tandem skydive - any recommendations

franbemadd

Hi, I'm a 65 years old female and I'm ticking off "always wanted to do" list, and I've come to the conclusion that if I don't do some of them now, I'll never do them. One of the top items is a tandem skydive. I'm definitely going to do it - if I don't chicken out. There are four clubs/organizations that I've found, and I wonder if anyone has heard good or bad things about any of them.

the Irish Parachute Club in Offaly
skydive ireland in Kilkenny
tandemskydive.ie
extremesports.ie also Offaly

Kilkenny would be more convenient, but the IPC seems to be the best known.

Also any tips would be welcome. I'm aware I'll have to have a doctor's letter.

quietsailor

I've only been to the IPC so that's the one I'll talk about.

Basically it's a club as in sports club, rather than a business. I enjoyed going there because there was more of a family atmosphere than a "right you've had your jump, bye" feel that a business would have.

I'm probably biased as I started on the solo training rather than a one-off tandem jump so I spent most of every weekend for 2yrs at the club so I got to make friends there.

Just in case anyone has been telling you about what you have/have to do:

1. If you feel like going for a solo jump go for it - it's the same cost as a tandem roughly
2. You don't have to have jumped as a tandem to start jumping solo.
3. You don't have to train in the static line system if you don't want to - there is a quicker method of training called AFF if you would like to learn to skydive

Those 3 points above are if you are considering a solo jump, if you're not and only want to have a tandem jump ignore what I wrote.

Either way have fun and enjoy, it's an incredible feeling up there

quietsailor

I forgot to write in some tips

Wear runners and loose clothes, older clothes if possible, you'll be landing on grass & even though you have overalls on grass stain happen.
Depending on the weather you could be waiting around - they won't let you jump if the winds are too strong, bring the papers and relax in the clubhouse if that happens.
The clubhouse had a restaurant when I was there but it was cash only when I was there 3 yrs ago. Bring cash! There is a village called clonbullogue nearby with a small supermarket so you can go there for food as well.

franbemadd

Thank you, that's very helpful. I've been told
1. Landing is hard, you need strong legs
2. Landing is easy, the instructor takes the bump.

What's your opinion? I have mild Parkinsons, so not a lot of leg strength. They know this at the Club, and assure me it will be fine, keep your legs up and the instructor knows what to do.

Frances

franbemadd

PS. That's why the tandem, rather than solo - muscle strength.

quietsailor

Definitely go with the tandem if you have muscle strength issues. the solo flying is exhausting if you're not used to it 2-3 jumps in a day spread out over 10hrs would have left me needing a good long sleep afterwards and that was as a mid thirties male with no muscle complications.

The tandem is a lot easier - the instructor does everything and you can relax - well relax as much as you can when falling through the sky :eek:. It sounds like you're going soon and as it's the summer time it's peak season. If your local (Dublin would be considered local) then you could arrive early but if you arrive around mid-day on a beautiful summers day when it's been bad for the preceding few weeks you'll find that there could be a lot of people waiting in front of you as they'll be dying to jump and will have arrived early.

It's not a problem as you will get to jump - more that you expect it and don't be disappointed when you realise you'll have to wait an hour or two. As I said before, bring papers or a book, relax in the clubhouse or outside on one of the picnic benches and enjoy the atmosphere.

You'll love it