elightle 8 #1 January 25, 2005 I just bought a used Body Suit with fat grippers. I float unless I wear weights and I'm wondering if the super fat grippers will add to my floating, especially my legs. Anybody ever had this problem? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bliston 0 #2 January 25, 2005 Yeah, Ed, big grippers (and booties) can affect your fall rate. Guys like us are destined to wear weights - at least for four way. I made my own weight belt with neoprene across the back and some light padding, getting one that is comfortable makes all the difference. We get back at the fast fallers doing four way in the tunnel, though. They keep bouncin' off the grate and chewing up their jump suits every time someone disrupts the airflow. If you wear all your weights in the front and bunch them as close to your belly button as you can, it'll help you go faster than with the same amount of weight all the way around. Don't know for sure why, but having all the weight in the front also seems to help so people with stability. BenMass Defiance 4-wayFS website sticks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elightle 8 #3 January 25, 2005 Ben, thanks for the info. I hope I didn't just make a mistake by buying a suit with large grippers. It would be hard to have large grippers replaced with smaller ones. Your thoughts? - Ed - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bliston 0 #4 January 25, 2005 Stick with the big ones, it'll be easier for teammates, or people you are jumping with, if you are doing piece turns. Just add another pound or two. Might as well get used to it now. Don't forget to be aware of any aggressive landings if don't jump with weights for a while and then through them on. 8 - 12 lbs. makes a big difference! BenMass Defiance 4-wayFS website sticks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elightle 8 #5 January 25, 2005 Ben, I'll keep the big grippers. Heck, I already wear 16.5 lbs. What's another 1.5 lbs, right. Of course, this year I might need to go lighter. I've put on a few pounds for the first time in several years. I'm also jumping a Stiletto 120 for the first time with an exit weight of nearly 170 lbs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vibeke 0 #6 January 26, 2005 When I got big grippers on my suit it made me floaty too. However the grippers are well worth it in my opinion. I also purchased a custommade belt, fits me great and don't bother me at all. I also keep all the weight on the front - its simply a matter of aerodynamics. Also - I found that during the times when I stretch regularly, I need less weight, probably as I arch harder with less effort. _________________________________________________________ Your success and happiness, is in direct proportions to your commitment to excellence, regardless of your chosen field of endeavour. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elightle 8 #7 January 26, 2005 vibeke, Thanks so much for confirming what some people said I was just imagining. Only another floaty person would understand. I wear so much weight that I can't put it all in the front. But it fits comfortably around my waist. I'll keep the fat grippers and do some stretching exercises. Blues to ya! - Ed - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedassSkychic 0 #8 January 27, 2005 QuoteStick with the big ones, it'll be easier for teammates, or people you are jumping with, if you are doing piece turns. Ben It shouldn't matter what size gripers you have, they aren't there for people to "hang on" to, they should be flying their slot... jump with someone else if they need a big gripper to stay where they're supposed to be "If toast always lands butter-side down, and cats always land on their feet, what happens if you strap toast on the back of a cat and drop it?" --Steven Wright Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vibeke 0 #9 January 27, 2005 You clearly have not considered the added drag the grippers will produce. Bigger surface = slower fallrate unless you take action to compensate! Besides - big grippers is also preferred by the top elite teams. Do you think their main reason for this is that they don't know how to fly their body?! ...No, the bigger grippers is just easier when turning pieces and catching grips when things goes fast. If you are more quickly on, you can be faster off it and on your way to next point! _________________________________________________________ Your success and happiness, is in direct proportions to your commitment to excellence, regardless of your chosen field of endeavour. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedassSkychic 0 #10 January 27, 2005 QuoteBesides - big grippers is also preferred by the top elite teams. Do you think their main reason for this is that they don't know how to fly their body?! ...No, the bigger grippers is just easier when turning pieces and catching grips when things goes fast. If you are more quickly on, you can be faster off it and on your way to next point! Why is that? i dont have alot of experience, but my thought is that in order to "get on" a grip, all you have to do is touch it. (this is an honest question, not trying to be a smart ass). I've never really understood the point of those huge grippers. of course i would never get them since they're about the same size as my arm, haha, but obviously that wouldnt be an issue for some people Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elightle 8 #11 January 27, 2005 In competition, the judges have to be convinced that you have a grip. You can't just lay your hand on a gripper and call it a point. I'll see how it goes with the big grippers - can't jump until Spring though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blazetailman 0 #12 January 27, 2005 Big grippers are more for the heavy piece turning of yarding your piece partner around. Laying on hands or "monkey hooking" the legs is a much bigger target and faster to get on and off while also showing to the judges. If you are doing fun 4way and bigways. Get smaller grippers to help with the fallrate. But if competitive 4way is something you want to pursue, beefy grippers are somthing you and your teammates are going to enjoy.www.canopyflightcenter.com www.skydivesac.com www.guanofreefly.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JumpRu 14 #13 January 27, 2005 Big Grippers works great for exits and some blocks plus they make you look professional Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bliston 0 #14 January 28, 2005 You're right and wrong at the same time. Random work should be "light" and all other jumpers should be doing in lightly touching grips - my team focusses on this a great deal on the creepers and in the air. The inner moves of blocks, though, are a whole different ball game. Thicker and heavier grippers allow piece partners to be aggressive in their moves without fear of losing hold of one another. Valid question, though. Ben MDMass Defiance 4-wayFS website sticks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elightle 8 #15 January 28, 2005 Thanks to all of you for the information on fat vs. small grippers. I have definitely learned something, especially about "laying hands on a gripper" being legal in competition. Guess it all has to do with control, huh. Blues! - Ed - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedassSkychic 0 #16 February 1, 2005 thanks. I have little to no experience with turning peices, so that explains why i had a hard time understanding that. I'm looking forward to doing more blocks and finding out what you mean! Morgan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
