I have my "A"!!! What a difference a Dropzone can make...

[skycat 0]

WOO HOO!!!!!! *happy boo dance*

I'm so glad you tried Elsinore, I knew a change in DZ would help!!!! You made it over the hump, you have your A and it's all down hill from here. Don't ever worry about your abilities, you will be smoking in no time, especially with all the people you will get to know from here who will be lining up to jump with you. (It's about time you started posting).



btw...you still need to tell me who the skygod instructor was so I can kick him in the shins when I'm out at the end of the month.

Fly it like you stole it!

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Hey everyone...there's no competition, none at all! Zero. Zip! Zilch, nada!

Thank you, Michelle! (I am not competitive with women because I am too busy being proud of them.) I would love to meet you soon, but I am not going to be there today, Saturday. (I guess that I read your post too late.) I have a doctor's appointment, and the weather is a disappointment for us all. However, happy birthday!!! If you are still there tomorrow, then we will meet!

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Hey Kelli!!! Funny running into you here (Finally, huh?) My guy saw my video of Jump 20, yesterday, and he claims that I was very good! Of course, he is not biased.

btw...you still need to tell me who the skygod instructor was so I can kick him in the shins when I'm out at the end of the month.

Oh, I'd rather never say who he is (hint...think Napoleon complex). I actually LOVED most of the instructors at "that" dropzone, so I hope that no one is offended. It was just one person (who is normally quite outgoing and fun) that said that he felt that I will not be able to cope with high stress situations well. He felt that I couldn't possibly enjoy skydiving and that maybe I am doing this for the wrong reasons.WTF!?!
I think that he found out that my guy skydives. People tend to think that a woman couldn't possibly decide to do this on her own!
In reality, I began skydiving on my own, and my boyfriend & I began dating after I was going through the AFF progression. It is such a sexist view that some people have about us girlie girls skydiving. Don't they know that women skydivers ROCK!!!

[SanDiegoRW 0]

I'll be at Elsinore tomorrow

-Kenny

[skymedic 0]

Hey congrats on your A!!!!

good job on checking out another DZ. I had a similar problem to your's. one of my AFF instructors as Skydive Sebastian was a complete asshole. never helped me with my confidence at all. the amazing thing is I talked to one of the other instructors out there and ended up jumping the rest of the time with 3 other great guys, Scott, Craig, Sinno, oh and Patrick also....I absolutely love and miss that dropzone due to those 4 guys....but I think the jerk ended up leaving anyway...so tis all good now.

congrats again...and if ya ever make it to the midwest I'll buy ya a beer!!!!!

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[ladyskydiver 0]

Congrats on your 'A'.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Congrats on your 'A'.

Thank you sooo much, Lady! I couldn't sleep, so I logged on to see this wonderful support from you and the others.

Thank you JohnnyD, Robskydiv, Beemertec, Skymedic and everyone else!

To: San Diego RW
Were you at Elsinore on Sunday? I was wondering if you ever made it. I was there wearing many thick (easily cold) layers & full jeans under a used RW jumpsuit (Could I look any chunkier?) that I purchased at Ground Zero. I was there with the old Taft crew on the right side of the grassy area. I jumped three 2-ways and one solo, which for me was a lot. It was wonderful! I hope that you also had a great time! :)

[SanDiegoRW 0]

Yeah I was there. I had no clue where to find you though. I was in the packing area pretty much the entire time I wasn't jumping. I was wearing a red and yellow checkered bomber F/F suit. I had a really good time. I did two 4-ways, a 3-way and two 2-ways. I'm not used to so many good lookin skygirls running around, maybe I should stay away from Elsinore so I don't get into any trouble.

-Kenny

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

I was wearing a red and yellow checkered bomber F/F suit.

Gosh, I don't remember who was wearing what, but I agree that there were many pretty skygirls! I'm sure that you had a blast! (Did you see the gorgeous almost nude tandems? LOL!)
Anyway, my guy and his buds are freeflyers, too! I want to eventually Freefly, so I hope that if we end up at the same place again; my friends and I can jump with you, too! Our main crew is Tad (my guy), who's bald with a mostly white (w/ black and gray strips on sides) 2-piece FF suit. His bud, Kelley is also bald w/a mostly white (w/blue/black stripes) FF suit. Ronnie (now jumps at Monterey) has dirty-blonde hair and a black FF w/ red/orange flames on side. Ronnie's girl Haley (newbie) is very, very skinny w/ blue 2-piece FF suit. My FF suit (black, white and powder blue stripe) is to be ready tomorrow, but on last Sunday I wore (too) many layers & jeans under a green/black RW suit. I am totally new to this, so I don't yet know what discipline I will pursue most.
Anyway, it sucks that we missed you. I will look out for your FF suit the next time that you're up here!

