excuse

I have a 94' Flexon (which is pretty much a Talon...) I take an extra minute or two when I'm tucking in the risers and making sure then are pulled snug before closing the container. I also added 'tuck tab' check to my handle check procedure (even tho I haven't had a problem...) Send Angela at Rigging Innovations a e-mail and ask her if there is something they can do... Mine had "freefly" mods done to it before I bought it and they did an GREAT job! Picture attached is Sandy Reid and I (with my Flexon) at PIA this year. :)

We love our Rangers, and are so excited to have them home. This is a unique event where we can thank our Rangers for everything they do for us and ‘Merica, when honoring those we’ve lost or have been injured by making a charity event out of the celebration. We have sponsors donating some great prizes to be raffled off... Just to list a couple: The Skydiving Outlet-Deland is kicking in a new PD reserve! 30% off a Vector 3 + 15% off options from UPT! 1 year subscription to Blue Skies Magazine! We have two Cessna 182's, but, we need as many people to per-register for this event as we can get... because you guessed it... BIGGER PLANE! Arlo Pace mentioned that there is a rumor of a bad-ass world record holding freefly organizer available for the boogie... Who also works for a major manufacturer, so there might be prizes to offer... Wonder who that might be!?! ;) We are working on the entertainment for after sunset, food, etc, and should know more very soon.

DeLand is not my 'Home' DZ, but I do try to get down there once a month to jump. As long as your not a super shy or a timid person, you'll be fine. The girls in Manifest are awesome and will answer any questions. Even during weekdays you will see all skill levels from teams, to AFF. They have 2 landing areas so plenty of space even when the load is full. Hope this helps some!

My boyfriends 30th B-day was March 14th (2012) and a couple weeks before he kept asking for ideas on what to do... I'm not sure what made me say "lets go skydiving..." But I did... We went to DeLand and did our first jump on his b-day... I acted like I wasn't all that into it (but I was) on April 4th, did two more tandems at The Jumping Place in St. Marys (2 hours closer to home)... End of May started AFF (at TJP)... Less than a year after my first tandem, I graduated AFF, got my A, got my own gear, got my B, have done 2 night jumps, been to 5 different Drop Zones, and have 104 jumps to date. I have loved every second and would not have changed a thing!

I actually did 3 tandems before I started AFF. The last 2 was with the same TI (who ended up being one of my AFF-I) Because I told him I wanted to AFF, but really wanted to do 2 more tandems first (we did them back to back in the same day.) They spent extra time with me. I wore an altimeter, and was instructed to lock on at 6k and pull at 5,500... It was not exactly what you would call tandem progression, but I did get to pull, and helped with flaring for landing (along with the canopy ride down). Just tell them you do what to do AFF, just not yet, they wont mind spending extra time answering questions. And for what it is worth... Going solo is not as bad as you think it is going to be. You will do fine, and have HOURS of training before your first jump. I'm going to go with your friends and say do AFF... :)

Brian Germain will be doing a canopy control course at The Jumping Place in Statesboro, GA this weekend (December 15 & 16). Call Cathy with questions or to sign up, (912) 322-7282

I’m still new to the sport. I started AFF the end of May and was signed off to solo self supervision in July (I was only getting about one AFF jump a week so it took FOREVER!!!) Now I’ve got my A license and I’m working on my B. But, I can totally relate. On the ground I loved every thing about skydiving… I tell people that AFF is just like school… When you leave the plane you have homework on the way down, and no one really likes homework! When it was my turn to go up, my nerves kicked in and all of a sudden I wasn’t thinking how much I loved to skydive. I did keep at it, and it wasn’t until my diving exit on the 6th AFF that I started to be ok with it. And my 7th AFF, “graduation jump”, my nerves seem to finally take a back seat. They were still there, but I had more confidence that I knew what I was doing. My first or second solo jump I had line twist, yes only a nuisance, but I didn’t even have to think about what I needed to do, I just reacted with pulling the risers and kicking it out. Everyone that has posted I have agreed 100% with their statements. I, too, was terrified of the door until I was on my 4th or 5th solo (it made it worse when everyone would yell DOOOOOOR!) And skydiving is not for everyone, but if you want to do it, and continue to jump, your nerves will get better. A good saying “I have not conquered fear, but I kick it in the nuts every time I skydive.” (which is soooo true!) And as far as your main not opening… You have been taught the skills what to do if that happens. Review them, practice them, and watch videos of cutaways so you can see what others do in that situation, its muscle memory! And yes, packing is important too!

The Jumping Place was located in St. Marys, GA but moved to Stateboro, GA the first part of September. What a great move, the airport is HUGE! Their new hanger is amazing, so much space, then even have rooms (with AC) for manifest, shop and video, and AFF. The best part about this DZ... From the moment you walk in, you are part of the family. The instructors are very hands on and you honestly get 'one on one' training. The DZO (pack'n Cathy) is also an instructor and a pilot, and she does not like the plane on the ground!!! There are fun jumpers of all levels that come by to jump, best way to see what is going on at the DZ is to check their facebook. Or give the number above a call, Cathy is the one that will answer! Love this place!!

Thank You!!! We will do our best!

We have a spur of the moment boogie at The Jumping Place in Statesboro, GA, September 28-30. This was originally going to be in Saint Mary's, GA. We have moved it to the new location, this happens to be the same weekend that Georgia Southern has their Fall Family Weekend and every hotel room within a 20 mile radius is book... Not to worry, we found a few sites left at an RV park a few miles from the DZ. Saturday night (the 29th) DeFunk YoSoul will be playing, and our buddy Jeff who owns Coastal Kitchen Raw Bar on St. Simons Island will be providing some amazing food! I have also posted this on the events page. Please let me know if you can make it out for a day, or spend the weekend with us.

6 year building the business there. Customer base. Cost, risk, lost business. And the amazing views!