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I passed Levels 1 & 2!! After all my talk about "not sure I can do it", "scared to death", etc., and after all of the encouragement here, I thought I should post my success story. I did it and loved it!! I think a key factor, other than the support on this forum (STILL laughing at mattjw916's post), is finding a good DZ, listening to the instructors, and learning all you can about the sport. The First Jump Course helped calm most of my fears for the Level 1 jump. So, here is my Level 1 jump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qpoFxB4X6Y&feature=share&list=UU-eqoP4U03Ev-w3oAqboIZw Obviously, I've got some major work ahead of me, but I'm so looking forward to it and hoping to do my Level 3 & 4 this weekend!

Wish you well!

I got the same thing. A lot of "you're crazy" remarks especially since I am a 56 year old female just starting. I've even had a few friends cry when they knew I was going to jump. Then one day, I was crossing a bridge over the lake here and saw a bass boat going about 60mph, and it occurred to me - danger is a relative term. (I even had a t-shirt made with that on it.) Everyone here is used to seeing these fast bass boats that could hit a wave & flip over. But of course, to them, that's normal and skydiving is dangerous. I just name off a few common sports we see here (or know that they enjoy), and that will usually work. And I emphasis all the training that you go through. I think it's just a lack of understanding and lack of perspective of the sport.

Skydive Dallas. I just finished the first jump course there and actually did my Level 1 & 2. They are excellent. Very professional and knowledgeable. I don't think you could find any better.

I have gone through many of the same doubts as you (and then some) because of my late start in life. But I have been obsessed with skydiving ever since I watched my first wingsuit video in November of 2011. I started the AFF and had to put it off for a year. I had major doubts and kept telling myself I was crazy for even thinking about doing this. However, all of the advice and reference materials recommended here have been invaluable in helping me continue on. The real breakthrough was 2 weeks ago when I went through the First Jump Course at Skydive Dallas. You learn, practice, learn some more, practice, learn.....you get the idea. Go through the course and use your obsession to study and practice what your instructors tell you to do. It helped me tremendously.

Glad to hear you had a better day.

Hey - welcome! I started last year at 55, had to take a break & am starting back. I LOVE it! I am just getting back from skydive Dallas. I took the first jump course & was supposed to jump today but wind speed was too high. I have been surprised at the number of women who are starting later in life. There are some great exercise suggestions here also. (When I first posted, I said I was starting at 57, but should have said 56 but I couldn't change it. Anyway, glad to see you here. You will find a lot of great people here!

Congratulations! And then what???

There were so many encouraging posts in my "so this is why....". You might read some of them. Also, someone posted a link to a girl's log when she first started & she had a difficult time, but stayed with it & now competes. I'll try to repost that. So exciting to hear of your determination & progress!

I'm liking that whole "dudette" thing. It's not so girlie girl. That should have been my username:)

I think I'm going to be fine. Cautious, yes, but I'm ready to go for it. Right after I posted that and started getting messages, I considered deleting the post. What I didn't know is that I couldn't delete it after a few hours. So here I am. The GREAT thing about it is I have learned a lot, laughed a lot and also, and this is major - considered the things that I did right in a difficult situation that were a result of training and will remember them forever. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Ha! Good point!

Ok, great advice. I'm sure that will be my mantra. Along with Altitude, arch, legs, relax:)

You know - you are absolutely right. I never really thought that through, but even though I was spinning and tumbling in the freefall, I remembered to check my altimeter and pull at about 5500' (if/when it happens again, I will pull sooner), and even though I had line twists and was spinning with the canopy, I was able to get out of it (my only regret is that cutting away didn't enter my mind, but it WILL next time) and even though I was way off course and couldn't find the drop zone (I wound up almost exactly a mile north), I avoided trees, roof tops, a pond, heavy equipment yard, power lines, and I located an open field and landed safely. Probably a miracle, yes, but definitely a matter of good training also.

I know. He was really good. Very active throughout all the sessions.

Thank you!! It was so much fun. It showed me I could be stable. On my last day, I made the decision to start the course again.

I can definitely see improvement from my first day! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOZB-3keVlI&feature=share&list=UU-eqoP4U03Ev-w3oAqboIZw

I know. I know. I've straightened up & am flying right now. Can't wait!!!

Thank you! Checking it out now!

I'm sure he did the best he could. There's no telling what he was thinking as he saw me spin away!

Yes, I can see all that now. I'm glad I had the video to review. I spent some time in a tunnel last month, and with the help of a very patient coach, I finally learned to arch. I'm going to a different dropzone this time and just starting over.

Yes, you're right. I really had no idea how to arch, and my legs were all wrong. The tunnel helped me tremendously with that.

Great points and perspective. You're right. I learned A LOT from that one jump. Guess I never looked at it that way. I'll check out the S/L while I'm in Dallas.

The canopy was definitely not flying relatively straight. I could have sworn one time it was out from my feet, but I guess that would have been impossible.