Kapowsin Air Sports

I hope I filled the score out right- I put all 5 meaning it is the every best. Kapowsin the is the best drop zone I have jumped at anywhere. The staff is very friendly, helpful, humble, happy, knowledgeable, skillful, professional, safe and can do , make it happen people. They are world class. The prices are very good. The planes are excellent and pilots too, the drop zone very big, soft and beautiful! This is in my opinion the best run drop zone in the United States and tied with Proszjov , Czech Republic for best in the world. But if you add beauty - the Puget Sound and Olympics and Cascades all around you as you jump- then it is the winner. Thank you Kapowsin family, God bless you, Dave, family and the Free Burma Rangers

This is THE DZ most Seattle area jumpers choose, for a few reasons:
+ good balance between tandems & sport jumpers
+ the best fleet in area (caravan + otter + 182)
+ huge LZ, so you can land a bit further if you don't like the traffic or you're not comfortable cross wind landing
+ nice indoor packing area
+ very inclusive, all disciplines welcome, including wingsuits
+ no canopy size restrictions
+ some of the best skydivers/ws pilots in the sport
+ chill atmosphere, no unnecessary, overly-restrictive rules
+ jumpers of all levels welcome
+ excellent AFF program
+ lots of real talent there (majority of the experienced Seattle jumpers jump there)
+ friendly to novice jumpers - regular belly coaching/load organizing for those fresh off AFF (big kudos for that!)
+ excellent canopy classes with some of the world's best skydivers
+ annual boogie (or two)
+ nice big screen for video debrief of your jumps
+ food onsite
+ nice gear store with everything you need

I came here on vacation and did 4 jumps. I didn't stay long enough to get to know many people but everyone seemed very nice. I can see potential to progress should one utilize this facility as their home DZ. Lots of wingsuiters which was good to see. World class talent here also. Well organized so lots of loads in a day is possible as long as the weather holds up. A bit of a drive from Seattle but worth it!

I have nothing to compare them to, this is the only DZ I've been to, but here is our experience:

My wife has MS and spends the day in a power chair, but when she was able, she was a bit of a daredevil. For her birthday, I called Kapowsin and asked if they could take her on a tandem. I explained her abilities and requirements, they said "No Problem! We'll take care of her!" They did just that. She went with one of the Red Bull Seattle Skydiver's! Since then, my son and I have been working on our AFF. We attended their recent Halloween party, quite the shindig! Now it's wet Washington winter, but whenever it's clear, we make the trek to Shelton!

I jumped at Skydive Kapowsin while in on a business trip. The people are super friendly and the vibe is great overall. People were helpful from my arrival and I immediately got on some 10 ways. The views from up top are beautiful and scenic! They are based out of a huge hanger. Lots of packing space and a huge landing area. There is an onsite ATM and a snack bar (cash only). Cheeto was organizing and I was welcomed to jump on some 10 ways. They have a huge, fully stocked beer fridge. I was a little surprised at how lax they were though. No calls for the loads, no 2 min warning. Manifesting was signing up on a piece of paper on a clipboard. No red light; just cut and go without checking the spot. Still, I would jump there again in heart beat and I really recommend it.

While visiting Washington State, I had the opportunity to jump at Kapowsin. Wow, once the clouds burned off, the skies were very clear all afternoon and evening making for fast turn-around between loads in their Caravan and Twin Otters. A very friendly staff, restaurant at the DZ, on-site massage therapist, huge indoor carpeted packing area, gargantuan landing area, riggers and packers available... I even got to do water training at the end of a jumping day on short notice. Oh, and $23 for 13.5 kicks butt. Thanks, Skydive Kapowsin, I'll jump again if I'm ever in the area. Highly recommended if you're in the Seattle/Olympia area.

I purchased a tandem dive online. I drove down from seattle but the dive was canceled due to clouds rolling in. I rescheduled. The second time I got the harness on and the wind picked up too high for me to jump.

