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Dropzone Database: Europe: United Kingdom : Netheravon (Nethers) : Reviews

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(Review ID:5085)

9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

A good DZ requiring a make-over

Rated by: shep7376 on 2009-05-04 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Netheravon (Nethers)
Pros: Aircraft, instruction, events, manifest, staff
Cons: Some attitudes, infrastructure

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I have recently completed my AFF course at Nethers and was quite suprised by some (but not all) of the reviews.

I notice that many of the reviews make comment of the military funding the DZ, perhaps it is important to remember that the DZ is a military training dropzone with the APA running the 'civi' side - independently. If the military had enough money to throw at the DZ I'm sure they would be in a better building than they are now. Hopefully this will change in the near future with the move to a spare hanger.

Many of the staff are military yet are not there as permanent staff, they give their time to support their chosen sport and are not paid for it. That said I can understand where the comments about some attitudes come from, in defence safety is everything and this is strictly controlled although this could on occasion be verbally explained in a more 'fluffy', non military way.

With regards a comment about 'best to be a blonde female', I'm afraid that I'll have to agree, I have recently tried to get FS coaching only to fail. I tried to get one through manifest but failed. Asked around the DZ and still nothing turned up. Spoke to several long-time regulars and was told that this was the norm... I did finally get a coach though, some of the military lads helped me out.

Overall, dispite the negatives I would recommend the DZ to anyone passing-by, it is full of knowledgeable skydivers who will make the time for you if you ask them, the bar host some awesome parties and there are always lots of great events on.

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(Review ID:4709)

13 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

As long as you don't judge a book by it's cover you will be pleasantly suprised

Rated by: andym148 on 2008-08-15 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Netheravon (Nethers)
Pros: loads of aircraft,large landing area, loads of load organizing.
Cons: Housed in a WW2 building.

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I've read lot's of reviews on here ref Nethers, some good and some bad. But a lot of the negative post's are over 2 years old, I thought I'd try and give an up to date review.
First thing's first, I am a regular Nether's jumper and have been for some years and I'm there most weekends, so you could say I am bias towards the DZ, but I'm going to be fair.
The DZ is housed in a grade 2 listed building, with lots of scaffolding holding it up. But as long as you don't intend in living in there it serves it's purpose adequately.
The instructors are mostly military, so surprise surprise they act in a military manner OCCASIONALLY! If you are rude to them don't expect them to kiss your ar*e, but again there is no reason for them to be rude to customers.
As for local cliques, yes there are groups of friends that jump there who have known each other for some time. If you were visiting from another DZ and don't make the slightest effort to talk to the local jumpers, then the blame cannot be laid squarely on us. What if it was reversed and I came to your DZ would come up to me if I was sat on my own?? And for none jumpers, do you go up to random strangers in your local pub, and drag them into your group when your with your friends? If both party's make an effort which does happen LOTS, everyone is made to feel welcome.
We have a good cafe serving hot and cold food, run by a lovely lady called Den.
We currently have 4 planes,1x grand caravan, 1x caravan and 2x Islander's. But even with much lift capacity you still have to wait occasionally, thats just life. As for preferential treatment, if you plan on doing 1 to 2 fun jumps a day, and say a team needs to do 10 lift's a day and there their every weekend, training for a competition then of course they are going to get on the lift first... it's the same at every DZ.
We have load organiser's for FS,big ways,FF and wingsuits. The emphasis is now to try and bring back freeflying to the DZ with coaching from Team Euphoria. There are tunnel coach's for FS and FF available every weekend, if you want to do tunnel and sky coaching.
I hope this is a fair balanced view? Every DZ has it's fault's if you dig deep enough and nethers is no exception. So come and give Nether's a try, what have you got to loose?? And if you think there's a click you can always come freeflying with me!

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(Review ID:4398)

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

Great DZ, Great people

Rated by: CrazyCat on 2008-03-13 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Netheravon (Nethers)
Pros: Vibe, safety, friendlyness
Cons: Vibe, safety, problems that are out of DZ control

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I think Netheravon gets a bit of a raw deal.
Hence the cons are similar to the pros.

