Sockpuppet 0 #1 August 16, 2006 So, how much is this skydiving malarky going to run me. I've done a few tandems and loved them. Now I have a nicer job I can afford to look at doing this as a full time hobby. I remember a post by lawrocket that he wouldnt recommend skydiving to some mates as they couldnt afford to be current. My question is how many dives should "i aim" to make per month. I think one will keep me "current" but not really that safe if you are only managing one per month. Dont want to do AFF to find that i cant jump more than 2 times a month. Mainly becuase I am poving out of the rent free place I call my parents and getting my own house and I dont want to have to spend so much on that that I have no money to live in the mean time. Its all about budgets people! UK based prices please. Dont worry about Kit as my service in the reserve forces gives me ~£2000 ($4000) a year purely for play items which will cover that/AFF course. Might even cover some jumps with sensible purchasing decisisons. Cheers Richard ------ Two of the three voices in my head agree with you. It might actually be unanimous but voice three only speaks Welsh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #2 August 16, 2006 any thing from bugger all to your soul, but mostly likely somewhere in between start up costs run about $5KYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #3 August 16, 2006 I have no idea what skydiving costs in the UK, i know it is probably a little more than the rest of the world though. I think, and i'm sure that there will be many differing opinions here, that if you can do 100 jumps in your first year, you're doing ok. I used to do 10 jumps a month, skydiving the first and third weekend of every month, imo, that's the bare minimum you can do to retain any reasonable learning curve. Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gus 1 #4 August 16, 2006 You'll be very lucky if that £2000 covers AFF and kit. A new rig will set you back more than £3000. AFF in the UK must be about £1500. Once you're qualified jumps are around £20 each. I would not consider one a month to be current, you should be looking at 50 a year as a minimum. And if you really fall in love with the sport one a month will not be enough anyway . GusOutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #5 August 16, 2006 "Abandon hope all ye who enter here..." It will cost everything you have, and it will never be enough. I find 200 dives a year maintains your skill level, more than 200 will expand it. 100 a year will probably keep you safe. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sockpuppet 0 #6 August 16, 2006 QuoteYou'll be very lucky if that £2000 covers AFF and kit. A new rig will set you back more than £3000. AFF in the UK must be about £1500. Once you're qualified jumps are around £20 each. I would not consider one a month to be current, you should be looking at 50 a year as a minimum. And if you really fall in love with the sport one a month will not be enough anyway . Gus Thanks for the replies guys. So I'm looking at around £4000 a year not inc gear. The reservist thing is quite nice. It provides me with ~$400 a month income (and takes 2 weekends off me) plus spare I have from my normal job. I think we may be onto a winner. Should I just skip a lot of years of hassle and move into a trailer at DZ now instead of buying this new house ------ Two of the three voices in my head agree with you. It might actually be unanimous but voice three only speaks Welsh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joellercoaster 6 #7 August 16, 2006 Well, more like £2000 a year not inc gear, after your initial setup cost (which is huge). 100 jumps a year in the UK can actually be hard to achieve for the casual jumper, or even the weekend regular at a small DZ. So speaks the voice of experience -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #8 August 16, 2006 Quote... Mainly becuase I am poving out of the rent free place I call my parents and getting my own house and I dont want to have to spend so much on that that I have no money to live in the mean time. Its all about budgets people! First, find an importer for Ramen noodles. Then jump ~200 per year (no idea what UK jump prices translate to in dollars). That should do it.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dharma1976 0 #9 August 16, 2006 I sold a lot of stuff on ebay and ate a lot of tortillas and cheese to get into the sport now it is not as expensive as I fly random camera slots and make money on the weekends packing and stuff Cheers Davehttp://www.skyjunky.com CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katherine 0 #10 August 16, 2006 Hi AFF in the Uk - £1250+ RAPS - £165 to £185 ish for a FJC then £36ish for each jump after that. Once qualified - around £20 a ticket. Need to buy - helmet - alti - jump suit - goggles - gloves New rig - £3000ish 2nd hand rig, varys a lot, £1800-£2300 for a decent one. The best way to see how much training is going to cost you is to look at the DZ websites and see their exact prices. The helmet etc costs can be quite cheep if you buy 2nd hand. Good luck.Leeds University Skydiving Club www.skydiveleeds.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
