Kanga86

Oh awesome. lol So glad to hear the video is available to show people what not to do. Oh well. Not too shabby for my first real jump. And I did have a blast! At least I can laugh about it. I can't wait to jump with more new friends. And to get better. And to actually look like what a skydiver should look like in the air. Haha Like everyone says, this is just the beginning. Looking forward to many more years of jumping and all of the other exciting things that come from being involved in the sport. No boogies for me quite yet. But soon!

Well, I think it's time for an update. I started AFF in the middle of January and here I am now...a real skydiver. I got my A License yesterday! Words can't describe how happy I am. I've met so many people and learned so many things in these short weeks, and not just in skydiving. It has literally changed my life and I can't wait until I can move closer to the DZ. After my check dive, I did a sunset 4-way jump. It was perfect. Well okay, the 4-way broke up and ended in a 2-way but it was still one of the most fun jumps I've had so far. I can't wait to go back! The moment I drive onto the DZ, it's like I can finally relax and I feel right at home. I'm in love with all of it. LOVING it!!!!!

Thank you for that. I feel better about welcoming my second tandem and instructor with open arms. No shame. Maybe I'll even learn a thing or two. And if I do what makes me happy, the relationship stuff either will follow or won't matter. At this point in my life, no one will define or restrict my happiness.

Not offended at all, my friend. Quite the opposite. I feel like I'm offending all you fine folks by doing a second tandem. But it just so happens to be all I can work with at the moment. And hopefully by the end of January, I'll be flying solo and telling other future students that tandems are lame. I imagine I'll be falling on my ass, face, probably anything but my feet. lol I think I'll probably only be able to go the DZ once a week. Tragic. Those trailers on the DZ are looking more and more like a cozy place to call home. Bring on the moving trucks!

You speak a lot of truth. I loved my first tandem. Loved my instructor (no old man). And I didn't have to do a damn thing but pick my feet up in the end and fly the canopy a little. It was nice to not have to do any work for a change. But in all honesty, I just can't get a day off work between now and January to do ground school. So it's one of the only options I have to get back up in the sky. I couldn't go another month and a half without jumping, even if I do have to be stuck to someone else.

I had been reading through this topic for a few weeks now and thought I had some ideas of my own. Don't spend all your time and money on it. Set some aside for your family/significant other. But I recently had a talk with my boyfriend about skydiving. I want to do my AFF in January and want to do a tandem and tunnel time before that so I can be ready. (And let's be honest, I just want to fly.) He wants to support me and come watch but hates that it would eat up some of our time together. I told him I could do my stuff on my days off during the week, but he doesn't want me to do it alone. He wants to be there. So basically he is unhappy no matter what option I throw at him. Pair that with the normal relationship problems, I can already see the countdown to the "I can't do this anymore" scenario. So now I get it when most of you say that it's best to stay single or date/marry a skydiver.

Again, I appreciate all the advice. Going to iFLY sounds like a great idea. I've been watching some AFF videos and noticed that a lot of people are wobbly. I'm sure that's normal, but I don't mind being extra prepared. But wow! The cost took me by surprise. Luckily my job has been giving out overtime like candy. Though, because of our lack of staff, it has been hard to get time off. With that, the upcoming holidays, and the unfortunate hour and a half drive to the DZ, I'll have to stick with a January AFF plan. I should be able to take a chunk of time off work at that time. Until then, I'll keep watching videos for pointers, maybe log some tunnel time, drive up to Zephyrhills for a day during Thanksgiving and Christmas time to spectate and learn, and work like crazy so I have plenty of jump money. These next two months will fly by, I'm sure. I'm so excited!!!

Thanks for the input.

I had my first tandem jump at the end of September. I wasn’t nervous at all, just excited. It took a few weeks to realize that I had done something really incredible; but when it finally hit me, it was like being hit with a wave. All of a sudden, I wanted to know everything about skydiving. I want to be on every plane that I see on my way to and from work. I search the internet for videos and stories and anything else that will fulfill my desire to jump again. People tell me that this high will eventually start to fade, but I see no end to it. And I don’t want it to end! I am planning to do my second tandem in December (to confirm my love for it) and hope to start AFF in Zephyrhills very soon after that. I am a little nervous about AFF, but a good nervous I think. I’ll welcome any advice and encouraging words. I’m just so excited to start this new journey and to be a part of such a unique and tight-knit community.