gunsmokex

Yes I'm going to start working on planking today. I'll think about yoga. I do definitely see the benefit though plus well umm yoga pants rule! But yes I totally see where becoming an expert on planking will help me out tremendously especially in my arch. I'm not proud of this but well I'm going to just be honest. I kind of deployed upside down or sideways, either way I wasn't stable. It was my first 5 sec delay which turned into ~8-10 secs. I was arching like a mofo as if my life depended on it but it wasn't good enough because my body wanted to remain upside down, I deployed when I thought I felt like I was sideways but I definitely was not stable and had a great opening. No line twists and it felt like a nice soft opening I was expecting something very bad to happen but had a great canopy overhead, exit '5000 under canopy ~3750. No my flares have always been pretty decent I've been standing up my landings on days with 5-14mph winds. I think my problem was that I flared at the same height on a day with very little wind and I've had the same thing before as well on a flare before with little to no wind. I was focused on staying away from concrete and making very subtle minor adjustments. I did give it a good hard full flare though, just too low I think. I hate making all these damn excuses but it was the first time for me flaring a different chute as well as this was my first time on the transition rig with BOC pilot chute. Anyways yeah my legs are still a little sore and they feel exactly the same that I did this on a low wind day with a little pain right down the front center of the shins aggravated more by pointing my toes down. So yeah ugh I'm going to get in better shape and start with planking so I get the perfect hard arch. One other question does it help to "pre-arch" while hanging off the strut? One of the other students passed onto me that is what he does and I never did get a chance to ask my instructor that day. As in tightening up the gluts to get the legs back before I arch my head up and let go. Was just curious.

Ok so my body isn't quite as young as it used to be and isn't quite as quick to recover. This past weekend I came in for landing and had my first ass landing trying to flare a canopy that I had never flown before. Anyways as much as I'd like to think that I'm in the same shape as I was 10 yrs ago I'm not. Even when I PLF'd a couple of landings a while ago I've noticed soreness in weird places. Actually the main one in my shin, kind of like it smarts just a bit if you were to say step on the gas using you toes or pointing your toes down headed down the stairs and up and along the very front of the shin (anyone had that before or know what that is?) Anyways does anyone know of any good core strengtheing exercises and exercises for my leg that I can do just at home to get my body a little more prepared to take the landings that just don't go perfect? Websites something like that. I guess I'm just. That and muscle groups to focus on for freefalling as I'm just getting to my delays.

I'm going to work on getting you some pictures from what is left of an old drop zone in 60's and talk to some members to find out more about its history. Its kind of eerie feeling seeing those old buildings in the middle of green pasture.

Just thought I'd update you all. Got my PRCP and got my first clear and pull! Went perfectly smooth. Just had to slow myself down and focused on the arch. Hopefully the weather will be nice for another clear and pull and onto my 10 sec delay this weekend. Only thing that freaked me out was I realized that the longer I don't pull the faster I will be going so I went at PRCP pace and pulled a bit quicker than I probably should have, but all is good. I'm happy to finally have earned the title of being called a "skydiver" since I lost my static line umbilical cord!

Our dropzone encourages us to purchase an altimeter and goggles as a student. You definitely shouldn't feel like you are stepping on anyones toes by buying your own alti. Kawisixer's quote is exactly how my brain thinks, its been trained that way since I learned how to read a clock and then later as he says in a tachometer. If I get a mal I don't want to have to worry about glancing over at a digital alti for a brief milisecond and then have to worry on if I misread a number or not ex: 1800' vs 1000' or whatever anyway it puts my mind at ease and its one less thing to have to worry about. There is no mistaking the needle pointing to a number even if I glance at it for a milisecond, I guess I just want less shit to worry about as a student. I went a step further though and went with a black faced Viplo with a yellow housing. I know thats kind of picky but there is a reason yellow and black is used in constuction zones. Its easier to see. In fact I find it kind of odd that more black faced analog altis aren't out there. Viplo was the only maker I found with them so far.

*face palm* Ugh yes I meant risers. That would suck to get a bridle bruise lol, no even quit sure if that's possible but that be one hell of a mal. Great advice that's what my instructors have said as well. It just an natural reaction that I have to stabilize myself so I almost do it instinctively. This time I WILL finish it. Thanks Becky. Andy yes they did I guess I didn't elaborate more than what I said. But basically keeping the upper body still in one symetrical fluid motion as I go for my pull. I think the best advice I got last time which I plan on doing this time is to just relax arch for one second and then go for my pull. So I will focus on my arch. I've already messed up getting turned over a bit because instead of putting my hand on my head I barely moved it causing me to turn slightly which caused me to completely mess up. So I know NOT to do that again. I also know not to go too slow, did that once and no ludicrous speed pulls! Mainly though in my own mindset to get myself calmed down and in focus, I am going to arch and then let my muscle memory take over after a nice arch ignoring the risers and the parachute and grab that sucker again! Anyways jumping tommorrow again! Didn't jump last week the wind was a little too gusty and no jumping. Weather looks perfect for tomorrow though! Blue skies!!

Just wondering if anyone has any advice for helping a guy who keeps f*in up his PRCP's I've gotten two successful PRCP's and they felt really good, great arch went sweet. The other fails I tried to go too damn fast to try and and grab my fake ripcord before the bridles come out. Guess its just the stop of momentum that gets me because a couple of times I've had it in my hand pulled it 1/2 way and then let go to reach up the instinctively grab the bridles. Not sure why I do this but I did get some damn good bridle bruises once or twice on my shoulders. Anyways I think I'm only overly stressing myself about it, been told I just need to calm down and relax, less Mtn Dew and less cigarettes lol. But I just wanted to ask if anyone has any advice, tips, pointers or exercies they give their students on static line. I plan on practicing about 100 of them arching against a wall Fri and another 100 on so Sat morn before jumping on Sat. On the plus side I think I'm starting to the get the hang of piloting the canopy and better at flaring in different wind conditions. Thanks

Its in the SIM Section 4-3 Part D no 2. part c. 2. Liability release a. Each participant will also be required to agree to and sign a liability release. b. This release will verify that the person understands that there is risk involved in skydiving and that the participant freely agrees to accept that risk. c. The legal release will usually contain a contract or covenant by which the participant agrees not to sue the skydiving school or anyone else if the participant is injured. However I'm just speaking from a student peon standpoint but that my only point of reference so far. I'm sure thats in the SIM somewhere. Hell I'll even bet somewhere is the meaning life in this SIM manual!

Just thought I'd put a post on here. As a kid I will always remember watching skydivers drop in from above on our football field, its an image engrained in my mind and I imagine a lot of peoples. Well I never really thought that I'd be the one falling from the sky, but here I am thanks to a great bunch of people that are showing me the ropes out at SkyDive Adventures in Luverne, MN. Took a static line class and have been working on my PRCP's. Anyways I'm happy to be a part of this great community and can't wait to get to freefall. I did get some tunnel time in at I_FLY in Seattle which was a blast but I guess I'd rather jump out of a plane! Can't wait to attend a boogie too, the winters get a little cold up here and well I know a 95mph windchill on my snowmobile doesn't feel too good on exposed skin so it'll give me an excuse to head south this winter for a few days. I'll be heading out to Seatlle for the Oakland/Seatlle game on Nov 2nd and would like to possibly get a jump in out there. Also plan on heading down to Oklahoma City a time to two to visit my bro so will be looking for a dropzone down there. I don't have any equipment yet so would be looking to rent. Anyways hopefully the weather cooperates up here and I'll be jumping and nailing my PRCP in about 5hrs! Take care and Blue Skies!! Justin