Tela

Hell yea! Welcome to your new addiction. Make sure to LISTEN to other jumpers on the ground. You'll learn a metric shit-ton just from listening and asking the occasional question. It only gets better from here. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

How will you address the fact that many DZ's become micro-communities? I've had several non-jumpers refer to the "sky-fam" as a cult. If you're studying addition/mental illness you know the about the links between the two, but your survey didn't seem to contain anything that correlated to the social environment. My home DZ is literally a second home during the season, with it's own set of social norms and rules apart from "the real world". Just something to think about as you write that conclusion. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

I bet he's a better packer than me already, too. Amazing what they absorb. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

I got my license at 37 and the lead up to doing my recurrency jump after 6 months of snow and no jumping, was butterfly city. I told my instructor that I was a mess...I was trying to find a reason not to get in the plane...by the time we hit 1,000 feet in that tiny little 206 (nearly all my jumps are out of an Otter) I was relaxing more with every foot of altitude. By 3K I was smiling and ready to go. The long and short of it is time off allows our nerves to jump back up to jump 2 levels. Once you're out the door, or climbing to altitude even you'll feel better. Skydiving can be scary for us newbies when we are on the ground, in the air we tend to remember why we keep doing it. To a 'man', everyone I've talked to about this exact feeling says they experience it if they go awhile between jumps. That includes 2 of my AFFI's who both have over 5K jumps. You are not even close to alone on this one. Relax, smile, Arch, relax smile and pull. You be back in the saddle having fun as soon. Blues and here's to an early spring for all us northern DZ folks. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

The way it was explained to me was that above 10k you have jets and turbine aircraft that fly significantly faster than piston aircraft. Hence, you need to be able to see further to really ensure clear skies and no traffic. Below 10k planes are generally slower, so up high 5 miles. Think about it like crossing a street in your neighborhood vs crossing a highway. I don't know Dutch specific rules, but the general principals still apply. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Why not add Maine to your list and do AFF at Skydive New England? They have a nice twin Otter, awesome instructors and a great vibe at night with on site camping. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

How could you screw up after having a whole 60 seconds of practice??? Every jump is different and there is so much to learn. My first 20 jumps everything seemed to be happening at light speed, I bet it's the same for you right now. Relax and try not to let your head be your worst enemy. I redid my level 1 after having both instructors with their hands in my face (giving me legs out) and me doing nothing. The retry, freefall went ok, but I landed in a tree. DOH. I went on to redo level 4, level 5 took me three tries. One of my instructors (who has thousands of jumps and is an incredible flyer) told me he almost quit after redoing level 4 SIX times. You're going to learn more from your mistakes than your successes. I made it harder and take longer to get my A because I was so hard on myself mentally. Relax, relax, relax. A videographer sat me down and explained that even if you passed all seven levels and did all your solos/coach jumps perfectly, you would still have had less than a half and hour of practice in freefall. Did your high school gym class make you an Olympic basketball player or archer? See my point? You are going to make mistakes, screw up dive flows and redo some levels/jumps. The more you get mad at yourself the more you'll redo. Tunnel and dirt diving are great practice for the physical part of the jump, but (for me) the hard part is getting the head to relax and quit freaking out. You sound like you've got the determination to do it. Be determined to allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. The more you jump the easier it seems to get. I was a mess all the way through finishing level 5 (on my 11th jump), then all of a sudden my head quieted down, I smiled and levels 6 & 7 were easy. There are a ton of us who know how you're feeling and have been there. You'll be fine. Keep trying, relax and smile. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

If we haven't met yet, we will. Sounds like you're off to a great start. Yes, a lot of it is a mental game "Each jump you gain a few more brain cells". Dustin is a wealth of info and is great at keeping it laid back. Meagan, oh my god, awesome, sassy, smart, great teacher and a ton of fun. I'll be up Friday for night jumps and I'm doing a canopy course Saturday, so if you're going well "formally" meet this weekend. I'll be the long haired hippie rocking the helmet with the Rebel Alliance (Star Wars) paint job during jumping and sippin whiskey at night. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

