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 100% Safety record!!!

DO I NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION?
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.

REFUND POLICY. What if I cannot keep my appointment?
$50.00 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 making 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 5,000 jumps, some as many as12,000+, and many years of experience. All are licensed, certified, and trained by the United States Parachute Association, the equipment manufacturers, and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).

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 take off and land right here at Shell Creek Airport, so your friends can watch.  You and your friends can use our gazebo with our picnic tables and BBQ grill. We're close to the restaurants and motels in town.

IS IT SCARY?
Of course. It's not every day 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 15-20 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 sweatshirt 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 including your freefall, parachute flight and of course landing. Then we'll take the raw footage, edit and dub it, and add special effects for a very nice mini movie of your first jump (5minutes) and 75-100 pictures. It is not mandatory, but highly recommended! About 75% 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 365 square feet, 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 coastlines of Gulf of Mexico from Venice to Fort Myers Beach, including the Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River, and just about all of South Florida, the Naples/Fort Myers shoreline on a clear day. No where else can you see all of these sights. IT'S AWESOME!!!

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.

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.

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Certification Programs

Learn how to skydive

Certification Program
ISP -Tandem Progression Program

If after your initial tandem (discovery of flight), you decide to learn skydiving, please find the details below.

Tandem jumps introduce students into the solo training programs. The instructor is the pilot in command of the shared parachute so the training time is considerably less than the methods where the student is wearing his own parachute.
After Category A & B, you will merge to AFF program starting level C-1.

Once you start the program, you have to have less than 30 days in between your jumps. If more than 30 days, then you will have to redo the previous level.

Category A : 1st working Tandem

Jump # 1 (10,000 ft)                         $240.00
Introduction to altitude awareness COA
Practice Touches
Wave off and Pull at 5,500 feet.
Introduction to holding area and landing pattern.

Remark: if you did your tandem "discovery of flight" , you can take advantage of the return tandem special for your 1st working tandem!

Category B : 2 working Tandems

Jump # 2                                         $240.00
Check altitude.
Three practice deployments.
Altitude, arch, legs, relax.
Extend legs and hold for three seconds. Begin wave off by 6,000 feet.
Pull by 5,500 feet.
Student in control of the steering of the parachute from opening to landing with the help of the tandem instructor, applying the knowledge acquired during partial ground school (practice different types of turns, practice flares, holding area, landing patterns and landing)

Jump # 3                                         $240.00
Practice deployment
Altitude, arch, legs, relax.
Extend legs and hold for three seconds.
Altitude, arch, legs, relax.
Repeat as altitude permits or turns (if trained).
Begin wave-off by 6,000 feet.
Pull by 5,500 feet
Student fully in control of the steering of the  parachute until landing with strict minimum input from tandem instructor.
            
Category C : 2 jumps

Ground School                                     $120.00
4-6 hours of ground training, receiving instruction for solo free-fall, solo canopy flight, emergency procedures and ending with a written test.

A USPA membership is required before jump #4. The cost is $75.00 per year. As a member you'll receive the monthly skydiving magazine PARACHUTIST and you'll also be covered under their liability insurance plan should you damage someone's property or hurt a none jumper upon landing!

Jump # 4                                         $240.00
Altitude, arch, legs, relax.
Wave-off at 5,500 feet & deploy by 4,000 feet.
                    
Jump # 5                                         $240.00
Instructor releases grips as situation allows.
Wave-off at 5,500 feet & deploy by 4,000 feet
                    
Category D : 2 jumps

Jump # 6                                         $240.00
90-degree turns
Wave-off at 5,000 feet.
Pull by 4,000 feet
                   
Jump # 7                                         $240.00
180- and 360-degree turns
Wave-off at 5,000 feet.
Pull by 4,000 feet
                             
Category E : 2 jumps

Jump # 8                                         $240.00
Barrel Roll & Tracking
                  
Jump # 9                                         $240.00
Back loop & Front Loop
                              
All solo jumps will be done between 10,000 feet and 13,000 feet depending on clouds cover.
Maximum winds for student is 14 mph (North - South winds) or 10 mph (East - West winds).
Any repeat of a level/jump will be charged standard price.

Complete your USPA A License

Gear rental not included $30 per jump

Category F : 4 jumps

1 Coach Jump                                  $120.00         
Spot with minimal assistance.
Choice of exit position.
Track for five seconds, turn 180 degrees, return.
Altitude check.
Repeat until 6,000 feet.
Wave off and pull by 4,000 feet

1  Jump                                             $60.00         
Repeat of previous jump without coach
Spot with minimal assistance.
Choice of exit position.
Track for five seconds, turn 180 degrees, return.
Altitude check.
Repeat until 6,000 feet.
Wave off and pull by 4,000 feet


1 Jump                                              $60.00
Clear and Pull from 5,500 feet

1 Jump                                              $60.00
Clear and Pull from 3,500 feet

          
Category G : 4 jumps

1 Coach Jump                                     $120.00
Forward movement to Dock - Up and down
 
1 Jump Repeat of previous jump           $60.00
Forward movement to Dock

1 Jump                                                $60.00
Repeat of previous jump -  Up and down

1 Coach Jump                                    $120.00 
Review of docking and fall rate

          
Category H : 4 jumps

1 coach jump : Swoop and dock           $120.00
1 jump : Repeat Swoop and dock           $60.00
1 coach jump : Freefall group skills      $120.00
1 jump: Repeat Freefall group skills       $60.00


3 solo jumps at $60.00 each.
Check out dive for your A-License including oral Quiz   $120.00

A minimum of 25 jumps and the completed proficiency card is required to get your A-License.

Congratulations on your A-License !!!

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Blue Skies!