To start it is a protected world war 2 building with dreadful toilets, scaffolding everywhere and occasioanl ponds where the roof is leaking. (Hopefully by the Summer 2009 the centre will have moved to a newer hanger with better facilities so watch this space)

New members probably feel they are put through lots of red tape, have to fill out a million forms etc. but please get through it and move on, once it is done it is done.

Emtering the camp is not easy but once you have done it the first time it gets easier.

The staff take the safety of everyone on the DZ very seriously. Hence all the paper work, the need to ensure rigs, students and jumpers are safe before they can even exit a plane.

It isn't because they are military 'dads army' or any of that 'civi' 'bull' that people who have never been exposed to the military presume it is (and I am a civi)it is them following the rules. -why shouldn't they-it is there ratings on the line.

As for the clicque that everyone talks about, yes there are some really tight knit, great groups of friends - we are family. They/we have known each other years or formed friendships - just like anywhere you find groups of people who form smaller groups.

Frankly if newcomers make an efforts to join in I have never witnessed anyone trying to stop them, in fact I am certain that you would end up knowing their enture skydiving history, how they got into the sport, and be whisked off for a curry before you even realised it.

However if people turn up and stand on their own in the middle of the dz and make no effort to speak to others well the way we see it is if someone wishes to keep themselves to themselves well we respect that.

If you are joining the DZ please spend a couple of weeks getting to know us, say hello, ask to jump with us and I can assure you you will become part of the family. Go to manifest ask them to put a call out inviting people to join you.

I think some of the comments here are valid, but I also wonder how many DZ's have bad and good days? How many DZ's have Skygods that think they are above it all. I suspect all DZ's.

All I can advise is that if someone has a problem with the way they are treated, they should just tell the DZ. After all if there are some staff members that are upsetting punters they should not be working there. If someone has a problem with the attitude of an instructor or is not being looked after as a student please speak up. How can the DZ deal with these issues if they do not know about them.

It is supposed to be fun.

Don't stew about small issues for years (as a couple of people here quite clearly have) and blurt it out on this website when you have not even been there for months. The DZ has changed, there are people there that really care about the sport and the people in it.

Oh and the DZ hosts some of the best parties...

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(Review ID:4381)

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

Friendly, professional DZ with loads to offer. The Army lot aren't all that bad!

Rated by: Alanaos on 2008-03-03 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Netheravon (Nethers)
Pros: Friendly, lots of progression evenings, load organising, coaching, bar,etc
Cons: If you want a night out away from the DZ it's expensive for a cab back

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I moved to this DZ after getting tired of the slow turnaround and lack of a social scene at Weston. The facilities are fine, you can usually get coaching, they throw some awesome parties and as long as you don't mind saying hello first pretty much everyone is lovely. Oh and the view from up top is great!

I drive out of my way to go to this DZ. Don't listen to the bad reviews (which sound like they were written by the same person). Come and make up your own mind.

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(Review ID:4282)

2 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

Went once, was totally ignored, then left...

Rated by: shaunspp5 on 2007-12-29 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Netheravon (Nethers)
Pros: Open all year round, good planes
Cons: Almost everything else.. :(

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Went once to do a few jumps whilst my local DZ was closed.. Was totally ignored. Looked down upon for jumping in the states....

So I left, I would not waste my time or money in a play like that...

Skydiving is a FUN hobby, not something I do so others can make me feel bad!

(Im sorry this is negative, Im sure I just caught them on a bad day - Blue Skies)

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(Review ID:4241)

5 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

Dropzone surrounded by some of the most beutiful countryside in england let down by the attitudes...

Rated by: gonzallo on 2007-11-24 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Netheravon (Nethers)
Pros: Stunning Scenery, nice planes.
Cons: Most unfriendly, cliquey place I have ever been in the world.

