Doasfu 0 #1 June 29, 2001 I've seen a lot of discussion on how to determine wether or not someone is a whuffo. "Does one tandem make you not a whuffo?" etc...Well, to determine whether or not someone is a whuffo, we need to look at what a whuffo is:"Whuffo you jump?" The question that defines a whuffo. Therefore, a whuffo is someone who wonders why we jump. It's not nessecarily a non-jumper, it's just someone who doesn't "get it." If someone makes one tandem, and they understand, even if they never feel it again, they're not a whuffo. If someone quits after three or four jumps and doesn't understand why people think it's worth keep doing, they are a whuffo.If you no longer need to ask "whuffo you jump?," or if you've always known, you can't really be a whuffo, can you? :)Comments?Dan"Oh, you went to a movie this weekend? That's nice. Me? Not much." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grogs 0 #2 June 29, 2001 I'll buy it. That aligns pretty well with my definition too. Skygod and whuffo are more about attitude than anything else.We've got a 14 year old on our DZ whose Dad is an AFF/Tandem JM and his Mom is a coach. He's out at the DZ every weekend, packs 50 or so chutes every weekend, can tell you about the characteristics of every type of container and main chute we have on the drop zone, and is saving all his money up so he can do AFF when he turns 16. Even though he's never made a single skydive, Iwouldn't dream of calling him a whuffo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADRNALN 0 #3 June 29, 2001 I think I'll agree with that but just to keep it interesting....If they really got "it"how could they only do a single tandem.....It seems that if they would only go on the amusement ride (1st tandem) they don't get it....Shouldn't it be deeper than that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Divadiver 0 #4 June 29, 2001 I agree with Adrnalyn. After my first tandem, I knew that I didn't get it and I came back for more. After the second time down, I got it!! I still have it!!Diva Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #5 June 29, 2001 Not necessarily...they may get it but might have other obligations that take priority. They may have kids and based on a risk assessment don't think the chance of an accident is worth it because of their family. Or maybe they hurt themselves on one of those few jumps, and really want to go again, but are just afraid to. I'd still say they "get it" but have made a choice not to indulge.Hell, I've experimented in my past and can honestly say there are certain recreational drugs that I "get". But even though I know I'd enjoy doing them again, I also know what the risks are of doing so and have decided not to. Not a great comparison, but I think it clarifies my point.cielos azules y cerveza fría-Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #6 June 29, 2001 First Tandum...I had it about 2 seconds after we left the airplane. I have obligations as a single mom, but I also have an obligation to myself to do something I love. You'll find me at the DZ every weekend generally with my girls if they are home. You can't say they have "IT" if they quit. They only realize the small dot on the spectrum of what we see as the big picture in our lives. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #7 June 29, 2001 It depends whether on your first tandem you were a passenger or a student...big difference!!!marc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #8 June 29, 2001 First tandum of synonomous with first jump for most of us who had no idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #9 June 29, 2001 This is something I was thinking about yesterday. What do you call someone who just does one tandem & never comes back?I agree with Doasfu: They really can never be a whuffo ever again. They know "whuffo", even if they don't do it again.This is a huge percent of total skydivers: In the USA we have a bit over 35,000 regular skydivers. But an additional QUARTER OF A MILLION people visit DZs each year to do that single tandem skydive. Tandem skydiving has really changed skydiving for this reason: You get all these one-timers now that you never got before about 10 years ago or so when tandem skydiving started.So these one-timers are a definite and large group of people we need to consider.THEREFORE, I HEREBY PROCLAIM WE MUST COME UP WITH A NAME FOR THESE ONE-TIMERS!! Let's hear some suggestions. Remember folks, this is for posterity!Speed Racer"I think I think, therefore, I think I am, I think!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADRNALN 0 #10 June 29, 2001 What if we call the one time tandem riders- "ONE TIME WONDERS".....cause I wonder why they never come back... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #11 June 29, 2001 would "stupid" work?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADRNALN 0 #12 June 29, 2001 Sounds good to me Mouth but I am "way to into" skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #13 June 29, 2001 Guess you have good company...me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pammi 0 #14 June 29, 2001 QuoteYou can't say they have "IT" if they quit. They only realize the small dot on the spectrum of what we see as the big picture in our lives. Can't say that I agree with that one. So if I quit now, for some reason that perhaps was out of my control or I had obligations that required the choice for one reason or other, would that make me a whuffo? I don't think so. Wanting and having is not necessarily the same thing. I will always WANT to skydive, but if Merrick hadn't financially made it possible for me, I would've never been able to pursue it as I have. Or, if my children for some reason decided that it scared them immeasurably for me to be jumping and it wasn't something I could work out with them, I'd quit. I'm sorry, I love skydiving more then anything else I've ever done in my life next to my family, but like I said...next to my family. If it came to the choice, there would be no choice...but I don't think I could ever be a whuffo again.Our webpage Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #15 June 29, 2001 The difference is the circumstances would have been out of your control. Someone who just jumps once and is satisfied or does 4-5 jumps and says that's it is still a whuffo... they choose to quit.I do respect your opinion especially since I am a single mom. Thankfully my girls think it is cool to have my video to show their friends. