Squeak 17 #26 March 2, 2010 AFF1 was my 39th brithday presentYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
377 20 #27 March 2, 2010 QuoteMy wife came to a DZ party last summer and made an interesting observation about age. She noted that we jumpers did NOT seem to self-segregate by age as much as other groups do. We pretty much ignore age and just have fun. Really true. I am 60 and have been jumping since I was 18. When I was 18 I noticed how little age seemed to matter if you were a safe heads up jumper. It hasn't changed much in 42 years. I leave the edgy swoops with micro canopies to the young folks, but I've done RW with people significantly older and younger than me and it's no big deal. I cant think of many sports, let alone extreme ones, where age groups mix so easily. 3772018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver604 0 #28 March 2, 2010 I started at 39 "The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." - Michelangelo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Garycal 0 #29 March 2, 2010 I started at 58 still go every chance I get Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Decodiver 0 #30 March 2, 2010 Quote I started at 41. I hope that's ~mid-life. That's a great quote. Started 19 months ago at the age of 40. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy0689 0 #31 March 2, 2010 I started when I was 38 just over a year ago. Nobody really pays attention to age. I even find that the younger, more experienced jumpers are willing to take me under their wing for a jump or two to teach me a few things. I've learned a lot of stuff from jumpers 10 and 15 years younger than me. It's great. They also do shit I'd never think about doing.Andy I'll believe it when I see it on YouTube! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #32 March 2, 2010 Quote Quote I started at 41. I hope that's ~mid-life. That's a great quote. Started 19 months ago at the age of 40. Actually, now that I think about it, I'm hoping I am just now at "mid-life". The past 18 years have gone by waaaaaayyy too fast! Maybe 59 can be the "new" 41. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkeenan 13 #33 March 2, 2010 Generally, people who pick up the sport at an older age are much more serious and competent than those who are younger. Greater maturity makes one look at safety as a way to stay alive rather than "Stoopid Rules that some Old Guy makes me follow". The pervasive attitude of twenty-somethings that they are infallible and indestructible has contributed to more DZ craters than you can count. Kevin K._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerquo 0 #35 March 2, 2010 I started as a military static line jumper at age 26. I made my first freeefall at 34. Still jumping at 60 and awaiting the onset of middle age. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southern_Man 0 #36 March 2, 2010 Started last fall at age 39. Made my first tandem jump on the first anniversary of my divorce. Now 40 and hope to be in the sport for a long time."What if there were no hypothetical questions?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mad_Jasper 1 #37 March 2, 2010 Completed AFF last December at 38... the same day my dad did his first tandem on his 79th birthday. He'd love to do AFF1 just for the solo canopy ride, but not sure any DZs would accept him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fencebuster 7 #38 March 2, 2010 I started at age 50 -- made a tandem just for grins and to celebrate my 50th. I made a second one and I was hooked. My first tandem was July 27, 2007. I am one of the "old guys" at my DZ, but age does not seem to mean much other than I am likely to take longer to heal if I break myself. As you can see, I really got hooked. Decided I liked teaching so now I am a TI and AFFI.Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hangdiver 1 #39 March 2, 2010 When I was at Eloy the oldest person that I've seen pass AFF level 1 was an 80 year old man. He was a former combat pilot who had one emergency jump, round I assume. He did one tandem then took the FJC on his 80th birthday. I did the video of his jump and he did damn good. He fell to one knee on landing IIRC and was disappointed that he didn't stand it up. Better than I'll be at that age I'm sure! "Mans got to know his limitations" Harry Callahan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drdive 0 #40 March 2, 2010 I did my first 6 years ago at age 51 - it was my daughter's 18th birthday, and I decided to do "one jump" to prove to her the old man could do it too. Scared the crap out of me at the door, and as a bad tandem student, I grabbed the door frame to turn and say "NOOOOOOOO", then we were out. I hit the ground and said "where do I sign up for lessons" I went home, told my girlfriend (now wife), and she said if I could do it, she could. She will hit her 500th soon. "We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub" " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fruitfly 0 #41 March 2, 2010 HAHAHA!! So many great posts! It's such a blast to read these! Love the stories and just hearing how old you were whn you did your first jump...I'm 100% inspired. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #42 March 2, 2010 Quote Hi Everyone, I've decided to pursue an AFF A license at age 46. I'm reading the threads on this forum with great interest and I'm pretty stoked to have found such an adventurous crowd! Just curious~~ I'd love to hear from those who picked up this sport in his/her 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's.... Started at 52 Competed 4 times at nationals. Won a bronze. Been on lots of big formations, most recently on 68-way wingsuit US record. Gravity does all the work.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reno1967 0 #43 March 2, 2010 I completed AFF in November at the age of 42 and now I feel 20 years younger. Good luck and have fun! No regrets..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #44 March 3, 2010 I got back in at age 47 after a 22 year break. Originally started when I was 18. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mpuettman 0 #45 March 3, 2010 I started jumping 9 years ago at age 50 -- just needed a change of scenery... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcbfly 1 #46 March 3, 2010 I was 50 when I started skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drumjack79 0 #47 March 3, 2010 i and the father of my girl start aaf in april 2010. hes 56 years old Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #48 March 3, 2010 Quote I've learned a lot of stuff from jumpers 10 and 15 years younger than me. . Ha! I've learned stuff from a skydiver 37 years younger than me.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppykf 0 #49 March 3, 2010 In regards to skydiving skills ....right? THRIVING IN MY DASH!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #50 March 3, 2010 Quote In regards to skydiving skills ....right? Right. His name is Rook Nelson. He could teach most skydivers a thing or two about skydiving.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
