Tea

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  1. http://2media.nowpublic.net/images//e8/10/e8106b70058ce44e88d6f84b44a5257b.jpg
  2. I've only done one jump, so count this review however you wish. First impressions of the site had me a bit worried. Superficially, it's not the prettiest of places BUT it has everything you might need: Canteen, huge bloody plane, rigs, grass runway - errm, a friendly cat. So anyway, I was trained for my AFF L1 by a man who clearly knows his stuff. This experience brought with it a bit of an ego but I'd prefer to be trained by a supremely confident person when my life is in their hands. I left the AFF Groundschool ready for anything. The morning of the jump came, but not before several weeks had passed. I had been ill and I live in London (This DZ is nowhere near London!). Terrified, I had my preflight briefing and morning training with the chief instructor of the DZ. He was less than impressed with how badly I had retained the information and how my nerves were interfering with what I had learned, and he made no attempt to hide this fact. We drilled, drilled and drilled again until he was satisfied. Some might have called his demeanour rude and intimidating but you never know, his honesty and kick-up-the-backside attitude might have saved my life. I hope every beginner who can't recite every aspect of their training to the letter receives the same treatment - it really drives home the importance of everything. I was on the first lift of the day with a bunch of tandems, a regular skydiver, a recently qualified and two other AFF (Consol 6 and L4) students. I was terrified. However, one of the instructors was chatty and pretty much said that what I was feeling was normal. The jump went well. One of my fellow AFF student had to help me with my rig in the absence of any staff. I had to wait quite a while for my debrief as well, but this is understandable as the weather was closing in and the DZ had to do a few more loads (they are a business after all). Debrief went well, and was very honest. I had some weaknesses, but I passed my L1. I will be back for sure in the new year. Don't be put off by the apparent egos, attitudes, etc. These people are literally dealing with life, death and rank amateurs (like myself). What matters is the quality of the training (excellent), the facilities (good), the experience (life changing) and the feedback (honest, thorough, relevant).