OK I'm Hooked! But....

[yatyas 0]

Hello,

I just made my first tandem jump this last weekend on my 40th that my sister had purchased for me. I had mentioned to my sister several years ago that when I hit the big 40 (Never thought it would happen) I wanted to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Well to my surprise my sister remembered this, and purchased this for me even though I had totally forgotten about this statement.

My wife of 19 years (great lady & awesome mother) was not to happy about my sister buying this for me, and was very reluctant about me actually doing this. Well after several unpleasant discussions she finally decided to say ok after I said it would be a once in a life time deal. OK I honestly thought it would be!

Well on Saturday my wife, and 18 year old daughter went with me to watch me jump at Skydive Oregon. She felt alot better after she watched a few groups of both experienced & tandem jumpers go before us with no problems. Everyone had big smiles on their faces after jumping.

My jumpmaster was awesome! He ensured that my harness was on properly before entering the plane, and while on the plane he noticed that one of my leg harness had become a little loose after one of his several safety checks. It had only become slightly loose while getting into the plane, and I must say it was a bit snug in the plane. No biggie!

Anyway all I can say is I was very comfortable when I fell out the plane, and it was the most fun I have ever had!! I cannot get out of my mind of how much fun I had, and I want to do it again. I do understand that there are dangers in this sport, but I believe if you think safety first I think it can be done safely.

I am now thinking of getting my AFF, and then my A license. Maybe I am still a little too exited, but I really think this is for me. My wife on the other hand is not to keen about this and is still not on board. I would not sacrifice my family for this, but I really want to get into this sport.

I would not consider myself a risk taker at all. I am a former Marine & I am still active in shooting sports (no hunting, just paper & steel), hiking, and just being in the outdoors in general. Most of the mistakes that I have read about other jumpers on this site have been due to people rushing to catch the next plane, or just being too comfortable (careless). Please do not take this as a slam. I am just a newbee looking for insight from some experienced jumpers, and am looking for some reassurance.

What would you recommend me telling my wife that I want to do this? My wife has seen the 35mm pictures of me jumping, and she know that I had a kickass time with all the smiles on my face. Ok just wait until she sees the video that is comming. I can honestly say that this was the most fun ever!!!!

She knows that I want to do this, but she is playing dumb.

Any suggestions?

Thanks Scott

[Hayfield 0]

If it bites you, look out. AFF is a blast, you'll have more fun than you think. Any chance you could get your old lady to jump a tandem? Then she might better understand your enthusiasm. If not, try to include her in the dz culture, the experienced people will help allay fears i think. I've only been to 2 dz's, but I've met the coolest people ever. There's so much more to this sport than the physical act of falling. Blue Skies.

"Remember the First Commandment: Don't Fuck Up!"
-Crusty Old Pete

[yatyas 0]

I do not think that my wife would ever want to jump since she has back issues, and a city girl from New Jersey! Sorry just had to throw that in.

I did notice that all of the people in the diving community were very professional, friendly, and helpful.

I think I may call up the DZ to see if I can hang out & talk to some of the experienced jumpers this weekend. I really want to see how they pack their containers. I need to know how it all works!!

Thanks Hayfield

[BIGUN 1,062]

Quote

I am a former Marine

Hmmm.... Skymama, Do we let former Marines skydive? I thought we'd made a rule about that a few years ago?

Welcome to skydiving. Former Army guy at age 47ish comes up to me and says, "Hey, you think at my age I can take this up and do something with it or am I too old?

He just turned 50, just turned a 1000 skydives and is a skydiving videographer.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[skymama 35]

Welcome to the forums!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[IBflying 0]

I'm going to go the other way with this. I'm a non-skydiver, but am familiar with the sport because my boyfriend, then fiance, then husband (all the same guy by the way) was a skydiver at one point. I have hung around more dropzones, for more hours than I care to count, or remember for that matter. Initially, I was very anti-skydiving. I was negative toward the sport, and my husband I had more arguments over it than anything else. He and I led a long-distance relationship for a while, and I became incredibly bitter that we'd spend our time together with me on the ground and him in the air. I had no desire to do it, because I felt that I was capable of living my life and feeling content, without having to add that extra danger to it. Other things were more important to me, like family, like health. Plus, I didn't trust myself enough in that type of situation, and the short thrill was never worth the huge risk. Eventually though I came to accept it because I loved him (and still do, more than anything, that's why I married him). But just because I accepted it, didn't mean that I liked it any more than I had previously. We got through our differences, although still argued about it frequently...I ended up doing a tandem, which is how he proposed to me, but I will never do it again...some people just aren't meant to fly I suppose. I fly enough with both feet firmly planted on the ground... So she may come to accept it, or she may not. But I'll tell you this: the reason I became upset and it was worth all the arguments to me, was because I cared about my husband's safety, more than I cared about some sport. And I don't regret making it harder, because maybe that's what kept him alive.

