Wonka13

I knewTHIS was for me the minute I hit the door @ 12,000 ft for the 1st time! Went for my 3rd tandem today (3rd in a month) and absolutely love it! Will be doing AFP/AFF as soon as the weather allows with tunnel time in the interim! Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Chloe- I found myself in a similar situation regarding instant love for the sport last month. Went for my 1st tandem on the 20th of August, went for my 2nd on the 3rd and going for my 3rd tomorrow wth my 4th scheduled for the beginning of next month. My AFF/AFP will have to wait until the spring when the weather improves. It does get in your head & stay there :) Is there any way you can go "every once & a while" until you're finished with your schooling? Though I lack experience in skydiving, I don't in life...your education is extremely important, but how you shape your future is entirely up to you. If you're willing to bear the financial burden of paying back loans after school..cool, if not...don't put yourself in that situation. I hope you figure it out, but make sure you have fun along the way regardless of what you decide. Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

wbk- Happy to hear about Eloy...like I said, heard lots of good things about them from folks, but always good to hear more reviews. Been reading the SIM, but you're absolutely right about paper being easier...especially when I try to read it on my phone. Lol. Copy that about the instructors....was given 2 eyes, 2 ears but only 1 mouth for a reason I suppose :) Would love to head down to Eloy tomorrow, but work precludes that currently...should be a hoot though when I'm finally able to get there! Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Hey there, wbk! I'm a newbie as well, though not as far along as you. Been listening to Skydive Radio & Jump 26 as well as watching every video I can find. Brian Germain's information/videos have helped me learn a great deal in a short period of time. Have you jumped @ Eloy? Planning a trip down there this winter while the weather's nasty in Oregon...have heard great things about the DZ. Any insights you'd care to share with me regarding progress towards the A license or training materials, sites etc. would be more than welcome. Enjoy your new license!! Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Thank you! Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Thanks, guys! I just want to end up well taught and safe (not only for myself, but for the others in the air with me). I appreciate your insight. Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Oh, I do plan on getting some tunnel time in this winter...just waiting for the iFLY in the Portland area to open up. Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'm doing the tandems right now just to be jumping. Winter's fast approaching here in Oregon and the weather will be a huge hinderance in completing the AFP/AFF course and required A license jumps (with the 30 days max between jumps requirement before having to repeat a level or do a refresher jump). I'd like nothing more than to be starting towards my A license tomorrow, but that's going to have to wait until spring. So, right now, I'm doing the tandems just to get my "fix" :) Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Evening all, New to all this (only 2 tandem jumps with a 3rd coming up this Sat & 4th scheduled for the beginning of next month). My question is - Between AFP & AFF, which do those of you with experience believe to be the better course for a new skydiver? There will be a DZ opening up near me this spring that will be offering a version of the AFP and my current DZ (over 2 hrs away) that offers the AFF program. Travel distance truthfully isn't of great concern to me, but the quality of the training certainly is. Any thought on the subject or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

I've been in contact with the folks that are setting up in Sisters...they seem very personable and took the time to answer my silly "newb" questions for me! I have a jump in Eugene on Saturday & then one scheduled on the 9th in Sisters. Will be very nice having a DZ only 15 minutes away from my home!! Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Will do! Thanks, Jerry. Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Thanks, Jerry! I've been following the iFLY Portland, but only knew that it was opening in 2015...great news that it'll be next month! I'd heard that the Madras DZ was slowing down, happy to hear they still have weekend jumps. Do you happen to know if they do AFF courses as well as fun jumps and have you jumped there (if so, your thoughts on them)? Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

Thank you for the welcome! She'd definitely be up for the tunnel, but is still undecided on the whole "jumping out of a plane" idea. She likes it in "theory", but not sure yet. Lol. Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

I'm brand new to this with only 2 jumps (3rd coming up next week) and absolutely love it...wish I woulda started years ago! Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!

I'm in the same boat! Always been an adrenaline junkie & thrill seeker...even decided 26 years ago to make firefighting my career...but I've never experienced sheer joy & excitement doing any outdoor activities like I did doing my first jump. Amazing!! My 1st was on the 20th of August, 2nd on the 3rd of September & will be doing my 3rd next week. After landing the 1st jump, my brain said "you finally found an activity that makes you truly happy". I live in Oregon with my "home" DZ over 2 hours away and with winter coming on soon, opportunities here will be limited for 4-5 months. As a result, I'm planning a trip over the winter to Eloy in order to get my fix. Doing my first jump was definitely a game changer for me! I'm glad you had a great experience as well!! Lead or Follow, but get the hell outta my way!