za_skydiver 0 #11 August 16, 2006 They talked about cost a while ago on Skydive Radio, and basically what they reckon is half your paycheck for the rest of your life. But fear not, i think i can hoestly say that i have not wasted one penny on skydiving. Every penny i spent was money well spent, even the dives that went to s*it. Im sure there are a few skydivers out there that will tell you the same Blue Skies!Some dream of flying, i live the dream... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DustyP 0 #12 August 16, 2006 I'm makin it work, I'm broke, As shit! Around $2,400 to get through AFF level 20. I figure. That's w/out buying a Rig, about $2,500-5,500 more for a Rig, maybe higher, maybe less it all depends on who your resources are. Some DZ'z have rigs you can rent for about $45-50 per day. You still have to buy jump tickets. good luck..me too! DustyP. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #13 August 16, 2006 Since I graduated I have been picking up hobbies (motorcycling, rock climbing, and now skydiving). To afford these hobbies I don't do anything but work and hobbies. Some helpful food tips (has saved me alot): I eat bulk cereal for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with fruit for lunch, and ramen noodles, saltine crackers, and rice (mixed together) with a bowl of vegetables for dinner. (I don't choose flavors or brands, whatever is on sale.) Some people can't eat the same thing day in and day out (and some people say you shouldn't) so feel free to swtich it up once in a while if you need or have to. I don't question how much I spend on my hobbies but what my life would be like without my hobbies. I don't want to work all day, go home and cook dinner, sit down and watch television, and then go to bed (might as well be dead already)."That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #14 August 16, 2006 A guy at the dropzone had a T-shirt that read.. "I spent most of my money on skydiving and beer. the rest I just wasted" I think this is a true and accurate statement! Don't worry about the cost, once you get ataste you will find the money, just like a junky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flefly 0 #15 August 16, 2006 i reckon i've blown about £15,000 in 4 years. 406 jumps Rig trip to Eloy camera helmet canon 350 pc109 sony vaio High class hookers...oops if i didn't have 4 kids, it would be twice that !! oh well, you can't take it with ya !"Message from the dark side, there is" Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildfan75 1 #16 August 16, 2006 Quote Should I just skip a lot of years of hassle and move into a trailer at DZ now instead of buying this new house There it is!!! The wisdom that I wish I had three years ago. Of course if I knew three years ago that I would be driving 2 hours each way every weekend to my dz I would have never bought the freakin' house. But owning a house isn't all that bad. Just think, in two or three years, when your well has gone dry, you'll have equity to steal from!!! Home For Sale: Twin Cities, Great Location! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #17 August 16, 2006 Hi Puppet QuoteThe reservist thing is quite nice. It provides me with ~$400 a month income (and takes 2 weekends off me) plus spare I have from my normal job. QuoteHow much time you got left to serve with the reserves? 2 weekends a month for $400 might not be worth the time you'll be away from the DZ. Not sure about england but you might be able to make that much $$$ packing on the DZ in 1 weekend/month. Or you could try for a boy toy job. /reply] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Sockpuppet 0 #18 August 16, 2006 Quote Hi Puppet QuoteHow much time you got left to serve with the reserves? 2 weekends a month for $400 might not be worth the time you'll be away from the DZ. Not sure about england but you might be able to make that much $$$ packing on the DZ in 1 weekend/month. Or you could try for a boy toy job. /reply] Hmm.. I can "leave" the reservists anytime I like. Its a voluntary thing I just get paid for my time. Apart from being immense fun and a service to the general public (my unit trains for terrorist strikes/natural disasters) it could stop sky diving taking over my life. That and I can jump at netherevan (spelling?) in the UK and try and wing it as "training" so I could get paid to jump :D ------ Two of the three voices in my head agree with you. It might actually be unanimous but voice three only speaks Welsh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pincheck 0 #19 August 16, 2006 ooooooooooh i can so relate to that bloody kids just get in the way Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Sockpuppet 