[Hayfield 0]

You MUST know my mother!

"Remember the First Commandment: Don't Fuck Up!"
-Crusty Old Pete

[IBflying 0]

Ooooooooooo, it's possible! It's all about the love baby!

[yatyas 0]

Quote

I'm going to go the other way with this. I'm a non-skydiver, but am familiar with the sport because my boyfriend, then fiance, then husband (all the same guy by the way) was a skydiver at one point. I have hung around more dropzones, for more hours than I care to count, or remember for that matter. Initially, I was very anti-skydiving. I was negative toward the sport, and my husband I had more arguments over it than anything else. He and I led a long-distance relationship for a while, and I became incredibly bitter that we'd spend our time together with me on the ground and him in the air. I had no desire to do it, because I felt that I was capable of living my life and feeling content, without having to add that extra danger to it. Other things were more important to me, like family, like health. Plus, I didn't trust myself enough in that type of situation, and the short thrill was never worth the huge risk. Eventually though I came to accept it because I loved him (and still do, more than anything, that's why I married him). But just because I accepted it, didn't mean that I liked it any more than I had previously. We got through our differences, although still argued about it frequently...I ended up doing a tandem, which is how he proposed to me, but I will never do it again...some people just aren't meant to fly I suppose. I fly enough with both feet firmly planted on the ground... So she may come to accept it, or she may not. But I'll tell you this: the reason I became upset and it was worth all the arguments to me, was because I cared about my husband's safety, more than I cared about some sport. And I don't regret making it harder, because maybe that's what kept him alive.

IBflying I think you have pretty much the same outlook as my wife. I know that my wife cares about me and that she is fearfull that I could become injured or worse. I do not blame her for becomming upset with me since I have told her that I am interesed getting into this sport. She want's me to be happy & have fun, but she thinks the risk is much to large. I really appreciate your point of view. Kudos to you for jumping tandem to see what all the fuss was about.

I think I will try to drop by the DZ to get more information from some of the experienced jumpers. I will try to get my wife to come along once I get some of my own questions answered.

Thank you everyone for your responses.

[steveorino 7]

I'm the guy Keith (Bigun) referred to. I was 46 when I started back jumping (3 years military static line 1977-1980)

Presently I have 1028 jumps, videographer, coach, and getting my tandem rating. I'm NOT 50!! (I'm 51 )

Good luck! You're never too old to be young again!

steveOrino

[matthias 0]

Quote

I am a former Marine

hoo rah devildog. Former active duty Marine corporal here - 0311, 2nd Mar Div - Camp Pendleton. enlisted 1999, hon discharged 2003.

Former Marine? Once a Marine, always a Marine ;) You'll enjoy AFF, just take it one level at a time.

Welcome to skydiving. Blue Skies

_________________________________________
trance/house mixes for download:
www.djmattm.com

[yatyas 0]

Well I went back to Skydive Oregon today to ask a few questions and watch a couple of groups jump. It was very hard for me not to drop down the plastic, sign the waivers, and jump again. I told my wife I would not do this while she is back east visiting family. I gave her my word which is as good as gold.

I hope to convince her when she gets back. We will see.

Stevarino, I love the saying "your never too old to be young again"! I do not consider myself old, but I must say that I felt 20 years younger during my jump. Just a young kid again.

Matthias, I was active duty from 84-88 as an Amtracker (2142). I used to haul you grunts around!

I was in both 3rd Mar div & 2nd Mar div.

Semper Fi my brother and to all my fellow servicemen & woman. Thank you for your service.

Happy flying to all!!!

[IBflying 0]

As I've said before, I'm not a skydiver, but the reason I hang around these forums is because I'm a huge tunnel junkie (not a rat, there's a difference). Have you tried wind tunnels yet? Your wife would enjoy it more, I guarantee, which might in turn have you enjoying it more.