| Okay, it won’t really be raining skydivers in Deland this weekend. It’s just going to seem like it. (I guess I didn’t need to tell you that. At least I sincerely hope not. Myself, I have never even seen it rain cats and dogs, or even a lone hamster, much less a skydiver. I just thought it made a good title.)
March 15 and 16, from 8:00 a.m. through sunset, 32 teams of 5 people --that’s 160 people -- will be dropping in to compete at the Shamrock Showdown. This annual skydiving competition is hosted by Skydive DeLand. Talented 4-way teams from Norway, Denmark, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Florida will be battling it out in the skies of Volusia County.
How the competition works: At 10,500 feet, the teams pile out of the plane. They’ll be judged on how many formations they perform as well as their quality. Teams consist of 5 people. Four are the skydivers performing the formations; the 5th videos them.
Yes, guys and gals, you too can leap out of a perfectly good airplane. Even with all the other activity going on, Skydive DeLand is booking tandems for the weekend. In a tandem jump, a newbie is harnessed to an experienced diver. Tom Cruise and former President George Bush are among Skydive DeLand’s tandem clients. If you want to jump solo, you can sign up for the extensive 3-5 day Accelerated Freefall training program.
If you’re an experienced skydiver, Skydive DeLand can help you get even better. Billed as the “skydiving training capital of the world,” its top quality instruction and facility, combined with Florida’s weather, flat geography, and air quality make it an ideal place for skydivers to learn the skills to help them turn into champions.
If you’re not jumping -- and therefore can still work up an appetite – there’s a restaurant and bar on the grounds.
Check out this cool article about skydiving at Deland.
Where: Skydive DeLand is located on 1600 Flightline Blvd in DeLand. DeLand is only 25 minutes from Daytona Beach and 40 from Orlando, and is home to Florida’s oldest private college, Stetson University. Its Main Street is so marvelous it was named best in the state by Florida Monthly Magazine.
Other DeLand Delights:
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