[jumperconway 0]

Hi Rosa,
Congrats on stickin' with it and gettin' the "A". A few years ago I did a fun jump tandem then AFF at a DZ that isn't my home DZ now. It took me 4 months to get my first 4 solo's in. I was at that DZ every Saturday and Sunday but picked a bad winter to deside to start. I failed level 1(lack of altitude awareness, went low)jm pulled me, passed level 1 on the next jump a week later. Failed level 2(lack of AA again) a month and a half later. Another long time before another attempt at level 2 I failed again because I couldn't reach the hackey on this huge rig that they had me in so when I de-arched to reach it, they pulled me again even though I actually pulled my self. Unaware that they had pulled for me, I was stoked. At the debrief, they told me what I didn't what I didn't know. I didn't go back for a couple of months and just did a safety refresher and never went back. I stayed away from diving almost 2 years before hearing of the death of one of my JM's(suicide)before trying a different DZ. Within about a month I got my "A". I test jumped my first rig on #12 and never jumped at that DZ again. I found my home DZ on jump 13 on my 42nd birthday. In the last 2 1/2 years I have accumulated 1270+ jumps, been in the Texas state record 120 way attempts,Texas POPs 62way record and tons of formation loads. I didnt have your tennacity to stick with it the first time. Remember this is a learning process and that there will be highs and lows, but don't give up! I'm still kickin' myself for quitting the first time. Good luck and I'm glad that you found a DZ more to your liking. Drop me a note when you do your 100th!
Blue skies and soft landings,
Conway 1272

[Clownburner 0]

Well, next time you're at Elsinore, feel free to look me up and we'll do a jump.. I just got my A about a month ago, so I still kind of suck, but I'm always up for a 2-way!

7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez
"I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

[Casie 0]

Congrats on getting your "A"! That's a big accomplishement. I too am hard on myself...hey, it's not a forgiving sport ya know. Ya have to be. As soon as I'm at the door of the plane all my crappy feelings go away. It sounds like everything is working out smoothly. Enjoy jumping & congrats again!

~Porn Kitty
WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts!

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Congrats on stickin' with it and gettin' the "A".

Thank you, Jumperconway! For sure, I will let you know when I get my 100th! :)

Thank you, Clownburner and Casie for the kind words! :)

You sweet people on the forum have given me the strength to feel a healthy confidence within myself! It almost brings me to tears every time that I hear from one of you or when I think that I came soooo close to not jumping anymore. It sounds corny, but the quote "wind beneath my wings" comes to my mind when I think of all of you. I think that I will definitely try to make it to the Memorial Day Boogie to pass out the hugs to you all...

[livendive 8]