You have less than 4 minutes of practice in freefall, don't be to hard on yourself. I redid level 1 and then redid level 4, level 5 took 3 tries. Ever been ice skating? Were you flying around the pond after 5 minutes doing hockey stops and cross overs? This sport takes patience and humility, trust me I learned that the hard way. I used to beat myself up for every f**k up, that never helped me do it better the next time. Remember when you have to redo a level, it means you have to go jump out of an airplane and that just doesn't suck. Relax as much as you can. Have fun. Force yourself to smile in freefall, it's harder to be tense when you're smiling and don't over think it. Engineers think about how to fly, but pilots fly by feel while the Engineers watch. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Hey Kim, you picked a great place to do your AFF. Meagan, Jackie, Freddie and the whole crew at SNE rock. I got my A last season there and honestly can't say enough good things about them. Don't stress about being perfect or failing levels, you won't be perfect and most of us repeat levels. Hell, I redid level 1, level 4, level 5 took me 3 tries and now I'm licensed. You can learn as much on the ground talking to people as you can in the air, and I encourage you to listen and ask questions whenever you're not prepping for a jump. Waiting and frustration are part of the journey for most of us during AFF. I'll be there almost every weekend this season, so we're sure to meet. Relax, be patient and have fun. I'll see you around and don't hesitate to ask anyone any questions. I fought "the door monster" and hearing others did too made it easier to get through. Now I can't wait to get in the door, that's where the fun starts. -Mike "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

I did 2 tandems and then AFF the next season. Just got my A in September. Do some tunnel time and at most 1 more tandem. You'll need the extra money for alti, helmet, suit. .. Plus, you have to take off the training wheels at some point, why delay. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

You should try the air in Maine in the summer! We're basically at sea level so 13,500 is routine for our Otter, but the humidity is the killer. It's not uncommon to have humidity above 80%. Some days the temps will hit 90+ and the humidity is right there with it (90%+). It's like breathing water and flying in soup. Still beats roofing houses. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Hey Doc, I just got my A license@ SNE. I can tell you that the nerves and weird feelings really do settle down. It was probably around jump 20 that it really changed for me. I had to gut it out and keep jumping. Then one day I realized the past couple jumps had been different, things felt normal. It's. A game of keeping going until it becomes natural. You spent how long practicing stitches before tbey felt normal? Well at this point you only have about 6 minutes of practice freefalling. If you want to skydive, push yourself through thhe point of half an hour of practice and then reevaluate. Talk with other low number jumpers, we feel what you're talking about. Good luck Quote "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Figured I should come back and put the end cap on this thread. I did my check dive yesterday and an now an officially licensed skydiver. In the end it took me about 4 1/2 months to get it all done. Those of you who are reading this while your going through AFF, show some patience. You'll learn a lot in the air, it gets easier and that's when it starts to get really fun. That said you can learn a shit load more on the ground. Talk with the experienced jumpers. Listen to them chat to one another. Pick peoples brains when you're on a weather hold. I have learned so much about canopy flying while on the ground that I've been able to avoid puddles and trees and land near my target almost every jump. Huge thanks to all those at SNE who've helped me out this year. Be safe y'all and Blue Skies "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

