Skydive Taft gives Kern County a “sky high” personality

Taken from Skydive Taft’s website

 

Bakersfield’s entertainment value is very minimal when we compare it to cities like Los Angeles or New York. It has a lot to offer its more than 350,000 residents, such as food, shopping and rich culture. But what if you want to do something extreme or adrenaline filled?

Those seeking out thrill and excitement in Bakersfield will be sadly out of luck. However, by venturing to Bakersfield’s neighbor, Taft, Calif., you’ll find Skydive Taft, which opened on April 1, 1998.

A tandem skydive costs $189 per person. A discount is given to students, firefighters, police, and people in the military or on birthdays, for whom the cost is $169 per person. Skydivers must be 18 years or older.

Along with those prices skydivers can choose from group jumps that are $179 per person or groups of 10+ for $169 per person.

“It’s pretty affordable considering the type of sport that it is. We offer a lot of different prices and different price points to help people get excited about skydiving,” said Dave Crouch owner, of Skydive Taft.

“We get a couple hundred people each month, a lot of college students from different colleges around and different people from out of town,” Crouch said.

Skydive Taft has professional instructors and pilots committed to keeping skydivers safe from danger. Though Skydive Taft’s web site doesn’t state the type of experience they have however, Skydive is USPA Certified. Which stands for United States Parachute Association and they make sure that skydiving facilities and equipment are held to a certain standard.

For the inexperienced skydiver, they offer tandem skydiving. This is where people are connected to an experienced skydiver. Together they jump, and pull the chute and land safely on the ground.

“We offer a lot of options for different levels of skydiving experience. Of course, if you’ve never done it before, doing a tandem skydive in California will just about beat any other first-time experience,” states Skydive Taft’s Facebook page. “As you progress in diving levels, you can try more complex dives, learning new skills and keeping safety in mind as you improve.”

Skydive Taft offers many events that help promote the business and get people who would never think about skydiving up in a plane. One upcoming event on June 1 and 2 is the Grumpy, Gimpy, Old Farts Boogie. The fifth annual event will feature a live band, food, beer and a raffle for a free jump ticket. This event is not just for “old farts” younger individuals are invited as well.

With it being close to Bakersfield and offering prices that can tempt even the cheapest thrill seeker, everyone can enjoy this activity. Skydive Taft helps prove that Bakersfield isn’t just an oil town and neither is Taft, both of these small towns have hidden gems among them.

Taken from Skydive Taft’s website

Entertainment just got extreme

Photo courtesy of Skydive Taft’s website.

 

Bakersfield’s entertainment value is very minimal when we compare it to cities like Los Angeles or New York. It has a lot to offer its more then 350,000 residents, things such as food, shopping and rich culture. But what if you want to do something extreme or adrenaline filled.

If we venture about 45 minutes outside of Bakersfield to its neighbor Taft, Calif., you will discover Skydive Taft. Yes, skydiving. Many people who have never heard of this place will be very shocked to find out that such an extreme activity is just 45 minutes away from Bakersfield.

I was definitely one of those people before going to Taft College I’d never heard of Skydive Taft. After discovering it I was thoroughly convinced that Kern County did have some hidden gems among the rich agriculture and plethora of oil fields. Though skydiving would never be something I’d try it was interesting to know that an interesting activity was so close to where I lived.

Though I’d never try this adrenaline packed activity, I’m sure many of Kern County residents would participate. So to those who aren’t in the know and are slightly interested, Skydive Taft offers a lot of different options of skydiving depending on how experienced skydiving hopefuls are.

Most people have no experience in skydiving and Skydive Taft is aware of this and offers tandem diving (where you’re strapped to someone who is experienced and jump with them). Experienced jumpers can dive by themselves or with a group of other experienced adrenaline junkies.

The prices of this activity vary, if it’s your first dive you can do a tandem for $189 each, $169 if you’re a student and can provide proof. For a complete list of prices please visit here.

Skydive Taft offers the lowest prices for beginner skydiving in California, considering the sport it is. If this is something that interests you please visit their website for information on how to participate.

Photo courtesy of Skydive Taft’s website