Pokerstar 0 #1 October 22, 2008 Hi all, I've wanted to try skydiving for quite a long time, however, I was never able to due to my weight. To make a long story short, 1.5 years ago I had Lap Band Surgery, and I am getting close to the acceptable weight for AFF. I started this out 2 years ago at 431 lbs, and now I am 255, so, after this winter I will be READY for spring and AFF! Any advice, pre-reading, studying, etc etc you have will be welcomed with open arms! Thanks!Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chubba 0 #2 October 22, 2008 All I can say is, it's going to be well worth it Welcome to DZ.com I look foward to reading your first jump post Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UliToo 0 #3 October 22, 2008 Congrats on losing the weight, and welcome here! No studying needed; you'll learn all that at the dropzone. Seems strange to give advice since I'm a newbie myself, but I now feel qualified to due to having one (almost two, haha) jumps behind me. Sounds like you got determination. Go fer it! Next week I go again. Wooohooooooo! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NotBond 0 #4 October 22, 2008 Great job on the weight! Newbie here too, just a couple tandems. Advice? You're supposed to fall out the door, and it's only one step! You'll have fun! Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
debussyschild 0 #5 October 22, 2008 Congrats and even more congrats for being able to start skydiving! I'm FINALLY doing my first tandem (after saving A LOT) this weekend. I've been reading like CRAZY about skydiving. Like you, I want to start my AFF soon, so I decided to read and get a feel for what I should expect. I read the ever popular book by Dan Poynter "Parachuting: The Skydiver's Handbook" and while it's definitely not all you need to know, it's a pretty comprehensive introduction to the history of the sport and the sport itself, including training and yes... emergency situations and malfunctions. Those sections are fun to read over and over again. I checked out the book from my university library instead of buying it (which I will when I have funds) and it has been well worth the read. Only, I'm sure, the only thing that can REALLY prepare you is making your first jump. Talk to lots of skydivers, ask lots of questions, and immerse yourself in it. That's been working for me so far and I haven't made a jump yet, but I can sure tell you a whole lot about the sport. Only the best knowledge comes with experience tho. And that means LOTS of awesome jumps!!!!!!!! Again, welcome!! "For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjsgrlsx3 0 #6 October 22, 2008 Congrats! You can dowload the SIM from this websight http://www.uspa.org/USPAMembers/Downloads/tabid/84/Default.aspx Have you checked out skydivingmovies.com Lots of great videos there! Have fun and stay safe! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #7 October 22, 2008 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreaming13000 1 #8 October 22, 2008 I too reccomend the SIM {skydiver's information manual} and the above post gives you the download link, you can also go ahead and purchase one. The SIM has alot of important information you will need to know to safely skydive. Congrats! on your weight loss! You must feel like a million dollars! Not only are you going to live a healthier life but now you get to jump outta planes!! you can't beat that. I think you'll find that skydiving is a very mental sport, use this winter to prepare yourself mentally, and don't forget to report back when you start your AFF! good luck and blue skies! jess "A man only gets in life what he is believing for, nothing more and nothing less" Kenneth Hagen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerstar 0 #9 October 27, 2008 Thanks very much! I think my first jump will be end of January! I'll keep everyone posted.Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerstar 0 #10 October 27, 2008 I can definately fall out of things, so I am set! Thanks!Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anarki 0 #11 October 27, 2008 welcome, i'm doing the same.(250 trying to drop some lbs too) you will find alot of great info and even better alot of great people here. i found a great pdf called canopy pilot you should give it a look over really helped me out. i'll attach it to this post. guess what's 250 lbs and flys like a brick? me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyPainter 0 #12 October 27, 2008 Welcome! If you can stay focused enough to lose that weight, you should have no problems staying focused going through AFF! Congrats! Use getting your A license as an incentive to support your weight loss efforts! It becomes betterer and betterer and betterer .......:)Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerstar 0 #13 October 28, 2008 Thanks! I will give it a read this evening! Appreciate it!Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerstar 0 #14 October 28, 2008 Thanks, I think I have it all planned out! I talked to the folks at The Farm, and a perfect mid january getaway from the frozen tundra (I live in Minnesota)Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opendore 0 #15 October 28, 2008 Awesome man, good to read your posts!! I too live in Minnesota... hope to see you at Skydive Twin Cities next year. It's a wonderful DZ. -Jesse I don't have a license for this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildfan75 1 #16 November 10, 2008 QuoteAwesome man, good to read your posts!! I too live in Minnesota... hope to see you at Skydive Twin Cities next year. It's a wonderful DZ. -Jesse Or at Skydive Wissota, we're open all year 'round! I live in Plymouth (for now) and I'm out at Wissota pretty much every weekend. Let me know if you are looking to car pool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerstar 0 #17 November 10, 2008 QuoteQuoteAwesome man, good to read your posts!! I too live in Minnesota... hope to see you at Skydive Twin Cities next year. It's a wonderful DZ. -Jesse Or at Skydive Wissota, we're open all year 'round! I live in Plymouth (for now) and I'm out at Wissota pretty much every weekend. Let me know if you are looking to car pool. Nice meeting you! Do you know of any local get-to-gethers aroung the cities? I would love to meet some of the locals. I may cruise out to Wissota next weeked, I will let you know.Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildfan75 1 #18 November 10, 2008 We have regular jumpers at Wissota that come from Wausau, Madison, Chip, the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, etc. If we "get together", its at Wissota. The beer fridge is always fully stocked! Sounds like there's going to be quite a few people out next weekend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyPainter 0 #19 November 10, 2008 Well, if'n ya keep on pickin' that there Banjer ya should lose some weight! Hard to eat and play Cripple Creek in Scruggs Style at the same time! (Is that a Gold Tone CC100R in the pic?) SkyPainter - who's been know to pick a tune or three himself! :)Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerstar 0 #20 November 11, 2008 QuoteQuoteAwesome man, good to read your posts!! I too live in Minnesota... hope to see you at Skydive Twin Cities next year. It's a wonderful DZ. -Jesse Or at Skydive Wissota, we're open all year 'round! I live in Plymouth (for now) and I'm out at Wissota pretty much every weekend. Let me know if you are looking to car pool. Depending how I feel this weekend, I may take a drive out to Wissota. (I am having some surgery tomorrow) If your offer of carpooling is still open, i may take you up on that!Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Da_SKiES_R_BLu 0 #21 November 14, 2008 Hello, Im new to jumping too. My name is Krystal and im 16. Im going for my first jump sunday... Good luck to you!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerstar 0 #22 November 14, 2008 Have fun! Let me know how it goes.Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