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This is my first time posting (BEER!) after lurking due to shyness. I wanted to share my experiences with other skydivers, instead of only with my whuffo friends and family (whom I love anyway ). Yesterday, I completed 20 jumps, and I passed all my requirements for my "A" license! I am sooo proud as I tend to be hard on myself and my skills.
Like many new jumpers, I have had a hard time with the mental part of skydiving. I have had many episodes on the plane ride to altitude when I mentally told myself that if I survived this jump that this would be my last time as there was just no rational reason for doing this to myself, to my pocket book and to those that love me. It always revolved around my anxiety of having to "perform" for the instructor. The fear of not having the proper skills and the lack of confidence of possessing the proper judgment to jump safely were other obstacles of confidence that I had to overcome. Of course, once out the door, an inner peace and freedom always rushed back to greet me on the other side. What I mistakenly thought was surely death reaching out to yank me out of the sky was in reality life in its most affirming form. It is where the busy, superficial world as I know it stops, and my luring dance with the harsh realities of the violence of our earths elements begin. I have to say that I now feel that the elements are not dominant, but an aid to my physical desires. (I am ready to tango wind, come and embrace me once again.)
Each jump is truly a humbling experience that has made me respect the earth and myself on a higher level. For someone that is as analytical (almost obsessive, at times) as I can be, I am at peace knowing that each time that I jump, I have to "give in" to living only within the moment.
One of the most heavily impacting feelings that I experience when jumping is one of my soul, body and mind "giving in" to an undeniable emotional, mental and physical freedom, while simultaneously realizing that I still have control over my fate within the skydive...and within my life. It is the feeling of wonder at the sight of what a beautiful, celestial horizon looks like while shooting your body across towards the endlessness of its circumference. It is just...heavenly and so miraculous a vision to behold the swirling colors of light and beauty dangling before our eyes.
Thinking back to the first time that I jumped (AFF 1), I always well up with tears at the remembrance of the emotions that poured out of me for weeks afterwards. I was like a pinata bursting open, and I was able to claim revelations of feelings that I had about life, work and relationships that I never knew existed inside of me. I was in shock for a few days afterwards, but then the dam broke, and I cried easily and heavily after that for silly reasons that existed in my life as I knew it. Then, the fog lifted from my eyes and from my heart, and certain things in my life seemed so clear. The wind seemed to be whispering in my ear that anything is possible. Life has endless possibilities.
I almost stopped jumping at my 17th jump (a few weeks ago). I had strange experiences that left me feeling so low at a large, well-known dropzone that I had gone to after my old one had closed down. I was made to feel (by a certain "skygod" instructor at the larger dropzone) that I had no business jumping at his dropzone, after being trained in a non-USPA dropzone. (However, I silently forgive him as he probably didn't mean to hurt me so deeply with his judgments/words.) I was in tears questioning my skills and not-jumping for weeks, but the reality is that there were no issues with my skills. I just had 2 (out of 3) not-too-great, rushed skydives at this new dropzone that I have to chalk up to nervousness at being made to feel that my skills could not be too good (before we even went up) and to being away from home/supportive jumpers. I have had many prior experiences (cutaway, landing out, etc.) that I had handled very well and which had not made me emotional or upset. Anyway, as I stated previously, I am so hard on myself that I need support from others, especially my instructors. Walking in by myself to a huge, new dropzone filled with skygods as a small, shy, not too confident (I'm working on this) woman is extremely difficult to do. I am so glad that I decided to go to a third dropzone. It is the best of both worlds as it is a more laid-back, welcoming dropzone, but also USPA-recognized with experienced, talented staff.
Yesterday, I went in at almost 2 p.m. thinking that I may jump once, and with no expectations. This may have been my last jump ever if I didn't feel that I enjoyed it anymore. I met my instructor, and we quickly reviewed and went up on loads 6, 7,and 9 (last load). He was so supportive and made me feel that I did a great job every time. My skydives with him were so much fun, and my landings were so well-done that my confidence in my abilities is now where it should be. I passed all my requirements, finished my 20th jump and received my stamp for my "A" license.
I woke up this morning with a huge smile on my face. It is the first thing that I thought of, and the last when I finally went to sleep at 3 a.m.
I owe so much to this new dropzone (Elsinore) and to my instructor (Mauro a.k.a.Yoyo). I hope to call this new place my home dropzone. I can't wait to go back. However, I still have unfinished business.
I know that someday, I will want to be able to feel comfortable jumping (every now and then) at the larger dropzone where I had felt uncomfortable and unsure of myself. I just feel that I am not mentally there, yet. It's OK. I'm going to take it one step at a time..

Hi Rosa, welcome to dropzone.com How are you? Please let me know if you'd like me to show you around the site.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[NWFlyer 2]

Stalk much, Dave?

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Remster 24]

Try to keep the pure sillyness into Bonfire guys. Thx.

Remster

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

I wasn't even online when this was bumped back earlier today. I had someone PM me about this post earlier today. She was sweetly and profusely thanking me for this post and telling me that it helped her. I was definitely wondering how she had managed to look it up. I decided to reread it due to nostalgia. I didn't realize that Dave had bumped it until just NOW.

Thankfully, it helped someone.

[intheclouds 0]

Congratulations on your A!!

[JustRelax 0]

I trained with my wife at a small DZ but it shut down too and now go to another bigger one. I also visited a big DZ in California and a couple of others in other countries.

I had a great experience with the DZ where we trained. We were like a family and we just loved hanging out there.

It seems to me like DZs have different cultures. My guess is this has to do with whether an owner is involved in a friendly way or not and whether the key staff are people that make people feel welcome. If they are involved in a friendly way then the DZ will be friendlier, if not then the skygod sindrome may establish as part of the culture and then people like you and me feel out of it. One way in this situation is to have your own little group of friend skydivers and go together to a DZ like that - then you can have fun together anyway.

I was disulisioned after my good experience. I thought all skydivers and DZs would be as good. Now I feel that it is a matter of the DZ culture and like all groups of any kind they vary and it makes total okay sense to decide to find a DZ with a friendly inclusive culture because that is where you are going to have the most fun.

