Mild_Matt

Meh - well my folks know I'm gay Do we not skydive as well as you breeders or are you just being a git? My folks were seriously pissed off when I told them I was going to try and learn to skydive. Having returned home, after stalling at level 5 (go figure re above comment...) but having seen footage of me doing it, they are now more relaxed about me doing wind tunnel time and going out to try and complete. I guess they just needed to understand this isn't some crazy death wish, just something I wanted to do...

Well, I went to Spain, I wasn't exactly a natural! My arch wasn't great, I struggled a bit and stalled at Level 5. Tried it three times but couldn't hook up stability and both 360 degree turns. Hey ho. I absolutely loved it. Always found the ride to altitude nervy but basically everything else was simply superb. Planning to head back early next year to try and progress after some wind tunnel time to work on my arch and practice controlled rotation. The one thing I was worried most about was canopy work. Now I'm back I realise that's easy under a massive canopy. That was the bit I was actually good at! Pretty much stuck most of my landings which was a minor source of pleasure. Have to say everyone at FFU were brilliant. Lots of support, 'tough love' when needed. Can't recommend them highly enough! Basically I can't wait to get back. I climb and stuff, albeit I'm not very good, but nothing even compares to the buzz of this!

Thanks all, and Ken (Kent/Ken, shoulda got that!), oh I'll have a blast whatever, will be sure to report back hopefully with future plans involving continued jumping..!

Haha! I was supposed to do a tandem, bought one for a mate's 40th and said I'd do it too. The great British summer cancelled it twice due to crap weather. The plan was always do that, see if I enjoy it, then go to learn to do it for real. But since I didn't get that chance, just decided to do it!

Thanks guys, really looking forward to it and hope enjoy it enough to keep jumping! Yeah, radio assistance is what I'm very much looking forward to with the learning canopy piloting thing. Glad you had a blast there Kent (I read a review of somebody jumping with their son, presumably you, which helped me decide where to jump when I was lurking!) I'm sure it'll be fantastic

Hey hey - off to do my AFF at Freefall University Spain in about 10 days. Absolutely buzzing about it! Wanted to do this for ages, never really had the chance. Circumstances this year have given me that and I can't wait! Any tips? I'm, perhaps weirdly, not at all concerned about the jumping out of a plane thing (I rock climb, falling isn't anything new although this type of falling kinda is...) I'm more worried about piloting and landing a canopy to be honest... Sure all will go well though. Hope I love it as much as I expect and keep jumping!