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WHICH DROP ZONE IS SAFEST?
No organization rates the relative safety of skydiving schools, but USPA
Group Member skydiving centers have pledged to follow USPA Basic Safety
Requirements, including providing USPA-developed first-jump courses,
using current USPA-rated instructors and providing USPA-required
skydiving equipment.
Safety is something that concerns every skydiver and is one of the most
important topics in our community. Don't leave your questions
unanswered. Be aware of the non-USPA drop zone claiming they have the #1
Safety record!!!
REFUND POLICY. What if I cannot keep my appointment?
$25.00 deposit per person required at booking time. No refund, but can reschedule for another date, if changes made at least 72 hours prior your appointment.
As you can imagine, we highly depend on the weather. Therefore, we'll ask you to be flexible the day of your jump allowing additional time in your schedule in case we have to wait for the weather to pass or to come earlier to avoid the bad weather, if we call you. We only refund deposits, if we cannot jump that day. Therefore try not to have any other commitments the day of your jump! If you are coming on vacations, we do recommend to make an appointment at the beginning of your stay, so you can reschedule for another day, in case of bad weather . Full refund in case of bad weather or can reschedule for another day. NO SHOW, NO REFUND!!!
WHAT IS A TANDEM JUMP?
It's skydiving with your instructor. The 5,000 tensile lb. harness you
will be wearing is directly connected to the parachute system and the
Jump Master with 10,000lb strength Harness rings. From exit until
landing, he is there to walk you and talk you through your first jump.
He'll tell you what to do and when to do it, or if you want, he'll do
everything for you. Your Jump Master is your personal "One on One"
coach. We feel it's the safest and easiest way to learn skydiving.
WHO WILL MY JUMP MASTERS BE?
All of the Jump Masters at Skydive Southwest Florida have at least 1,000
jumps, some as many as 6,000+, and many years of experience. All are
licensed, certified, and trained by the United States Parachute
Association, the equipment manufacturers, and the FAA.
WHY CAN'T I GO BY MYSELF?
While it is still legal to jump by yourself the first time, we feel a
Tandem jump is safer. You don't learn to scuba dive, or to fly a plane
by yourself, you don't even learn to drive a car by yourself, so why
would you want to jump by yourself? Free falling at 120 mph looks easy
on TV, but there's a lot more to it; so you should know what you're
doing on your first jump; or be with someone that does. We're not
interested in "Guts, Glory and Egos", we're only interested in safety.
We do offer Accelerated Freefall training... Call for details!
WHAT ARE THE FACILITIES LIKE?
We land our parachutes right here at the airport, so your friends can
watch. We have refreshments at our office, and we're close to the
restaurants and motels in town.
IS IT SCARY?
Of course. It's not everyday that you jump out of a perfectly good
airplane. Only insane people aren't scared. But we jump with more than a
thousand first timers each year. We know how you feel, we remember our
first jump. We know how to treat you and how to teach you. So when the
airplane door opens up, and you feel your heart in your throat, and your
adrenaline starts pumping, just tell yourself, "That's why I came here,
to get the thrill of a lifetime, I'm meeting my challenge."
WHAT WILL THE FREEFALL FEEL LIKE?
There aren't any words to describe it.
It is a sense of weightlessness and wind. There is no sense of falling
or speed. You will not "leave your stomach behind" like a roller
coaster. It will feel like you're floating in your back yard swimming
pool, but with a lot of wind hitting you.
HOW LONG IS THE DIVE?
The ground time is about 1 hour including the training, practicing, and
the gearing up. The airplane ride is about 15 minutes up to the top
floor, 10,000' AGL or above. After we exit, the freefall can be up to a
minute at 120mph. We'll pull the ripcord by 5,000' AGL and steer the
parachute down and around for 5 to 7 minutes of quiet, peaceful, soaring
and gliding. From start to finish, you'll be done in about 2 to 4 hours.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Running shoes, tee shirt, shorts, maybe a sweat shirt if it's cool. NO
boots. NO sandals. NO tight jeans. Dress casual and comfortable for the
weather.
WHAT IF THE PARACHUTE DOESN'T WORK?
All of our parachutes are inspected and packed under the supervision of
our own FAA rigger. But if it happens, we'll use the reserve parachute,
that's why it's there. Skydiving CAN injure or KILL you. So you MUST be
at least 18 years of age to sign our waiver release forms.
CAN I JUMP WITH MY FRIENDS?
Sure, that's usually not a problem. By calling and reserving early
enough in advance normally assures this if possible.
CAN I HAVE MY JUMP PHOTOGRAPHED AND VIDEO TAPED?
You can get all the experience recorded on a DVD, including your
training, freefall, parachute flight and of course landing. Then we'll
take the raw footage, edit and dub it, and add special effects and CD
music for a very nice mini-movie of your first jump. It is an option,
but about 80% of first timers purchase it.
WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT DO WE USE?
All our parachute rigs are equipped with a square main and reserve
parachute and an emergency parachute opener. The parachutes are double
sized for two people and up to 425' square, giving us soft openings and
soft landings. The emergency opener (AAD) is a $1,500 computer that is
designed to deploy our reserve parachute for us if there is a problem.
WHAT IF I CHICKEN OUT?
Only one in 5,000 first timers totally chicken out. But if that happens
to be you, so what, you are the customer, you don't have to jump. No, we
will not push you. If you want to jump it's the greatest thrill on this
planet. If you don't want to, no problem.
WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?
It's very seldom that we have to cancel because of clouds or rain.
Sometimes, if the wind starts blowing over 20 mph, we may have to
cancel. But that's usually a temporary problem, and just as quickly as
the wind picks up it can decrease. There are very few days where we
can't take you on a skydive due to weather. If you have any doubt about
the weather just give us a call because in Florida the weather can be
great just a few miles away.
WHAT CAN I SEE UP THERE?
We're jumping from over 2 miles high. If your eyes are open, you can see
the Gulf of Mexico, and just about all of South Florida, the Naples/Fort
Myers shore-line on a clear day. No where else can you see all of these
sights. IT'S AWESOME!!!
DO I NEED RESERVATIONS?
Yes, all jumps are normally by reservation. This is for your benefit. So
if you'll call us with as much advance notice as possible, we'll hold
open the best time slot for you. That way we're ready when you walk in
the door.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS?
Yes, all jumpers must be members of SW Florida Skydive Club (FREE 30
days temporary membership with your first tandem), be over 18 years old,
under 250 pounds and in good physical condition. Person over 230 lbs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. An additional fee of $35.00 for people over 230 lbs will be charged.
If you have any other physical challenges, please call in advance.
Remember, your safety is our main concern.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
No. Also, please note that in Florida it is illegal to leave an animal
in an unattended vehicle, even with the windows cracked.
Need day care for your dog, visit www.towlesclubk9.com
Gift Certificate Terms & Conditions:
- Must be at least 18 years old, less than 230 lbs and in a good physical condition.
- Location: SW Florida Skydive Club - 36886 Washington Loop Road - Punta Gorda, FL 33982
- You must redeem your certificate before the expiration date specified. After the expiration date, you are no longer able to redeem it for its stated value, however, you are eligible to use the amount paid for as a credit This value, also called face value or base value – never expires, according to applicable law.
- Not refundable. Not redeemable for cash, can be transferred to another person if needed.
Blue Skies!
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