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Although it was some time ago that I was here I still must add my opinion.
After beginning aff in a different country I returned to the u.k. still with the last 3 levels left to do.
I chose Neveraven to complete aff after it was recommended to me by another person who was jumping in the dropzone overseas.
After driving for 4 hours from the other side of england I arrived at Netheraven, situated in the stunning english countryside close to stone henge.
When I enquired about completing the aff I was referred to a guy who introduced himself but the said that as I had not been there before he could even speak to me I would have to wait until he had dealt with and jumped with every other person there who was doing aff. I waited for 5 hours before I could even speak to this character who was then extremely rude saying that as I had started the course abroad under uspa rules the instruction was not to the level of their bpa instructors and then went on to talk about himself and how much of a sky god he is.
Incidentally a friend I went to Netheraven with who was in the same situation as me was treated extremely well and finished her course there, although I think this may have had something to to with the fact that she was female and blonde.
Basically in the end I chose another dropzone to finish the course at after been ignored, spoken to rudely and generally treated like sh*t.
For the whole six hours or so I was there I was made to feel unwelcome and patronised as a student. Overall the general atmosphere is one I wish that no one else has to experience again EVER, especially as a paying customer.
In short I do not recommend this place to anyone unless:

1. You are affiliated with the military and are a regular at this dropzone.

2. You have had a private school education at the same school as the regulars there (and are a regular there yourself).

3. You are an extremely good looking female in which case you will be welcome here regardless.

If you do not fall into one of these three category's forget it and spend your money somewhere else.

It was nearly two years ago since I was at this dropzone and I had hoped that things might have changed but after reading recent reviews I think not.

Since completing aff I have made significant progress in my chosen fields of skydiving and have began base jumping. I hope that anyone else who is treated badly as a student by these sorts of people do not let it put them off the sport and persist as it becomes much more worthwhile when you are in the company of people that treat you as an equal instead of subhuman

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(Review ID:4045)

9 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

Great dz, excellent facilities,friendly staff

Rated by: chipiematt on 2007-07-29 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Netheravon (Nethers)
Pros: Friendly, welcoming, helpful.
Cons: Not enough fs coaches

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I'd like to write a note to say how pleased Ive been with skydiving at netheravon, me and a freind have been jumping at a few different dz's around the south of England trying to progress to our B licence and trying to find the best dz, we struggled to get any attention at a couple we tried and after visiting them time and time again didnt progress.
We then went to netheravon, and in a month of jumping there we today got our B licences and passed our packing course, I would fully recommend nethers, its definately my home dz now and would like the thank everyone who helped us get our B licence.
Matt watkins & Barry o'connel

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(Review ID:2830)

30 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

A high standard of skydiving for excellent value, with an excellent and friendly atmosphere

Rated by: Lemming1 on 2006-12-12 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Netheravon (Nethers)
Pros: World class coaching, regular load organising, excellent student atmosphere
Cons: It can be a little slow in the summer because it's too popular. (Not to worry, additional caravan next year)

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Having been jumping at Netheravon for 6 years, (including driving past other DZs to get there), I can only conclude that there are 2 DZs in the UK called Netheravon, as I recognise very little of the negative criticism.

Are the staff anal, or just safety conscious, acting when people are unsafe/risk the lives of the rest of the jumpers? If what Nethers does is perceived as anal, I'd be very worried about jumping elsewhere!

However, given the lack of names of people firing criticism, my suspicion is that they are all written by the same bitter person who was banned for his own safety, not to mention ours...

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(Review ID:3563)

5 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

A DZ I would not wish upon a fellow skydiver

Rated by: stilettodave on 2006-12-02 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Netheravon (Nethers)
Pros: Aircraft
Cons: Staff Attitude, Jumper Attitude, Antiquated Facilities

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This DZ is very close to home for me and I have given it more than a fair share of chances to prove the critics wrong. I do however feel that all customers are better served driving up to Weston or Langar due to the antiquated military customer service approach(love it or leave).
The senior staff trully are living on tax payers money that should probably be spent on the NHS.

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