PLEASE, DO NOT AVOID YOUR FRIENDS. They are your friends for a reason. They care about you and would rather be there for you than be wondering when you're not there. Take strength from them. Talk with them. If there isn't a specific thing they can "do" tell them that, but for your safety and their sanity do not shut them out. In my friends isolation has caused a downward spiral more often than not. Please, for everyone's sake get back around people who care. Tell them that the only thing they can do is shoot the shit and tell dirty jokes if that's what it takes. When I don't hear from or see my family that suffers like you, I get scared and worry. Exercise, eat well, talk to the doc's and keep your friends in the loop. You are not alone. There are millions of people who fight just like you, everyday and there are millions of us who will fight with you. This disease sucks, but we can manage it as micro-communities. I can't promise a cure or that I can fly to where you are, but I do promise to make people aware of what life is like and help everyone I can. Keep fighting "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Good job reaching out. I have several people very very close to me who struggle with depression and anxiety and they're tough diseases. Diet is a HUGE part of managing any disease and for may counseling and/or therapy make a huge difference. You are not alone in this daily battle. Keep reaching out and fighting. Always look for things and people to help you stay strong and keep going. In the "genie in a bottle" scenario my first wish would be for all those who suffer from depression/anxiety to be able to see themselves as their friends see them. We know how much you all mean to this world and to us. I always ask one friend to do me one favor, "be here tomorrow" and if she doesn't think she can be, "call me immediately". The hours long drives I've made have been completely worth ever second to continue to have her in my life. "It is rare to realize how much you have taught the people in your life and just how much you mean to them." Keep fighting and reaching out for help. With love and hope, a brother "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Finally cleared for solo's!!! Had to redo my level 4 and level 5 took three tries, but once I got past that I had figured it out. Lots still to work on, but what a great feeling it was to jump without an instructor and having to pass a level. Longest ff of my life. Clean diving exit, followed by a backflip, 2 360's and some forward movement and I was still at 9K. This weekend begins the coach jumps that my friends have been waiting to take me on all summer and I couldn't be more stoked. It looks like I'll actually be able to get my A done before the snow flies. Yipeeeeee "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Welcome to the skys, I just got cleared for solo jumps last weekend and hope to have my A license done by seasons end. At my DZ the AFF jumps include all the gear as part of the price. You're going to start on a huge canopy and work your way down anyway, so there is no reason to buy anything just yet. The biggest piece of advise I can give you is to RELAX. I had to redo some levels because I was fighting the wind. More than likely you'll end up redoing a couple levels as well. Don't sweat it. After having done level 5 3 times levels 6 and 7 were a breeze and super fun. If you can hit the tunnel. It's a great training tool. Check with the instructors at your DZ and go with them. Have fun and stay out of the trees. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Dumb would be blaming someone else for your problems/mistakes. You sound persistent and willing to work at learning to me. I did not pass my first try at level 4 last Tuesday and am going back tomorrow to try again. You've only failed if you've quit and the time it takes you to learn is not listed on any dive flow I've seen. Every "failure" is still a skydive, as long as you're having fun and staying safe this noob says KEEP JUMPING. I admire the work you're putting in more than the friends who passed every level the first time. Thanks for reminding the rest of us it's not the number of times it takes but the determination and persistance to succeed. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Welcome Nick, I'm a noob here in the US a full time student and self employed, so I know about the cost problems. It took me a year to save up for a package deal at the DZ for my first 8 jumps. Here's what I did. First I told myself that I had to get at least a 3.40 GPA to earn the right to drop that kind of cash. That really helped me focus on studying for physics and chemistry finals. Second every week I put $20 into an envelope labeled AFF. If I went out to the bars I would finish a drink and take out my wallet and decide money for a drink or AFF. If I chose drink the bartender got the money, AFF I put it in a side pocket until I got home to cram it in the envelope. It became a regular habit to only have 3 drinks when out and have $20 going into AFF. It took all winter, but when spring came I had the cash and raced to get it out of my hands and onto my account. If you really want to jump you can find ways to make it work. Set goals and you can pull off just about anything that you want bad enough. Good luck "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Made it back up for levels 2 and 3 the weekend after getting personal with that tree. Exits keep getting better and the nerves come later and later in the climb to altitude. I found out just how much thermals can mess with you when you've got a 300 overhead. I was floating at 4K for a solid 45 seconds and had to turn a 360 to start descending again. Both jumps went great and I'm really starting to feel the proper body position and notice when I'm not right. Level 2 exit I kicked my feet going out the door, but got stable pretty fast and only had small hand signals to correct body position. I made my turns as clean as one can hope with 2 anchors holding on. My 1/2 hour in the tunnel made that so much easier. I loved the feeling of straightening out my legs and getting the forward push. Flew a good pattern with minimal radio assistance. Was ready to PLF the landing when my feet slid out from under me on the wet grass (early load and the grass still had dew on it) and ended up sliding in on my butt. Had a good debrief and loaded up to do level 3. My exit keeps getting easier. I almost didn't kick at all this time on exit. Was able to get stable fast and only had 1 signal to respond to, my arms just want to slide forward, but less each time. I dropped my left elbow on my practice pull and have been working on that on the ground. Arched hard to get stable then my instructors let go. It took me a few seconds to realize they were hands off. What a confidence boost that was. Maintained it until just before pull time when I think I dropped a knee a tiny bit and started to turn. My instructors had already moved back in and just lightly grabbed on as I pulled. Almost no radio chatter this time and I was deliberate and planned in all my moves. Flared a little to fast on final but still thought I was going to run it out until I tripped on a rock and ended up sliding in and tweaking an ankle. Had to take some time off to finish letting the back heal (and ankle now) and get some work done in the real world. Heading back next week for level 4 and beyond. My boss is usually a real hard ass but he's letting me take an extra day off to jump when I get back from a family camping trip on Sunday. Sometimes it's good to be self-employed. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Second try I Nailed it!! Well, the ff part, made a dumb mistake on my downwind and ended up joining the Arborists club via a 10' scrub birch. Tweaked my back a little but nothing ice, stretching and a visit to the chiropractor won't fix in a day or two. I was able to keep my brain inside my skull for the whole jump and was way more mindful of my head on exit and my legs the whole time. In my instructors words it was a "boring skydive". We spent more time just falling belly down and enjoying the view than anything. Spent the rest of the day debriefing with coaches and friends (since I wasn't going back up with a balky back) to go over my decision making, what I did right and wrong. Heading to the tunnel tomorrow to prep for the next few levels and develop some muscle memory. The sign as you drive into the DZ is so true: "Welcome to your new Addiction" Blue Skys y'all and here's to learning something new on every jump. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

