Dec 11, 2002, 2:02 PM
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How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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Approximatly $6063 up to $7737 plus when purchasing a complete new gear setup.
I have overheared other skydivers telling tandem passengers "Well it's only $75 for the ground school, and $175 for your first 3 levels of AFF, and then just $150 for your last 4 jumps, then after you complete AFF your jumps will only cost you between $16-$20.
Unfortunatly most potential skydivers never do the multiplication in this equation, get started and then stop or quit due to a lack of funds.
When someone asks you how much does skydiving cost tell them that it is EXPENSIVE!
I have done the following break down:
Instructed skydiving lessons: $1000-$2000 depending on the method being trained(S/L, AFF, IAD, TM progression).
After they have completed training cost of jumps are between $8-$20.
Gear rental is usually $20-$25 dollars if you choose to go this route.
Used airworthy gear without a cypres $1500-$2200.
Used airworthy gear with a cypres $2000-$3500
New container (Javelin Odyssey with a 25% discount and no options) $1237.50 or $1522.20 with rings K/L pc. New reserve (Rave Dash M with 25% discount) $793.50 New main (Nitron with 25% discount) $1350 Cypres $850 to $1150 depending on where you purchase from and the German exchange rate.
The above items are the things that you need to complete a skydive ater you have made your 20 jumps.
Then there are the optional accessories!!!!!!!!!!!
Hard shell helmet $39.50-$325 Audible alt. $171-$291 Gloves $15-$45 Gear bag $65-$150 Helmet bag $35-$60 Log book $6.95 Log book cover $12.95-15 Other than a RW suit $100-$300 Hook knife $6-$30 Flotation gear $2.95-$165
Yes it does add up.
Blue Ones, Chris Welker
(This post was edited by chriswelker on Dec 11, 2002, 2:04 PM)
Dec 11, 2002, 2:21 PM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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Yes it does add up.
I have spent more than 11k since July 14th on my skydiving habit. This includes my initial Tandem jump, AFF training (I had to repeat my Level V jump), another 29 jumps using rental gear, 48 jumps using my own gear, my rig (cypres equiped), a 2nd Sabre 2 main complete with it's own risers PC and dbag (which I haven't jumped yet), one chest mount, one wrist mount altimeter, Pro Track, Bonehead Boomerang Helmet, one RW jumpsuit, one freefly jumpsuit (haven't taken deliver yet) and various skydiving books and videos.
Yes it does add up.
(This post was edited by CanuckInUSA on Dec 11, 2002, 5:02 PM)
Dec 11, 2002, 3:02 PM
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Re: [quade] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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I have an idea how much it's cost me, and I even have an account in Quicken where the gear, jumps, and gas to the DZ's go.
I'll tell y'all something else: I don't have the nerve to hit the button that runs a total. The exact number lives in fuzzy obscurity while the rest of me enjoys the world's most rewarding and best sport with the coolest people.
One piece of advice: buy good used gear whenever possible as long as you can verify its airworthiness. You can save $1,000s over time and still be safe, although not necessarily color-coordinated.
Dec 11, 2002, 3:03 PM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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I can add (barely). I knew by the time I started AFF what kind of financial committment I was making. I did it anyway.
I don't think anyone is blindsided. It's not like students are presented a bill for $10,000 six months after their first jump (unless they put everything on a credit card).
Dec 11, 2002, 5:00 PM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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I started to add up the costs at one point in time. I have 47 jumps and chose the AFF route (with 1 tandem thrown in for fun) and bought new gear. I stopped adding up the money. Yeah...the sport is expensive. But, it is fun and worth every penny that I spend. I can't take the money with me when I'm gone....so why not play now and live life to it's fullest? Money can be replaced...people can not. And, I have met some of the coolest people since I've started skydiving. Would I give up jumping to have more money in the bank? No. Would I spend more money to jump (if I had it)? Yes.
Dec 11, 2002, 5:10 PM
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Re: [ladyskydiver] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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Not much if you have the right assests.
I went tandem progression and with the promise that my last tandem jump would be topless, I only ever paid for beer and slots (of course I knew the people at the DZ beforehand).
My boyfriend was my instructor for all of my other jumps so once again, just slots were paid. And since he is now a wonderful camerman with incoming cash he usually pays for all of the jumps that I make now. I love this arrangement!
Dec 11, 2002, 7:14 PM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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Yes it is expensive to start! Although I bought my first rig on my 12th jump and never regretted that move! I sold that same rig after about 100 jumps for the same that I bought it for, it now costs me $15.00 a jump although I buy 200 at a time instead of $18.00 per jump! cool Conway 1085
(This post was edited by jumperconway on Dec 11, 2002, 7:20 PM)
Dec 11, 2002, 7:54 PM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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It sure as hell ain't cheap. But there are ways to make it cheaper...ie: pack student gear. By the end of my first season I could flat pack a Manta with my eyes closed. And one good thing about living up north, is that the off-season gives an opportunity to save $ for things you need for next season: New Cypres, canopy, line-set, car or maybe just a plane ticket south
Dec 12, 2002, 6:06 AM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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In just jump tickets it comes to around 1,000/hr.
It can be less (Mullins Boggie till ya pukes) or more (SDC for 20.00 a jump).
I have over 40 hrs of freefall, 2 rigs, a camera setup, and somewhere around 50 hrs in tunnels. (some of that is Ft.Bragg and was "Free", some more is coaching).
I don't really want to figure it out.
Its a lot. But I live on the DZ in a trailer and don't regret it.
Dec 12, 2002, 6:23 AM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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I usually tell people that it's more expensive than cross country skiing and less expensive than drag racing. But over the 24 years, between instructing and rigging I figure I've broken just about even. Not instructing anymore so costs have went up. If you're willing to give something back to the sport you can cut the costs considerably. And I haven't packed a student rig since we got rid of T-10's.
Dec 12, 2002, 7:42 AM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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If my parents knew how much Im spending at the DZ, Im sure they would be reconsidering paying for my college....
quade (D 22635)
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Dec 12, 2002, 9:27 AM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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Quote:
I think people should know exactly what they are getting into.
Ok, I was just kinda joking in my previous post, but . . . if that's the case and in the interest of full disclosure, what else should we tell a student walking on the DZ for the first time about the sport?
Hook turns? Drugs? STDs? Broken homes? Living in a van down by the river?
When it comes to talking to people about the full impact skydiving -could- have on their lives, I think the financials are probably the -least- important thing to be worrying about.
Dec 12, 2002, 3:45 PM
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When I was on AFF an instructor told me that he had spend about 20K before making any money. It's about right if you wait until 500 jumps for camera and don't pack for money.
Dec 12, 2002, 5:31 PM
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Re: [chriswelker] How much does it REALLY cost to SKYDIVE?
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Ya know Chris, I know you and I think your heart is in the right place but if someone had told me 2 years ago I would drop 10-20k to skydive i would have balked and maybe backed out. While they didnt try to hide the fact that it takes a chuck of money, they described it in terms that didnt hit so close to home. eg. youll start selling off your other toys, stop having other hobbies, and your friends will want to know why you never come around anymore. Yea we as skydivers should prepare students for the expense, but if someone really loves the sport, they will find a way. I did. Sold my jeep, my harley, and horse. Hell I bought that Nitro 120 with money left over from my house sale when I moved closer to the DZ!
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