Frustrated and down 50 bucks worth of gas I asked for my money back only to find THEY DON'T GIVE REFUNDS, for any reason, under any situation. I'd recommend somewhere with more reliable weather and management willing to indulge exceptions. My 2 cents.

I made two AFF jumps there when I was a student.The staff were very friendly,and extremely thorough.It was a great learning expierience.I have since gone elsewere,but I have returned several times.The DZ is a great place,and the people are very tallented.I would probably go there all the time, but I've made some good friends at another dropzone.You can't beet the facility,planes at Kapowsin. I hope to jump there again soon.

Over at Sanderson Airfield in Shelton, WA Kapowsin Air Sports / Skydive Kapowsin delivers! There are great facilities and outstanding staff! The only somewhat of a Bummer is the rain (but being a Native Washingtonian we are used to these things) and even so there a PLENTY of knowledgeable folks there and plenty of good times to be had in the Hanger (in case of rain delay). Family owned and operated. If you are not from their family they will welcome you like family anyways.

1-800-SKY-DIVE

I did my first tandem jump here and it was a great experience! It seemed like there were a ton of people there, but the people at Kapowsin really kept it flowing. There was always an airplane zipping up to the hanger and loading up so people could jump pretty quickly without a long wait. It seemed like there were people spread out all over the packing area, but again, it seemed to work well and everyone had enough space so no complaints. Everyone there seemed really friendly and happy. The "class" before my tandem jump was REALLY quick and simple yet informative. The instructor and my videographer were really nice and seemed like they really wanted me to have fun, which I did! My only negative comment is when I e-mailed Kapowsin before I made reservations there, I got very short, bare minimum responses back. I do understand that they are busy, but I have also e-mailed 2 other drop zones and they have been much more helpful and friendly in their responses. My thought is, if I *had* been on the fence about jumping at Kapowsin, had I received their short responses I would not have been influenced to jump there because I felt like they didn't really care if I choose to jump there or not. Regardless, the experience of jumping there rocked and I would absolutely recommend Kapowsin Air Sports to all my friends. They were professional and fun and the view was great! I will jump again there for sure!

Everything is new and wonderful at this location the scenery is wonderful and all the people are wonderful. Great facility! The view is awesome and the people are knowledgeable.

Stopped while on vacation and was blown away with a great experience. Check in was quick & easy with the nicest DZO I have ever met. There twin otter got us up fast, the landing area is large, big indoor packing, and the view from the air is amazing. Most of all the jumpers and staff were super cool and real friendly. I was there 5 minutes and already on load 2 doing a 3-way freefly.

Phenominal staff. Can't say enough about the professionalism and competence these people possess. Geoff, Jessie, Keri, Andy, Carina, Jeff, Luke, Bryan, Dave Kaiser, JT (and anyone else I missed that makes a cameo appearance on occassion to help out) are definitely at the top tier of the skydiving industry. Jessie runs a tight ship, no doubt about it. She may come off as a bit brash and abraisive to some that don't know what she's about, but that's why she's the Northwest Regional Director, and safety is certainly her top priority. God love her for that. They've been running their operation out of Shelton for a while now at Sanderson field and the new hangar is definitely the "duck's nuts" (that's a good thing). I've seen these guys execute numerous tandems with stellar performance. Everyone comes down with a smile on their faces and many of them have come back for more. I like to go out there on occasion even if I'm not jumping that day, just to park on the sidelines and watch the festivities (Andy and Luke do some of SICKEST swoops imaginable on those XAOS-27 "pillow cases" they call canopies). Being a Florida native, I'm used to having decent jumping weather most of the year round, but for those that aren't familiar with this part of the country and plan on coming up this way, my suggestion is to gear your skydiving vacation in the summer months. You will be privy to some of the most beautiful weather you've ever seen in your life, not to mention an incredible view of Mt. Rainier at 14 grand. Nothing but MAD LOVE for crew out at Kapowsin Air Sports!

