Dominican Republic Air Force Boogie - Anyone been there?

[no7rosman 0]

Has anyone been to or heard about this boogie? Some friends and I are going this year and haven't talked to anyone who has been there. I would like to hear some input.

Thanks

[skydivinmartin 0]

I have never attended the boogie, but I have spoken with some guys that attended two years ago. The accomodations (Air Force barracks) were not good - lots of problems with the bathroom, people had to go get hotel rooms. Not much jumping either, maybe 10 to 12 in one week. Anyway, this is what I heard. You get what you pay for? Perhaps they have made improvements in organization since.

Martin

[no7rosman 0]

Thanks for the reply...I sure hope they have made changes. The advertise two CASA's and they only allow 55 people to attend. If I only get 10-12 jumps I will be very upset. I am going to send that guy an email now to see what up!!

Thanks
Ross

[Samurai136 0]

There was an article in parachutist or Skydiving about the boogie. I thought about going but figured between registration fee and a plane ticket to Santo domingo International I'd be spending about 1000$.

Just to break even, you'd have to make at least 50 jumps or more. I don't think they reported that many jumps. It sounds sweet, free CASA jumps! but I figured it was a loser proposition. Who really wants to goto the dominican republic anyway?

Fly over the AIDS infested slums? Better check the spot!

Ken

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[SkymonkeyONE 3]

On the contrary, my brother! I have had some fantastic times in the Dominican Republic and have spent an awfull lot of time on the base where they hold the boogie.

The last time I was there was in 1998. They hold the boogie during the "Dias de Independencia" and technically, the skydiving is free. What you pay the person who advertises yearly is entirely his fee. There are some outstanding beaches less than 20 minutes in a slow car from the base which are generally covered in European tourists. Yes, it's a third-world country, but I don't think I have ever been to a place where so many people carried cell phones. Prices are dirt cheap on everything one would want to buy, plus there are some very high-class hotels downtown if you can't hang with the austerity of the Special Forces barracks where they lodge most participants. Hey, I don't have ANY problem with free lodging, plus I never complained about the chow I was fed when I was working as an instructor in the Dominican Military Academy just outside the gate of San Isidro.

While not a good choice for a "panty waist", it's an outstanding time for the adventurer/skydiver on a budget. It must also be noted that there are US Airforce "milk runs" into Santo Domingo and San Isidro Air Base every week which US military ID card holders can get on for free from most major MAC terminals.

Bottom line here is that I have personally reaped the benefit of MANY free skydives in the DR and really like the country. There are some really, really neat places to party in Santo Domingo and at the beaches. Anyone who makes it must absolutely take a trip into town for a night of partying at "La Guacara Taina".

Chuck

[no7rosman 0]

Hey...thanks for the good information. The guy emailed me today and said their last boogie, most people did 16 jumps (the whole week) and the fast packers did 25. For 6 days Do you know if they are jumping funky rigs that take a long time to pack or something?

How about the Hueys? He said they have two that may be flying. I am not prissy and the accomodations will be fine I think. It looks as if the the base is in the jungle. Is that right? Real honestly I am not real excited to pay 1000 for 25 jumps. I have bought my tickets so I am kind of commited. Your post is uplifting...I just cannot go with the thought of cranking jumps.

Thanks

[narcimund 0]

I'm just about to buy into this as well. I'm less concerned about the number of jumps, however. I'm going to the islands in February for vacation anyway, and this sounds like a kick in the pants.

I have no intention of using their barracks or military meals either. Who needs that? In the middle of tropical fruit and fresh tropical seafood heaven I'm not eating Dominican MREs!

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[SkymonkeyONE 3]

Last time I was there, you could jump as quick as you pack. The CASAs are a fairly new addition to the flightline. It used to be they only jumped the Hueys. Anyway, all the jumps are on the San Isidro airfield which is very large. Anyone who has ever been to the carribean will recognize the architecture. Lots of stone and cinder block buildings. As for the meals: no, they are not "dominican MRE's", but it is a military messhall, so don't be surprised. For the most part, you are fed "plato tipico" type fare.

No, the base in not in a jungle. It's pretty flat around Santo Domingo, but there are some huge trees, making it feel very tropical. The base is very near the beach and the international airport. Santo Domingo is a straight shot out the front gate of the base with the middle of downtown being about ten to 15 (traffic dependant) minutes by car.

If you are staying downtown, make sure it's at one of the big hotel/casino's on "the Malecon". That's the road that runs along the shoreline downtown; it's beautiful and there are some VERY upscale digs for people accustomed to that.

Chuck

[narcimund 0]

Why are you recommending the malecon hotels? I'm definitely not a resort kind of traveler.

Time for a run to Lonely Planet.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[SkymonkeyONE 3]

Narcimund, there are all-inclusives there, but for the most part there are just nice hotels there with a great view of the ocean. There are hotels just as nice on at least three of the streets that go perpendicular from the Malecon. I can't for the life of me remember the names of any of them, but the one I usually stayed in was straight across the street from the Wendy's restaurant and right next to the University, across from the national theater. Those would be my choices if I chose to stay downtown, but if you wanted to stay at the beach you have hundreds more options and like I said earlier, it's only 10-15 minutes to the beach.

Chuck

[narcimund 0]

Well, I sent off my registration fee!

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[no7rosman 0]

A little more info about accomodations.

The guy said all people attending the boogie are treated like officers. Sleep in officers barraks, food, etc.

It sounds like the low jump numbers were before the CASA's. He said there were people making 8 jumps per day. I can handle that.

[narcimund 0]

Well, got my tickets for Mexico. Next step is to get travel arranged from there to and from the islands I'm visiting.

I was thinking I'd skip the whole barracks/mess arrangements and just go find a nice cheap hotel somewhere but my ex-USM boyfriend says I should consider living the experience for a while. Hell, it's vacation, isn't it? I'll give it a try.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[SkymonkeyONE 3]

Another benefit of staying on base is getting to know the Special Forces guys that live, work, and jump there. To me, it's all about making connections and having them show you around to their favorite haunts. On another note, the Presidente beer their rules.

Chuck