"Jewell of Wilson's foul domain" it's what we named my current pooch. A reminder of the simple joys of life and staying relaxed and alert. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

I did a solid exit count. Then looked down as I exited causing a reverse arch and instantly realized it and went "superman", arms out legs straight. Recovered somewhat and then didn't respond to the legs out signal as they curled up to 90 degrees. Had both instructors with hands in my face and thought I was moving my legs, they weren't listening (my legs that is). Main side instructor had to start my practice pulls, assist on the second, I nailed the 3rd practice pull. I didn't correct my legs and arms stated well forward. I locked on @ 7,200 and waved off and pulled on time at 6K. The pull felt smooth and great. Once in ff there was no fear. My mind just couldn't catch up to my fat ass until 8K. My main side instructor said it was because I was all amped up and that would get easier with each jump. Even typing about it I start to vibrate with eagerness to get back up and do better. Gotta jump to learn and learn to jump. See y'all in the sky. I'll be the one yelling "look up,legs out, look up, arch, look up, legs out" with a shit eating grin from ear to ear. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."

Well one year and two days after my first tandem I finally got my first jump done. I spent the year listening and learning (and saving up) and did it. I knew my first big stumbling block was going to be the door, but I did way better than anticipated controlling the fear. My exit was lousy and I had multiple body position problems in the air. I need to build up some muscle memory for my arms and legs to help with that. Fortunately my instructors gave me tips and ways to practice before my next jump. I'll be redoing level one. Usually I'd be pissed at myself about failing something, but I'm totally fine with this "failure". I know what I did wrong and now I can work on fixing it. I was shocked how fast freefall went by. Brain overload made 13,500 to 8,000 seem like it only took 2 seconds. Once I hit 8K my brain caught up and I was able to think again. Locked on at 7K and waved off with a clean pull @6. The canopy ride was smooth and I had a clean soft PLF on a no wind landing. If you're lurking and getting ready for your first jump (like I did), the biggest thing I can say to add to what your instructors have told you is that it happens fast. Don't think you have time between COA and Practice touches, you don't. Do them back to back and have have fun. Hoping to get back up on Friday and get level 1 and maybe even level 2 done. Blue skies Y'all and if you're in New England, Skydive New England is an awesome place to jump. Great staff, top notch instructors, and a totally awesome vibe. "The lizards were a race of people practically extinct from doing things smart people don't do."