Kapowsin has moved to the new location in Shelton, WA. The landing area is enormous and the new hanger is very large. This is a fresh dropzone location only, Skydive Kapowsin has 30 years in the skydive business in the great northwest. The climb to altitude has a great view of Mt. St Helens, The Olympic Mountain Range, Mt. Rainier and The South Sound. The staff is very friendly and experienced. They have world champion skydivers on staff and bring in other professionals to organize and coach occasionally. This drop zone will grow tremendously in the next few years. I recommend it to anyone interested in skydiving or just passing through and want to make a jump.

The Farringtons are a great family, and they are super safety conscious. They have a great safety day in the spring, and as another review pointed out, Jessie will have words for you if YOU are not making safety a priority. They've got an Otter, and they host advanced training. They also host great events at the end of the day. The views during jumps at KAS are spectacular. Their legal issues are unfortunate, and their location on Meridian avenue in Puyallup makes things a pain in the butt.

I went to Kapowsin with a buddy to do a tandem jump and upon arriving at 10AM heard about the AFF class so we signed up for that.

We went throught the 5 hours of instruction, no complaints, the instructors tried to make it as painless as possible. My hat goes off to the two Toms who did a good job of explaining things. This is the only reason professionalism and vibe got two stars.

However, when we got the thumbs up to go at 3PM my buddy and I waited for 3 and a half hours while group after group of tandem jumpers who arrived after us went before us. With the lame explanation that they didn't have enough instructors to do two AFFs at the same time. Seems to me if you take up 4 tandem jumpers who are each lashed to an instructor and there are two instructors required per AFF then indeed you did have enough. On the whole this made an experience that I was looking forward to for years a most unpleasant one.

I'll take my business elsewhere and definitely never refer my friends to Kapowsin.

I jumped this DZ for the first time yesterday on a trip out to see my brother. The people at the DZ are awesome. I did my 100th jump with them and the DZO's organized a 5 way and a free pics/video. Great people, great plane, Great times!

I went to the dropzone. Didn't know what to expect and was pleastantly surprised at what I saw. The folks were very nice. The scenery was beatiful. The jumpers and staff were fantastic. The dropzone is very kid friendly/family friendly. We plan on visiting again.
Thanks guys.

I took an Aff class with the best instruction I could get. Now they are my family. I couldnt live without this place. Everyone that is there is totally helpful knowledgeable and fun. When the weather is Bad expect Andy to be flying his powered parachute with remote controlled xaos 30 something square foot parachute or paintball or softball(sponsored team) or Margarita night. After jumpin of course on Sundays. I love these people.

i love jumping at kapowsin the staff is very freindly and helpful. the grounds are always clean the grass is mowed indoor and outdoor packing areas. poeple there are awsome they give advice and don't look down upon you if your a newbie. they have about everthing that you would need in there little gear store like gogles and altimeters,, batts, etc,etc, heck even if you need a new container or rig repair you walk up a flight of stairs to Velocity. the planes are clean and well kept the otter just had some new super engines put on it and it will get you to altitude in a hurry. lots of flying styles RW, FF, CRW, birdman, Swooping (they even have a pond) whatever your style is there is someone there to jump with. if you want to do a big way show up and be ready to go find Cheeto he will have one going most all day long, on the warm clear blue days you can not do any better than to be at Kapowsin Air Sports. but beware if you do something wrong such as landing not flying a pattern or just something stupid then be prepared for Jessie or Keri or any of the rest of the staff to voice their opionion on it but dont be offended and listen to what they say they are only doing it cause they care about the jumpers there and don't like to see anyone hurt. other than that jump have fun and enjoy.

I love this DZ! It's got to be one of the most beautiful places anyone could ever jump!!! The grounds are always clean, the loft is excellent with two video rooms. I always feel welcome. Weather you like fun jumping, quality RW or CRW you'll have your needs met.

Also headquarters for Diamond Quest CRW.

You won't be disappointed!

docrw