FAQS ABOUT JOINING OUR CLUB
ABOUT OUR CLUB:
Is the club an official UF club?
It sure is! We abide by SGA rules and receive funding every year.
Is this a new club?
No at all. We’ve been around for more than 30 years.
Where do you skydive?
Skydive Palatka is our home dropzone. It is one hour from UF campus.
Palatka-Kay Larkin Airport
4015 Reid St, Palatka, FL 32177
Hours:
Friday: 10 am to 9pm
Saturday: 8am to 9pm
Sunday: 8am to 9pm
Phone: (386) 328-0606
How do I contact the Falling Gators?
FB: @fallinggators
Join our group: facebook.com/groups/fallinggators/
Follow our page, we make announcements such as meeting dates here: facebook.com/fallinggators
Why would anyone choose to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?
There aren't any perfectly good airplanes.
How many jumps do I have to do to be a club member?
Officially only one jump, it can be a tandem or a solo. However, all our active members jump regularly and are actively involved with the club.
How often you meet?
Informally we meet almost every weekend when we go to the dropzone to jump. Formally, at least once a semester.
Is meeting attendance for the club mandatory?
No.
How much does it cost to the Falling Gators club?
Hang on to your hat, because there's no fee!!!
I understand there are no club fees, but what are the costs per jump?
We do NOT pay to join the club, we DO pay for the skydives. You must pay for your jumps, your coaching (if and when you get it) and your gear (if and when you get it). With that said, there are a ton of ways to save money when you get involved. Also a sweet perk is that UF students don't pay to rent the club’s equipment and those savings add up fast!
Note that these are not "hidden club fees". This is just the cost of skydiving that everyone pays. For example, if you want to buy your own altimeter, that's on you. Once you're licensed, if you want to skydive, you pay for the jump. If you want to do a tandem the first time you skydive, you pay for it.
See our tandem FAQs and our Licensing FAQs for more details.
How much does a tandem jump cost at Skydive Palatka?
About $185 for a group of 1 or 2. There are group discounts available. See our tandem FAQs for a lot more detail. Check skydivepalatka.com/first-jump for current prices.
When is your next meeting?
Stay tuned to our Facebook pages for the next official meeting dates. Come out to Skydive Palatka any time and you will almost certainly run into a club member or alumni. A lot of staff are club alumni!
Do you do tandems or are you licensed skydivers?
Most members are either licensed or going through the licensing process.
Who can join?
UF undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff.
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Can student spouses, alumni, pets, or my stuffed animal join?
No. But anyone that wants to be involved can help. Waivers are available upon request for stuffed animals.
What are the financial benefits of joining?
Free use of the club’s skydiving equipment is the main financial benefit. Once you get involved and start jumping regularly you will learn how to save even more!
What do I have to do once I’ve joined?
Help your fellow club members and stay involved.
Are there rides to the dropzone?
No. As a club we do not organize rides to dropzone. However, once you become involved and make friends it’s easy to find a ride.
What is the Falling Gators annual boogie?
This is a special skydiving event organized by the club. A Boogie is an all weekend event so we typically jump all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday and hangout or camp in the airport grounds at night. Typically, on the Saturday night of the event we host a party with raffles and prices. We typically promote it ahead of time and invite prominent coaches, jumpers and bring novelty aircraft such as helicopters.
You’ve been to parties before, but you haven’t been to a boogie yet!
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I want to skydive! How can I start jumping?
Great! Your first jump can be a tandem skydive but it doesn’t have to. If you choose to do a tandem you will be strapped to the front of an experienced instructor who will guide you through the entire jump, canopy ride, and landing. You can get in touch with us or contact Skydive Palatka directly.
Afterwards, you can enroll in the First Jump Course – a six-hour ground training course – to kick off the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) training progression towards your solo skydiving license.
Where do I sign up to become part of the club?
There is nothing to sign! Get in touch, start jumping, and get involved with club activities. That’s what makes you a member.