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Dropzone Database: North America: United States: New Jersey : Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures : Reviews

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(Review ID:4910)

0 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

True home

Rated by: michalm21 on 2008-12-06 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures
Pros: Good atmosphere, nice facilities, wingsuit pilots :)
Cons: Could be closer to where I live

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CK has been my home for 2 seasons now.
Although it feels like the vibe and after parties declined since '07, I believe it's the general economy making it's "contribution" to our sport.
It still is a fantastic place to hang, jump, learn, and sometimes waste time at.
People are great, facilities are far above average, loft is great; XK has RW, FF and Wingsuit organizing (WS in the summer at least with 2 best pilots known to man kind - Jeff and Phil ;)), Twin Otter and a Skyvan with possible fleet improvements in '09

Even with almost 2 hours of commute each way, CK is by far my favorite DZ in the North East.
See you on the DZ :)

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(Review ID:4865)

0 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

my fav dz

Rated by: noonman on 2008-11-04 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures
Pros: everything
Cons: flights to expensive from the UK

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For those who have been jumping for a while know full well that every dz has its ups and downs including the characters that run the place from those who help in the teekee bar to the pilots and staff.....they can never please everybody all the time but I know from my own experiance of xkeys that there are some really descent, hard working staff who will always go out of their way to help with any questions and problems.

a few years ago I went to xkeys for a couple of weeks and stayed 3 months, that pretty much sums up how i feel about this extra ordinary DZ. john couldnt have been more accomodating, even kicking Selwin out of his little castle for me (cheers sedge)

I found the rigging room to be of the highest standard and ever so helpfull even with my silly questions that had the rigger throwing his eyes up in the air. sorry mate.

Like all dz's around the world, there are characters that stand out and put a smile on your face just thinking about what their next antic is going to be...ranging from putting mgbgt sports car on the benches out front of the hangar doors to laying a 10 pound bag of bird seed on the roof of the trailer for revenge!! That especially goes for those fury faced pilots who give up well paid jobs flying over the pond to being drop zone bum pilots...although the trailer party's were good because the food is always good!

I guess what im saying is, every dz has its moments but for myself and dozens of british skydivers who have ventured to xkeys, its been a blast and some time in the future I will be returning for a couple of weeks with some friends.
all the best to those who remember me and thats includes glenn "alright mate", only cause he never understood me london accent;-)
Don't let the negative points from one individual sway you in your views towards this dz.life is far too short..see ya lee

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(Review ID:4787)

3 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

be prepare to cut away if you use their rigs

Rated by: rtg456 on 2008-09-21 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures
Pros: Nice planes, nice dropzones
Cons: ignorant AFF instructor, ubreliable gear

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They seem to have a a high percentage of students having to go to their reserves. Every thing there is rushed, from the training to the packing. If you get your "A" license (25 jumps), using their equipment, and never have a malfunction, you are lucky. To make matters worse, one of the two AFF instructors are very rude and condescending. I love skydiving, but I also love living. I'll never jump there again.

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(Review ID:4692)

0 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

A place that used to be fun for fun jumpers is no more!

Rated by: joedesk264 on 2008-08-06 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures
Pros: Tandems
Cons: Fun Jumpers dont go!!

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I was jumping at cross keys occasionally and the place now only cares about TANDEMS! Years ago there were many fun parties out there which made the skydiving atmosphere one not to ever forget. Now they have a manager there that doesn't even jump and is kicking all the fun jumpers out off the Dropzone. Time for new management and bring the fun back to skydiving at cross keys and maybe get back on the map.

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(Review ID:3880)

4 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

Thank you to CK for charity event

Rated by: skydive516 on 2007-05-22 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures
Pros: All good
Cons: none

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Let me preface this by stating yes Cross Keys is my home DZ but as you read you will see that this review is non bias, I�m sure you will agree as you read on. In May of 2006 I approached DZO John Eddows with an idea for a charity fundraising event that would benefit the Special Olympics. Having a brother and sister who are mentally handicapped, who have participated in the Special Olympics, I have a personal connection with the particular charity. Being a Police Officer for 15 years and a member of the Policemen�s Benevolent Association I had the ability, resources and backing of a non-profit organization to organize a charity event using the sport of skydiving. We came up with the C.U.F.F.S. (Cops United Free Falling Spectacular) charity skydiving event. During the charity event we invited the public to come and make tandem skydives with local police and public safety personnel. During the event Freefall Adventures/Skydive Cross Keys made a donation for every tandem as well as each video that was completed that day. The Staff was incredible just about turning the DZ over to the PBA so we could work on raising money for the charity. Marks Menu, the DZ Caf� donated a portion of its sales for the day and gave all the Special Olympics Athletes a free hotdog bag of chips and icy drink. Square 3 provided lots of giveaway items that were a huge hit for everyone. There were lots of athletes from the Special Olympics at the event and they were greeted with open arms from everyone at the DZ. When the event was done DZO John Eddows provided me a check for over $4,000.00, WOW! I would like to thank everyone at Cross Keys and the Special Olympics for allowing me to organize this even and we will be back at Cross Keys this year July 21, 2007 for the 2nd Annual C.U.F.F.S. Charity event.

