easily in a week, where as I know guys out in the UK who have taken months due to the weather, or not taking time out to do it!