Blong801

thank you thank you!

haven't seen this video in a few months, wanted to show a friend. can anyone shoot me a link. thanks friends, blue skies.

Today was an awesome day of skydiving. I finally received my A license. It took me 32 jumps to achieve it, but I was in no rush, being done at 25 wasn't the goal for me. What made this day an awesome day was all the things I was exposed to and overcame. Today I did my first hop n pop at 3500' and on my own pack job, I've only packed two jumps for myself. I also had my first canopy mal, a line twist after a good opening (2 twists). I have been wanting to do a hop n pop for several weeks now and wasn't disappointed, one of the most exciting jumps I've done. These exposures were in two separate jumps, the h/p couldn't have gone better, was an awesome jump. The mal was a cause of downsizing, and being too aggressive. I've been wanting to downsize canopy throughout my student status I went from a 260-240-220 in these 32 jumps, I weigh 185-180lbs and 6' tall. I thought I was being conservative on my first downsize 260-240. the change wasn't that significant, and didn't change my canopy control or landings that much, but there was a small difference. I figured I was ready for the change to 220 shortly after that. The mal happened like this, it was completely an error on my fault, expecting a more significant change, and like getting a newer, faster, sportier car, I floored it. I wanted to find out what this canopy could do, and what was in store for the future, downsizing and more aggressive canopy control. the opening was fine, did a canopy control check. fine.. then I hit the gas, pulled the right toggle to the hip, and then the right to the left down to the hip. I got tossed almost fully above my canopy, and lines began spinning as I fell back underneath it. My heart skipped a beat, my first mal. WHAT DO I DO? KICK IT OUT! I was proud of myself for being able to think calmly under pressure. checked my alt, tried to kick it out, didn't work, grabbed my lines and kicked, finally got myself back to some straight lines. flew back to the landing zone and made my landing. I'm grateful that I was able to land safe and was able to learn from this mistake. I've read a lot about being extremely conservative with canopy downsizing, but you get complacent as a student, and I wanted change. I also checked with instructors about the downsizing and they passed it off, so I think I was just too aggressive with my canopy control. is there canopy control classes out there? I would like to learn more about what I can do under the canopy, its as much fun to me as the freefall. Id like to hear your opinions on what and where you would steer a newly licensed skydiver. I'm in no rush to free fly and enjoy the RW. id like to be a well rounded diver and like being active.

sean, i was in the same position you are a couple months ago. i had the money to buy a full face and wanted one, but held off because i really didn't know how far i wanted to go in this sport, its hard to make that decision just after one tandem. also most times you'll need to do a 2nd tandem and they wont let you wear a hard helmet, just the leather ones. (the TI doesn't want to get smacked in the face with a hard helmet) i would ad least go through the AFF before i bought any gear. i bought my full faced around 20-25 jumps, the instructors have had no problem with it, i bought it from my local DZ. i got the phantom X and would recommend it.

haha, crazy moms! yes im sure she will jump again and i would love to jump out with her, the video would be priceless.

Hello All! Here's the short story... When i was 13, my mother tells me and my sister shes jumping out of an airplane. as a teenager, im thinking... what kind of a mother would do this to a child? now at 23, i understand. So i did my first tandem after turning 23 this year, and for some reason i kept finding myself wanting to be at the DZ. Soon enough me and my novice friends did our 2nd together and finally our solo 3rd! Each jump has been more thrilling then the last, and on my first jump after graduation, i finally felt like i was skydiving, my terms, my choice. I hope this feeling continues through my jumps. This sport is unlike any other, its full of safety, respect, humility, and unmeasurable amounts of FUN! I never thought i would stumble upon such an amazing adventure. I want to thank all of you for uploading all your knowledge, wisdom, and opinions, they do not go to waste!