wendivee

I think next time I go to LB for work (probably Sept) I'll extend my trip through at least Saturday and see what it's like at Elsinore with a LO and more people. :)

Super educational and appreciated, thank you! :)

Dumb Q answered via PM.

Haha! Ok, so now that we have that cleared up, I have to ask a really dumb question... why does the elevation matter? I mean, my alt is set based on ground level, so is it just in how high AGL the plane will go, or...? What am I forgetting/missing here?

Thanks!

Thanks for all the tips! I did end up going to Elsinore, and was able to jump twice before I had to head back for work (one was a hop & pop). I really like Elsinore, everyone was super friendly and helpful, will def hit them up again! :)

Ok thanks! I think it's a little further from where I am so that's why I picked Elsinore, just to save drive time. :)

Great info and advice, thank you! I should be back in the area about once a month, so I'm sure I can stretch some of those visits through the weekend and come have some fun with you guys!!
There are packers there on weekdays too, I hope?

Def a good call on the hop&pop. I think I'll do that first, then if I have time I'll go all the way up after. Thx again!

Hi hi! I'm a freshly stamped A-license as of 7/16 and I'm in Long Beach for work. Turns out I don't need to be at the office until noonish on Wednesday so I thought I'd go out to Elsinore and get in a jump or two - anyone have any tips on this particular DZ and also jumping at a new place in general? I haven't been anywhere except SD AZ before so any help would be super appreciated.

Thanks!

Haha! Yes I'm definitely getting to be pretty great at finding out weather info, lol. Lately SDAZ has been great! Were you at the boogie this weekend? I will for sure hit you up when I get my license, thank you! I have a feeling I'll be out there pretty often. ;)

Sorry I didn't see this reply before. That's so awesome that you load organize. I'm definitely going to need some friends in the sport - figuring out all the things I need to know seems pretty daunting! Were you at the boogie this past weekend?

I had my 16th jump yesterday (4 in one day, which I also did on Saturday - and that was pushing it because the last jump yesterday was super turbulent). My last two I had some line twist - not bad, just clearly twisted as I looked up. I still had plenty of altitude so I let it untwist with maybe a little kick or two from me. I know it's not really much of a malfunction, but it's something that I was scared of, and I didn't panic, so I'm feeling good about it!

Something clicked in me this past weekend and I don't just feel like a person learning how to skydive, I feel like a skydiver, I guess? I'm still scared and get like... butterflies or something every time I think about my next jump, but I know I will do it for sure, there is no doubt about that. Not sure what changed, maybe just more experience and more fun things to do in the air. I am now completely obsessed with all things skydiving. I'm constantly looking up videos of malfunctions, formations, free flying, freefall control tips, whatever I can find. And I'm super excited to get gear. I got a cookie helmet and next up is an altimeter. Do you (or anyone reading this!) have suggestions for altimeters?
Anyway, I hope to see you out there after I'm done with my education. :)
Edit: after I'm done with getting my A license, that is! I doubt I will ever stop learning/being educated.

Totally right, that day was too windy as well. Need to try again this weekend, since I now have a job and have to work on the weekdays! :/

Thank you both for the welcome! I wasn't able to jump today because if crazy winds. Today's lesson was: check the winds BEFORE driving 1.5 hours to your DZ.
Trying again Thursday!

Hi! I just completed my Cat A 2 days ago and I'm SO stoked to keep going and get this on lock! I had to repeat because I froze up and didn't pull, also had some exit issues (but killed it on canopy control and landing). Second try was with only one instructor and I nailed it, for the most part. My second jump was later and there was a dust devil at the edge of the landing area and I overshot and flew RIGHT next to the dust devil, so scary but of course I couldn't turn at that point! I still walked in smooth on my landing, but I have no clue how I managed that, since my instructor's radio went out and there was zero assistance on final. Between that and the feel of the choppier air up higher (as compared to early morning), I felt like that jump gave me some really great experience that someone at my level doesn't normally get to come through unscathed, lol!
I'm going back for Cat B and C on Monday, then I won't be able to jump again for almost 2 weeks, but if I could, I think I'd go up every single day! I'm so hooked!