0 #20 August 17, 2006 oooo... found out the second closest DZ to me (weston) runs AFF for £1200 (usual £1350) and tickets to 13000' for £13 (usual £19) becuase I am military (reservist) Kit hire is also half price. I think I am in love. Although I could go to perris and do it for £800 becuase of the strength of the pound. ------ Two of the three voices in my head agree with you. It might actually be unanimous but voice three only speaks Welsh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pincheck 0 #21 August 17, 2006 If you want to but gear wait till you know you will be in this for some time. Its a shit pile off money most people buy seond hand so it depend on what you want. where you want to end up size wise. Over all you are cheaper buying in the states for new, depends on currency exchange rates but you would pay about £1800-£2200 currency dependant for complete rig container/main off choice/reserve(AAD not included) Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohanW 0 #22 August 18, 2006 Or come to Holland and pay €1250. Or go to Belgium, and pay €1050. No, I don't know if BPA like our licenses, and people might practice their English on you Johan. I am. I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
Sockpuppet 0 #18 August 16, 2006 Quote Hi Puppet QuoteHow much time you got left to serve with the reserves? 2 weekends a month for $400 might not be worth the time you'll be away from the DZ. Not sure about england but you might be able to make that much $$$ packing on the DZ in 1 weekend/month. Or you could try for a boy toy job. /reply] Hmm.. I can "leave" the reservists anytime I like. Its a voluntary thing I just get paid for my time. Apart from being immense fun and a service to the general public (my unit trains for terrorist strikes/natural disasters) it could stop sky diving taking over my life. That and I can jump at netherevan (spelling?) in the UK and try and wing it as "training" so I could get paid to jump :D ------ Two of the three voices in my head agree with you. It might actually be unanimous but voice three only speaks Welsh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pincheck 0 #19 August 16, 2006 ooooooooooh i can so relate to that bloody kids just get in the way Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Sockpuppet 0 #20 August 17, 2006 oooo... found out the second closest DZ to me (weston) runs AFF for £1200 (usual £1350) and tickets to 13000' for £13 (usual £19) becuase I am military (reservist) Kit hire is also half price. I think I am in love. Although I could go to perris and do it for £800 becuase of the strength of the pound. ------ Two of the three voices in my head agree with you. It might actually be unanimous but voice three only speaks Welsh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pincheck 0 #21 August 17, 2006 If you want to but gear wait till you know you will be in this for some time. Its a shit pile off money most people buy seond hand so it depend on what you want. where you want to end up size wise. Over all you are cheaper buying in the states for new, depends on currency exchange rates but you would pay about £1800-£2200 currency dependant for complete rig container/main off choice/reserve(AAD not included) Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohanW 0 #22 August 18, 2006 Or come to Holland and pay €1250. Or go to Belgium, and pay €1050. No, I don't know if BPA like our licenses, and people might practice their English on you Johan. I am. I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
pincheck 0 #19 August 16, 2006 ooooooooooh i can so relate to that bloody kids just get in the way Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sockpuppet 0 #20 August 17, 2006 oooo... found out the second closest DZ to me (weston) runs AFF for £1200 (usual £1350) and tickets to 13000' for £13 (usual £19) becuase I am military (reservist) Kit hire is also half price. I think I am in love. Although I could go to perris and do it for £800 becuase of the strength of the pound. ------ Two of the three voices in my head agree with you. It might actually be unanimous but voice three only speaks Welsh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pincheck 0 #21 August 17, 2006 If you want to but gear wait till you know you will be in this for some time. Its a shit pile off money most people buy seond hand so it depend on what you want. where you want to end up size wise. Over all you are cheaper buying in the states for new, depends on currency exchange rates but you would pay about £1800-£2200 currency dependant for complete rig container/main off choice/reserve(AAD not included) Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohanW 0 #22 August 18, 2006 Or come to Holland and pay €1250. Or go to Belgium, and pay €1050. No, I don't know if BPA like our licenses, and people might practice their English on you Johan. I am. I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