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(Review ID:3694)

4 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

A great place, home for many years now

Rated by: Kelly on 2007-02-14 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures
Pros: The people there care about each other
Cons: The winter time, but at least there are several boogies hosted by xkeys in warmer locations

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I just read a review that I wrote about Freefall Adventures and Skydive Cross Keys when I first started jumping back in 2001 and it made me think about how much better this place has gotten. Those instructors who first taught me how to skydive continue to be some of my closest friends these six years later. Six years ago they did everything they could to help me, a new staff member working in the briefing room, finish AFP. Six seasons later they continue to do everything in their power to keep me current and safe.

John Eddows, the DZO, is absolutely, positively dedicated to maintaining a safe skydiving center. He empowers his staff and fun jumpers to take the initiative and improve safety and develop training regimens that enhance emergency operations. Over the past year I�ve gotten to have a quite a few meaningful conversations with John. I truly see his dedication and love for this place. He has invested his entire life to this place and it is evident in all that is Cross keys. When a DZO cares this much about his business, his fun jumpers, and more importantly, his students, everything radiates.

Since 2001 John has enabled and empowered me to use my long running connections and involvement with local EMS to keep Cross Keys and Freefall Adventures a safe and professional all inclusive skydiving center. John�s dedication is evident in all that he has given me to organize these events between the DZ and local EMS agencies. He�s given me financial support, his time, his airport, his aircraft, his drop zone, and anything else I need.

Skydive cross keys has it all, great facilities, caring, dedicated, and professional staff, fantastic fun jumpers, an awesome restaurant, and so much more. The abundance of aircraft, the full service rigging loft run by a rigger with 15,000+ skydives, the updated equipment, and the fantastically managed, stocked, and geared gear store all add to this already stellar place.

Wander in the rigging loft or the gear store any day of the week and you�ll find some of the most experienced skydivers in the North East and the country for that matter, ready and willing to have all out conversations on everything from humidity to hard pulls. Sit down with these folks and you�ll see quite quickly why they keep coming back year after year. When you come here you will share more than just a ten minute plane ride and the same airspace with us; you�ll share laughs and meals and drunken evenings and sometimes even a tear or two. No matter what is happening this place loves. This isn�t just an eclectic group of individuals; it�s an ever growing, ever welcoming family and we�re always looking for more folks to join us.

During the summer this place jams. Why else would Red Bull come here to break a world record for most number of tandem jumps done in one day? By the way, we set the record at 407. Come out during the week and you�ll find an otter full of regulars, willing and wanting to jump with you, lie immobile beside the pool, or trek around Philly. Whether it�s a promotional night in Philly, an Oscars party, a long escape to Florida or Puerto Rico, or a regular Sunday evening meal at my place, these folks who make up Cross Keys truly, genuinely, and honestly are the best of friends.

I�ve spent 18 months traveling around the country skydiving, rock climbing, and working but I�ve always found my way back here, back home. I love this place so much I�ve moved in next door. You�ll want to do the same, just don�t think you�ll get my apartment! :)

Once you come here you won�t want to leave. It�s the people, the staff and fun jumpers, in combination with the abundance of aircraft, organizers, student and rental gear, nearby cities, good eateries, and countless other things that will keep you coming back. We�ve been dealt some blows these past few seasons but no matter what�s happened the people out here have banded together and somehow come out of it even closer to each other and all that is Cross Keys.

Even if you don�t think my experiences can be your experiences come out here and be proven wrong. You�ll find me bouncing around out front or in the boarding area or the hangar with endless energy, probably greeting you before you step outside your car. I look forward to meeting you.

Rock on,

Kel

PS: email me with any questions about the dz; I�d be happy to give you honest answers. Kelly@realxstream.com

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(Review ID:3417)

8 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

Fun place to jump with plenty of AC to choose from

Rated by: Broke on 2006-09-21 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures
Pros: Fun fun fun
Cons: it is in Dirty Jersey

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What can I say about Cross Keys?

Once you get over the fact that you have to go to Jersey it is really a great Dropzone.

The staff members were chill from the manifesters to the packers.

I found this a very friendly place to jump. As an experianced jumper introduced himself to me, and made it so me and my 27 jumps didn't have to jump alone.

The selection of Aircraft is better than a lot of dropzones. When I was there they had 2 Twin Otters, a Skyvan, a King Air, a biplane, and a Chopper.

The coverd boarding area was a huge pluss.

This DZ seemed very safety conscious. The instructors gave me plenty of information as to where the good outs were and also stated their safety rules very clearly.

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(Review ID:3395)

2 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

Great place to Jump First Time, Local or Visitor

Rated by: tedesco_1 on 2006-09-12 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures
Pros: Frendly People Eager to meet new skydivers regardless of experience.
Cons: landing zone at the end of the airport

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I showed up as a visitor to jump. The people not just the staff were eager to help. I was rusty from a long lay-off. The office staff that was there the day I jumped was most helpful. Landing zone was good but tighter than I am used to. In case of bad spot look hard. The only bad thing I can say was it was really hot the day jumped there. If the temperature was in the 80's it may be the perfect place to jump.

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