Advice on AFF training

[Vitrower31 0]

I recently started skydiving, and am completely addicted! I have had the most wonderful experiences in my life in the short time I have been exposed.

I've started my AFF training at a local drop zone, and had all positive experiences until last weekend. I took time away after level 2 for financial reasons, and was finally able to get back this past weekend. I went through recertification; everything was fine (the instructor that did my re-cert was great!). There was a small group of students.

The instructor (assigned to our jump) was lively, and quite rude. Never letting me finish any of my sentences, or questions. Even though I wasn't saying even a word I was constantly told that I needed to relax.

Honestly, I feel like a relaxed individual would not interrupt students asking questions.
I never completely went through my dive flow (we only practiced level 1) before the instructor said ok go find something to do, because it's going to be a while.

I had been reading the SIM (lot of very helpful information in there! Well for me anyway.). I felt way too intimidated by my instructor to ask anymore questions, but I did find another instructor who took time to go over a lot of helpful info with me.

I talked to a few people I knew in the training program. I asked if they had worked with the instructor I was paired with, and they had, and they really liked the instructor.
At this point I felt I was probably taking everything out of context and the best route was to brush off the situation.

I decided (after 3hrs of waiting) to ask the instructor some questions, try to gain knowledge, and use down time wisely. I asked the instructor to go over some items with me. Perhaps go over some items on my card.

I was told that I am trying to go to fast... I need to relax, and I don't need to know that yet. Skydiving is meant to be learned over time and not rushed. I asked if there was anything we could go over to prepare me better for my next dive. I got no... Why are you trying to go so fast? People in skydiving are A-type personalities. Then the instructor offered some paperwork on the DZ, and pretty much shooed me away.

I felt really uneasy about my next dive. The instructor hadn't even taken the time to go through my dive flow with me yet. It seemed as if I were a nuisance. I felt disrespected, and very uneasy about jumping... especially with this instructor.

I ended up leaving the DZ, told manifest "something came up". I don't want to complain about the instructor to the DZ, but I don't want to be placed with that instructor again. I don't think belittling people and telling them that they shouldn't be learning about what they are about to do (especially in a sport like skydiving).

Any advice for my next trip to the DZ. Is there a nonchalant way to request I don't get placed with the instructor? I felt so awkward... I was told that I don't know anything yet, and I don't know how to have fun on a skydive yet, and I am trying to rush everything way to fast. I had my SIM with me to read and learn (while on my 3hr wait) and was told... "Ugh you look so studious." The worst part about this was that there were other students and skydivers around, and they could definitely hear. I was pretty embarrassed.

[KermieCorleone 0]

dude its your life, if you dont think you can achieve your objective then you should have no compunction in asking for the instructor who can help you get it. A "loud and fun" guy is not necessarily the best teacher. I would think that if you told the manifest you dont mind waiting for a specific instructor in the rotation then manifest shouldnt have an issue with that and if you are just not feeling the DZ as a whole, try another one that fits you better ...

- Neil

Never make assumptions! That harmless rectangle could be two triangles having sex ...

[Vitrower31 0]

I guess my main concern is this is a fairly small DZ and I don't want to "step on toes", and start off on the wrong foot with the crowd there. I've already pre-paid the whole AFF program (no refunds), so opting for another DZ is not an option until after I have my license.

I will request another instructor for my next visit, and hopefully there are some available:)

Thanks for the advice!

[DiverMike 5]

This isn't tiddly-winks you are learning how to do. If you are uncomfortable with any instructer, then indicate it to manifest. It isn't a popularity contest. It is a procedure to keep you alive to enjoy the sport. You need to be comfortable and focus on your training.

For the same reason I jump off a perfectly good diving board.

[Ion01 1]

I am sure the instructor wasn't trying to be rude or anything. Different people have different learning methods and need different types of instructors. I probably would have like this guy a lot as I took things way to seriously (in a sense there is nothing more serious but....) that resulted in me being extremely tense during the jumps which ment I didn't arch well and other things. It took an instructor that told me not to be so serious and I didn't have to worry about this or that, like he is telling you, to get me relaxed and having fun. Once relaxed my mind was clear and everything came easy. On the other hand not everyone needs that kind of instructor. If he doesn't fit you and the way you learn....well you payed for the instruction so just nicely request one you like. Even now after learning all the instructors personalities at my home DZ I may wait to ask one a question but may wait to ask a different question to another one.

PS. I find the DZO very intimidating to this day but I have also learned that he is extremely knowledgable and is the one that really keeps the dropzone running and safe and is actually very generous. I don't know what it is about him that intimidates me so much but he does.

[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

[DiverMike 5]

I like Skymama's advice better than mine. I guess it has the touchy-feely woman's touch.

What I was trying to get across is there must be an improvement in communication between student and instructor.

For the same reason I jump off a perfectly good diving board.

[MarkM 0]

Quote

I was told that I am trying to go to fast... I need to relax, and I don't need to know that yet. Skydiving is meant to be learned over time and not rushed.

Sounds like he doesn't want you to information overload. That said, you might be the type of personality that likes to know every small facet of everything before going ahead. A details person.

What I'd do is next time you go ask manifest if you could have one of the other instructors you vibed with better.

I don't think there's anything rude in that. Do make it an issue where the other instructor isn't "bad", so much as you just like the pace of your preferred instructor.

Manifest shouldn't give you any grief over it if it's a decent DZ.

[mutumbo 0]

or go up to maifest and tell tham that you want a different instructor than the last one, so you can get as many points of view and inputs as possible.

Thanatos340(on landing rounds)--
Landing procedure: Hand all the way up, Feet and Knees Together and PLF soon as you get bitch slapped by a planet.

[Argyll 0]

It's a shame you felt intimidated, and that in itself is making you nervous and uncomfortable, I've just done my AFf levels 1-7 over in Spain where my Instructors were brilliant, but I have to admit, there is an awful lot to take in, that's why it's called Accelerated.....
Information overload is probably the reason, trust me, the last thing you want dropping at 120mph is too much info, as you forget the main things, and your brain starts to get confused.
He's not fobbing you off because he cant be bothered, he also might be dealing with other students and doing camera work for Tandems etc....
Relax mate, because you're working yourself up before you even get to Altitude, how are you going to feel if this particular Instructor feels you're too tense and fails you on certain levels, I personally wouldn't get too worked up about it, take what he says in, and relax, because once you are relaxed a bit more, you'll get the buzz and enjoyment out of your jumps...

[Vitrower31 0]

Thank you for all of your guidance and wisdom!! I think there is something to learn from each of your posts, and am lucky to have such a variety of viewpoints to help me make an informed decision :)

I will most certainly be out at the DZ soon with an open mind and positive attitude to make my level 2 jump.

I think I will ask manifest if one of the instructors I connected with most is there and available. I feel that if I am comfortable with my instructor it will help to ease some of the jitters, and make for a more enjoyable experience with a positive out come :)

It’s not that I dislike the other instructor as a person; I really don’t know them on that level. After reading all of your responses I have come to the conclusion that the teaching style used by the instructor and my learning style clash, however the learning style of other students may harmonize with the instructor's teaching style. We are all unique in our own ways… and have different needs. After all variety is the spice of life 