So, I've finally decided to skydive. Actually, I've decided that some time ago, but it took time to gather the collect information, and figure out when I actually have the time. I would like some opinion/feedback on some of the decisions I've made.
1. RAPS vs AFF
I've decided to go with the AFF route, simply because it is supposed to be faster. And to be honest, I can't find anyone else willing to join, meaning that there is no group discount benefit.
2. Drop Zone
This turned out to be more of a pain than I expected. For a start, drop zones are, understandably, some distance away from the nearest city/town. And as I do not drive, I have to go with one that is at least somewhat accessible from the nearest bus/train station either by taxi or a couple miles walk.
Originally, my favoured option is http://www.skydivelondon.co.uk
That's mainly because a friend of a friend did a RAPS jump there, and at a glance, it is logistically convenient. There is a direct train from London to Swindon (£20-25 for a return), taxi would cost £10-15. The problem is that the DZ doesn't offer any accommodation nor could they suggest a B&B nearby, and if I need to take a taxi back to Swindon every night over a week-end (plus an accommodation), the costs will quickly pile up. Additionally, the airfield is only open during the week-end (at least for that purpose), so it will mean that I'll need at least a couple of returns train tickets.
So now I am considering http://www.skydiving.co.uk/
I didn't pay notice to that DZ at first because it is pretty far from London, and *getting to* the site looks like a bit of an adventure. National Rail won't tell me how to get to the nearest station (Scunthorpe), but at least Megabus will take me there for a fiver each way. Though from Scunthorpe, it's yet another 8 miles or so to the airfield, and I've not idea if taxis will take me there or if I'll have to walk it.
There are however a couple of advantages: the airfield, from my understanding, is open 7 days a week and they have on-site, sensibly priced accommodation which means that I can really learn intensively in one go. And the fact that it's 15,000ft is another plus
But there is yet another option I did not consider fully: Skydiving in Spain. I am not sure if it's really going to be much cheaper once you add the price of the flight/accommodation, and the weather isn't too bad for the time being. But the biggest issue is that I am not sure which ones are good.
So yeah, I'll certainly take feedbacks from any Hexite who've skydived in the UK/Spain, and heck, if by chance any of you fancies a go in the coming month (I am trying to do it before September as as I am not sure how the weather will change after that).


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Stick to where you know the system, accreditations etc and speak the language would be my advice when learning. Then abroad once you're confident.

(Bad enough being nervous for the first jumps lol).