As with all cultures big is usually less personal. If it is a bid DZ and friendly and welcoming then it is something exceptionally special. It sounds like the DZ you now like is a bit like that.

I think your sensitivity is beautiful, because it enables you to feel and appreciate the wonder of skydiving. If I ever got to meet you and jump with you one day it would be an honour and I am sure there are others who will feel the same way. Don't give up, just also work on finding DZs that are good for you - you are doing that

________________________________________
Taking risk is part of living well - it's best to learn from other peoples mistakes, rather than your own.

[dgskydive 0]

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It seems to me like DZs have different cultures.

Very true.

Quote

If they are involved in a friendly way then the DZ will be friendlier, if not then the skygod sindrome may establish as part of the culture and then people like you and me feel out of it. One way in this situation is to have your own little group of friend skydivers and go together to a DZ like that - then you can have fun together anyway.

I have found recently that in a lot of cases where someone is considered a Sky God or a group of Sky Gods is just what you talked about....... A small group of friends.

I was recently told by a girl that I am seeing right now, that one of her friends told her that I hung out with the Sky God group at Perris. I was a bit dis-heartned by that. 1st becasue the person that told her that doesn't even know me, and the people that I hang with and jump with are some of the most freindly people on the DZ. They may want more out of there jumps then others do and maybe put a bit more into getting better then others, but by no means are they "Sky Gods" We just have a bit more of the A type personality for the most part. Most of the people that she named are LO's and tunnel organizers, that try to help others and get involved in the DZ as much as possible. Most of these people actually think that they are not that good and are trying to get better every jump.

If you bring your own group of friends with you to the DZ, that is great and have a wonderful time. Take a minute and introduce your self to the "SKy Gods" and get to know them. Once you do, you will see that most of these people are wonderful, they just happen to have a desire to get better for there own personal satisfaction. Most of them enjoy helping a new people get involved with the DZ and help them get better.

Dom

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Thank you, everyone, but this is a very old post. I have no idea why, but someone chose to bump it up now almost 2 years later. Although I have never had issues with my flying skills, getting in the right place mentally to skydive has always been a very big challenge for me, especially when I first began to fly. In the beginning, there were some times when I had no fear (like on a couple of AFFs and my first few solos), but then my DZ closed down, when I had only about 14 jumps.

That was what this thread was about...how I was nervous again about being at a new DZ. Since I have chronic illnesses and take medications, the school at the new DZ was nervous about letting my jump. The fact that my original DZ was non-USPA made them even more worried (some people openly scoffed my old DZ, which is what led me to the whole "skygod" labels for them), and that was before I ever jumped at this DZ at all. Honestly, it's something that I have never again felt at that DZ.

Since then, I have had an absolutely wonderful time jumping at Perris, which I consider my second home DZ. I have no issues with "skygods", not at Perris, nor at Elsinore, which I consider my first home DZ. Not even at Skydive Arizona...heck the Airspeed guys, John Hamilton (Elsinore) and Dan B.C. (Perris) are some of the most supportive and down-to-earth people that I have ever met. I love them all and feel very comfortable around all of them.

I have traveled to new DZs (driven, flown, etc.) as a very new jumper, completely by myself. It was because I am shy, that I forced myself to do things like that and to meet new skydivers at boogies, as well as experience different surroundings to jump in. Now, I am not shy around people, when I go to new DZs. At this point, I usually run into other jumpers, whom I already know from prior boogies, skill-building camps, etc. I am certainly not shy to fly with anyone, either. It's always a blast to fly with new people and to challenge oneself.

***The timing was right for me when I first began to skydive. I made some big changes in my life and MADE it be the right time and situation for me, even when and if it was not. In May of 2004, I had 183 jumps in a year, and right after the Memorial Day weekend, I broke an ankle. I was depressed, but then I began to realize all that was and could be in my life when not jumping. Due to various other reasons in my life, I have not been flying again regularly. I have decided due to these many, many reasons (including my own health and the health of some people whom I love dearly and want to spend more time with, as well as finances, etc.) to stop skydiving for a while, perhaps for good. It pains me to be unable to fly as much as I'd like to fly, so I'd rather not fly at all. Besides, I'm all about safety, and I would feel unsafe flying every so often and being less current than I feel comfortable being when jumping.

Skydiving is something that I will terribly miss, but I have many (good) things going on in my life right now. Besides, even though it's no way as beautiful and fulfilling as skydiving, I may still fly in the tunnel, every now and then.

