johnnycab

IMHO, a very good site for data relating to weather: www.wunderground.com - It is a bit cluttered; however, it is an extremely valuable resource, for anything relating to weather e.g. the following link gives you the historical data for Girona in August last year. http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/LEGE/2005/8/22/MonthlyHistory.html

Richard, I was not aware she is such famous character. However, I am sure she is an ok person (she is a Skydiver afterall!) probably a bad day as BannanaGirl mentioned. I wanted to record my thoughts on the thread, so I can look back one day and laugh at the banality of it all. I want to join this sport to be free, and not get sucked into politics, specially before I have even started. I will send you a PM.

That made me laugh - which is quite hard these days ;--) I did decide, picked up the phone and booked myself on a weekend S/L course at Headcorn - purely due to the convenience of getting there without a car... However, I must add that the person on the other end; 'Jane' - has to be the most grumpiest person I have spoken to in a while, taking into consideration that it can be a life changing event for someone getting into one of the most exciting sports on the planet. She sounds like someone doing Skydiving as a business, and not really enjoying it as a sport. The conversation lasted no more than 3-4 minutes to book the course, as I was already aware of all the options. She did not offer any information whatsoever or even attempted to be helpful...shameful behaviour! It sounded like I was ordering a takeaway - where I am supposed to know what I want and not allowed to ask any questions! If it was not for this forum, and your support - I would have hung up and put this down as a 'maybe' for another day...not really a credit to the community. However, I do not want this to be a negative experience and want to concentrate on jumping - here is hoping that everything else goes smoothly :---))

I rang Headcorn today to find out about the S/L course, and it seems they are fully booked for all midweek sessions until end of August. I will go through the list of all other DZ's mentioned in this thread. I am travelling from SW16 and without a car at present - although shopping around for a one (just to get me to a DZ!) However, it seems a lot easier by train and then paying a local cabbie a fiver to get to Headcorn. So, I can be there in just over an hour and a half! I don't know about the others...

I think AFF will suit my personality, and the experience it provides is what I am after too. However, money is too short to mention at present - normally I would not even hesitate! Nevertheless, I will most probably still go for AFF and judging by all your comments here, I might end up in Spain after I have entered at least 1 jump in my profile. Also, a couple of years ago I was quite confident and would have got up in the morning, and headed to an Airfield without a thought! I missed that boat and at present, I just need a tiny bit of hand holding to get my first jump out of the way, and home seems more comfortable. Although, I am not frightened - the butterflies are killing me, and I haven't even made it to a DZ yet!

Do people generally drive upto the DZ or catch a train/bus and hang around after a jump(s) to share stories over a pint or two? I ask because I want to be able to share my experience. Although I have not started yet, I usually don't talk about my intention of joining this wonderful sport with my friends/colleagues, as they will never understand and will only try to tell me how dangerous it is and the number of people who die blah blah blah...

I hope that Headcorn is good, as I might start there to begin with. It is also a pain for me to get to, from South West London. It might be easier for me to get to Oxford as za_skydiver recommends - which I probably will after my first few jumps. I do not want to get sucked into politics of a place - it might kill the experience. I want to stay cool and just dive. IIRC - my brother told me it costs around £250 for the first training session and the jump, thereafter the jumps are priced at £35. However, I might be wrong, I do not know the costs associated with an AFF - if it isn't considerably more - I will definitely consider it.

This is not an issue at UK DZs. there is no requirement for water landing training at any DZ, or for any issuing of licences. The only time you might need it is for a water jump, that generally only happen on displays anyway. Afaik, the only DZs with water safety issues are Jersey (land on the beach) or Cornwall (as the DZ is on a cliff next to the sea) but neither of them train students other than tandems anyway. As for friendlyness of DZs go, Ive been to a few and I think they have all had students come through fine. Its more down to how you get on with the people there. I think the Headcorn reviews are old, and I know someone that jumps there normaally and she said its not as bad as it used to be (or used to be perceived). TrickyDicky, Many Thanks for the above info - it is music to my ears :---)

Thank you for your advice and words of encouragement - I really appreciate it. I have updated my profile, and amended the title of the thread. I hear what you are saying with regards to swimming - it is one skill, I know I have to acquire. However, at present skydiving definitely takes a preference, as I cannot delay it any longer. I feel that if I do not do it now, I will probably never do it! I can always learn to swim later in the year when the weather gets worse... ;--) As my brother has been to Headcorn and done a static line jump - I am leaning towards the same. He had a pretty good experience there - so I might give them a shot and build my confidence.

Hello All, I have not made my first jump yet. However, I am looking to do it within the next month or so. I have been wanting to skydive, forever since I can remember - so, I am pretty sure I will be hooked! My younger brother has already done a jump at Headcorn in the UK. But, doing a search on this forum regarding this DZ - brings up a ton of negative posts. I want my first experience to be a good and enjoyable one - where I am given good advice to help me become a responsible skydiver. Where else in the UK is good for a new skydiver? Also, I cannot swim - would that have any bearing on me jumping at all or at some DZ's? I would greatly appreciate any help, advice or pointers you can give me. Thanks