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Merrick 0 #16 June 29, 2001 Yeah, I hear ya baby... While I know that skydiving will always be a great passion of mine, even that passion would have to take a back seat to you & the kids!! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pammi 0 #17 June 29, 2001 Oh yeah, definately...as our DZO once said, most people do 5 or less jumps then quit once the 'novelty' has worn off (and it no longer impresses their friends to say "I skydive") Definate whuffos if they quit because it no longer gets them the cool points they want, or they find out it's not as easy as just falling out of an open door! Thank heavens my kids think skydiving is cool too...they can't wait til they can try it :)Our webpage Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADRNALN 0 #18 June 29, 2001 I like Mouth's point of view. I don't think anyone is saying if you CAN'T continue to jump due to a "good" reason you are a whuffo. But just because you took the ride does not mean you get it. Blue to You,JB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #19 June 29, 2001 Well, I have to disgree. Maybe they're no longer skydivers, but the fact that they did it at all seperates them from the rest of the herd. There are plenty of adventurous things to do out there, skydiving is just one of them. If you try one of these things, and then stop for whatever reason, it isn't as though you've never done it.If someone had sex once, then never again, would they become a virgin? (Geez, I hate to admit this, but its been a while for me...Maybe virginity grows back??!!)But seriously, I still think we need to coin a term for a third category.Sky TastersLemmings (-->they only do one jump!)Mono-chutistsOssumbyes. (Comes from the phrase, "That was AWESOME!..Bye!"Speed Racer"I think I think, therefore, I think I am, I think!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZBone 0 #20 June 29, 2001 Quote"ONE TIME WONDERS".....cause I wonder why they never come back...Or just "Oneders" - ooooooh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #21 June 29, 2001 QuoteLemmings (-->they only do one jump!)I really like this one. Bon mot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Doasfu 0 #22 June 29, 2001 QuoteTHEREFORE, I HEREBY PROCLAIM WE MUST COME UP WITH A NAME FOR THESE ONE-TIMERS!! Let's hear some suggestions. Remember folks, this is for posterity!I humbly submit "Onceffo."Dan"Oh, you went to a movie this weekend? That's nice. Me? Not much." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PhillyKev 0 #23 June 30, 2001 Lemmings gets my vote. They don't know why they do it, they just do it, and then never do it again.cielos azules y cerveza fría-Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PalmettoTiger 1 #24 July 2, 2001 Onceffo and Ossumbye (ossumbuy if they brought beer?) both sound great. I kinda like Onceffo because it goes nicely with Howffo, my current status. (Who came up with that one?)I would also like to thank Dan for his cool posts. Mostly because what he writes is not the usual "I did such and such, everyone look at how cool I am/everyone laugh at me" fluff that I put up here. Also because his sig is high-quality and subtly subversive.Blues, Squares,PTiger*insert sub-100 character sig here* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Doasfu 0 #25 July 2, 2001 QuoteI would also like to thank Dan for his cool posts. Mostly because what he writes is not the usual "I did such and such, everyone look at how cool I am/everyone laugh at me" fluff that I put up here. Also because his sig is high-quality and subtly subversive.Thanks man, you made my morning. I have to admit, though, that if I'd jumped in the last couple of weeks I'm sure my posts would be about that. :)Dan"Oh, you went to a movie this weekend? That's nice. Me? Not much." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Doasfu 0 #22 June 29, 2001 QuoteTHEREFORE, I HEREBY PROCLAIM WE MUST COME UP WITH A NAME FOR THESE ONE-TIMERS!! Let's hear some suggestions. Remember folks, this is for posterity!I humbly submit "Onceffo."Dan"Oh, you went to a movie this weekend? That's nice. Me? Not much." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #23 June 30, 2001 Lemmings gets my vote. They don't know why they do it, they just do it, and then never do it again.cielos azules y cerveza fría-Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PalmettoTiger 1 #24 July 2, 2001 Onceffo and Ossumbye (ossumbuy if they brought beer?) both sound great. I kinda like Onceffo because it goes nicely with Howffo, my current status. (Who came up with that one?)I would also like to thank Dan for his cool posts. Mostly because what he writes is not the usual "I did such and such, everyone look at how cool I am/everyone laugh at me" fluff that I put up here. Also because his sig is high-quality and subtly subversive.Blues, Squares,PTiger*insert sub-100 character sig here* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doasfu 0 #25 July 2, 2001 QuoteI would also like to thank Dan for his cool posts. Mostly because what he writes is not the usual "I did such and such, everyone look at how cool I am/everyone laugh at me" fluff that I put up here. Also because his sig is high-quality and subtly subversive.Thanks man, you made my morning. I have to admit, though, that if I'd jumped in the last couple of weeks I'm sure my posts would be about that. :)Dan"Oh, you went to a movie this weekend? That's nice. Me? Not much." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