Bumping this thread makes me sad...melancholy over the fact that I will not be skydiving anymore. I've only decided to stop about a week ago. Yet, it's the right thing for me to do right now. My friends and mentors in this sport support me fully, so I hope to not get flooded with PMs from strangers. If I really need to, I can always return to it. Thanks everyone.

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Quote

I was recently told by a girl that I am seeing right now, that one of her friends told her that I hung out with the Sky God group at Perris. I was a bit dis-heartned by that. 1st becasue the person that told her that doesn't even know me, and the people that I hang with and jump with are some of the most freindly people on the DZ. They may want more out of there jumps then others do and maybe put a bit more into getting better then others, but by no means are they "Sky Gods" We just have a bit more of the A type personality for the most part. Most of the people that she named are LO's and tunnel organizers, that try to help others and get involved in the DZ as much as possible. Most of these people actually think that they are not that good and are trying to get better every jump.

I completely agree with you, Dom. Also, it's wonderful how you, your friends and your teammates coach and encourage less experienced and up and coming new jumpers. Don't ever change, and don't take what was said about you personally. You have always been encouraging, and I and others always have enjoyed flying with you because we enjoy pushing ourselves. It would be horrible to fly with someone who expected anything less than the best from us. Know that most of us newer jumpers do look up to and appreciate you guys. The same goes for my Elsinore coaches/mentors/friends, like Mel, Erin, Lou, Hammo, etc. (Great role models, all of you from both DZs!)

[flyangel2 2]

Quote

They may want more out of there jumps then others do and maybe put a bit more into getting better then others, but by no means are they "Sky Gods"

There it is in a nutshell. At one time I was on a four way team, training hard. We had to stay focused during the day in order to improve our skydives. There really isn't time to be a social butterfly between loads. Some people mistake that for being stuck up or being a skygod.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[flyinghonu 0]

Quote

Of course, once out the door, an inner peace and freedom always rushed back to greet me on the other side. What I mistakenly thought was surely death reaching out to yank me out of the sky was in reality life in its most affirming form. It is where the busy, superficial world as I know it stops, and my luring dance with the harsh realities of the violence of our earths elements begin. I have to say that I now feel that the elements are not dominant, but an aid to my physical desires. (I am ready to tango wind, come and embrace me once again.)
Each jump is truly a humbling experience that has made me respect the earth and myself on a higher level. For someone that is as analytical (almost obsessive, at times) as I can be, I am at peace knowing that each time that I jump, I have to "give in" to living only within the moment.
One of the most heavily impacting feelings that I experience when jumping is one of my soul, body and mind "giving in" to an undeniable emotional, mental and physical freedom, while simultaneously realizing that I still have control over my fate within the skydive...and within my life. It is the feeling of wonder at the sight of what a beautiful, celestial horizon looks like while shooting your body across towards the endlessness of its circumference. It is just...heavenly and so miraculous a vision to behold the swirling colors of light and beauty dangling before our eyes.....
Then, the fog lifted from my eyes and from my heart, and certain things in my life seemed so clear. The wind seemed to be whispering in my ear that anything is possible. Life has endless possibilities...

I never saw your original post but want you to know that you seem to have captured EXACTLY how skydiving makes me feel. Although I know you are struggling with your difficult decision right now, I hope you find some comfort in the fact that your post was incredibly inspiring to me (and to others I'm sure). The apprehensions you talked about as a new jumper seem universal...its nice to see someone with the confidence to put it in writing. I'm not as articulate as you or others on this site, but I hope you understand what reading your post has done for me . Thank you Rosa

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[heidihagen 0]

hey rosa!!
i never got to see this (until now) because i wasn't around back then, but i'm so glad somebody bumped it... so beautifully written! i remember when you helped me prepare for my trip to ca (i was braaand new on here--i can't thank you enough by the way).

i didn't realize you went through a similar experience a few years ago. i stayed at dz 1 for five months before moving to dz2 & 3 (i like both! 3 is home). i'm still crazy about most of the people @ dz1, but really love my home dz even though it's not the closest.

whoever said skydiving is its own culture, you're probably right. finding the right dz makes a world of difference... especially while you're a student...
i wish you weren't leaving the sport, but maybe i'll get to see ya when i'm out there in december? i enjoyed reading this

i didn't lose my mind, i sold it on ebay. .:need a container to fit 5'4", 110 lb. cypres ready & able to fit a 170 main (or slightly smaller):.[/ce