Royan - Euro-Phenix-17

Went there in August and found a rather busy DZ. Got quickly briefed but to it was too late to jump.

Next day waiting for them to open at 9am, I am the first to get my ticket and my seat in plane. After the Porter took off for the fifth time without me, no explanation is given, just that there is too many tandems in the most unfriendly way despite me remaining cool and smiling. 6th then 7th Porter takes off without me. A bunch of angry skydivers from Paris are there too, yelling at the loadmaster who goes like this: "no one is retaining you here".

So I left, to Niort with a staff more than happy to have me buying tickets the whole afternoon in a jumping frenzy!

The DZ at Royan is perhaps ok for homies, but I will never go there again. I would suggest to go to Niort to every skydiver in the area.

Here is an update 2 years on from my first visit.

I travel each summer from the Uk for France for a month ans spend many days at the DZ. This is a very busy DZ but is VERY welcoming and friendly to both newbies and groups. I've done more than 100 jumps here including Beach Jumps and its a SUPERB DZ!

They run a Porter from dawn til dusk and fly in another Porter if very busy...

This was my fist DZ to visit since I complete AFF in Deland Florida. Its on the West Coast near Royan. Run by Joinville Francis, 22000 jumps who is the french team coach.

They run 2 Pilatus aircraft that get to 14000ft in 14 minutes. One runs all day long with the second brought out when it is very busy. DZ is very nice, great landing area...lots of outs and an easy clear pattern to follow depending which way the wind blows.

Being on the cost the views of the beach (5 miles away) is superb and very scenic. 2/3 full time packers operate there.

Manifest ran really well and they helped me out as my French is ok but not great. Lots of rigs for hire. Packers wokred very well and safety briefings and checks very thorough.

I will be back !

Jumped here for a week as was over for a wedding, Ju-Ju and Juliet were brilliant (really helpful, patient and friendly, despite my poor french!)
Davy and Fred were cool guys too and packed my reserve same day between his own tandem jumps. Meantime they lent me some kit. Watched Ju-Ju do about 20 jumps back to back and he was still keen to jump and teach my sorry ass! Really loved the place, will be back for the next boogie

Matt

I visited Airwaves in August 2001 to do my AFF. I had done up to AFF level 2 in South Africa that summer but had had to stop due to a sprained ankle. I was looking forward to continuing.

My first worry was the almost complete lack of briefing considering that my instructor didn't know me from Adam. I also felt that the general lack of organisation was not good. I was left without jumps for a couple of days - and not just because of the weather.

Rob Bartholomew (one of my instructors) annoyed a lot of people that week by slagging off people who did not turn up first thing in the morning (f***ing w**kers was the phrase) when those same people had been left with no information and no jumps for several days.

I also never got to see my video.

I was also concerned at the way the student rigs were left in a pile in the corner of the portercabin they used as a video-room. Despite only having the most basic previous experience, I was not given any help with my kit and had to rely on other jumpers to check me out. There were no packing slips on the rigs either.

I was charged the full rate for groundschool when all this consisted of was a five minute briefing. I also had hassle from them because they would only accept cash - who carries 450 pounds on them? My leg was in plaster by that time (don't ask!) and I was not in the mood for hunting for ATMs. I sent a letter of complaint to Airwaves but never received a reply. I also sent an email to the BPA seeing as it is BPA affiliated - again no reply.

Maybe things have been improved, or maybe he was having a bad week - I don't know. We all have our moments. But unfortunately this left a lasting impression.

alltogether it is a nice place with a good pilatus a vast hangar and packing area, nice staff and amazing vue from up there. the jump will cost you 22 euro and you will also have to pay a one time 20 euro to be able to jump there. the only bad thing are the toilets!!! but very friendly yet!!! when you need them!!!!

Agree with most of the review alongside - although the Porter is the only thing permanently at the DZ (they do have the Skyvan every so often, but not full time). France can be a great place to jump, but sometimes if you're not speaking the good French it can cause communication problems. Having the Airwaves school there helps a lot for non-Frenchies by smoothing the way from registration to jumping (although all the natives are extremely friendly), and it means you can do BPA qualifications in a country where they know how to cook. RW teachers were excellent, and freaks should watch out for Steve Blincoe who often pops up during the summer. There's world-class surf 60kms up the coast, a well-tended bunkhouse and campsite, and a surprisingly good bar/restaurant. But if flying there Ryanair - beware the excess luggage charges. They bite hot.

Royan is a lovely drop zone. Pilatus Porter planes and helicopters permanently I believe. Its got a decent packing shed, a cafe and a bar serving foods and beers etc throughout the day, the campsites sound and the people are friendly and willing to help you with whatever you need. Theres a shop for rigs and altimeters, hats tshirts blah blah. Its about 10 minutes drive from a big alfresco eating and drinking area overlooking the marina and beaches along the river. The beaches further round to the North West are pretty clean and a welcome change from a hot dropzone ! Nothing like a swim after a hard days falling.

I finished my AFF and consols a few days ago at Royan. As well as being a French DZ there is also an International school there called Airwaves - WWW.Airwaves.co.uk and they look after the Brits and the cloggies who come down and pass by. After a bad experience in Vannes it was pretty good to be greeted by good people who were clearly enthusiastic and motivated towards helping us become skydivers. Hats off to all involved. I would recommend this dropzone to any students who require either the French PAC or the AFF. Any questions I had were answered by my Airwaves instructor and I personally feel that they furnished me with the knowledge that i needed at any time in a dive or on the ground. The instruction I received from Airwaves and from some of the French instructors to me seemed clearly valuable and of top quality. I had no issues with bad kit or bad packing or waiting hours to be manifested or being 2nd classed for being a 'brit abroad', all involved were thoroughly professional from the directors to the 'manifest mc' and I thank them for carrying us through succesfully. Thanks very much.
If your a Brit and thinking of going down there speak to Rod Bartholemew of Airwaves, hes a top bloke, you'll be in good hands and I hope your chutes get packed and recieve the care they deserve from Andy. Nice one - see you again soon.