desertsky

You've gotten good advise from these others, but one more thought - hydration.... I live in a desert climate, so am always conscious of water-loss, but this happens anywhere. Skydiving really zaps the water out of you - both in the plane ride and in freefall. The day before you plan to do another tandem (or even better take the AFF or other student course) - drink at least 10 glasses of water (the day before). Then, on the day of the jump - drink at least 8 ounces of either water or gatorade every hour both before and after the jump. Save the beer until later in the evening! enjoy! *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

Something I've noticed is that at most non-club DZ's (and that is all of them out west where I live and usually jump) - only staff work with students and novices. fun jumpers almost never talk to them or notice them. Coaches are now rated instructors and part of "staff". When I started in the sport at a small DZ - every jumper there was a "coach" or mentor to me at some point while I was learning. Yes, I had specific rated jumpmasters (instructors), but everyone else would give me pointers, ideas, suggestions. I had a problem with just not being able to relax in the air (common to new jumpers), and my instructors weren't coming up with anything new to help - one of the jumpers I had hardly ever spoken to took me aside and taught me some visualization and breathing techniques, then manifested a two-way with me and helped me practice that in the plane. It helped tremendously. that jumper who helped was not "staff" and was not a rated instructor - although he had been years before. If all drop zones could have that "volunteer" club mentality - where everyone watches out for everyone else - that would solve a lot of the problems for students. *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

Actually, with you being relatively new to the sport, a PD with F111 might work out fine for a first canopy. The 170 sounds like the right size for you. you won't be swooping the ponds anytime soon, and the easier packing of F111 may be a very good start. As others mentioned, you'll want to demo it first and find out if it has the characteristics you want. Also, while you're looking for something to call your own for "years" - you may find that you outgrow the PD 170 after a couple hundred jumps - that's okay - in a year or two you can always sell your PD (and it will still be in good condition) - to another novice jumper, and then you'd very likely want to go back to ZP at that time. My opinion - PD is a fine choice for a novice, and you can probably really enjoy it for a year or two, then pass it on to another novice. Good Luck! *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

Jaguar's like the water, and are very playful! Leopards, too I think. *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

Thank you Uncle Sam. I'm sure I would have died by now without these words of wisdom! *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

I just voted for all the way out. Why? Sunday at my home DZ a 4-jump student required a cut away - she extended her arms all the way, but did not fully pull the cables - so, only her right 3-ring release fully disengaged. Luckily, with the large student main, she survived, and will fully recover. But, if she had fully disengaged, her reserve would have been able to inflate and save her the ambulence ride to the Hospital. *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

I've jumped this DZ off and on for 7 years, since it is close to my home, and the small DZ suits my conservative jumping style. With all the emphasis on tandems and students, as the novices progress, they usually head to busier/larger DZ's nearby. This means there is little development and coaching for more experienced jumpers (like me). Still - a great place for students.

I'd ask the kids what they think it means - guide them a little if they need some help, but you'd be surprised what stuff a lot of them really do understand. Let them do the explaining! *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

I'll tell you what I did before I got lasik about 4 years ago. I spent a good deal of cash (like $400) on a really good pair of custom-made prescription glasses. I got custom-frames made of titanium and plastic that fit very close to my face and wrapped around my eyes. Then I got poly-carbonate, shatter-proof, coated lenses. The wrap around design made them cost a bit more too. I would wear these without any goggles, just a coakie and helmet to hold them in place. I never had a problem with them at all. Sometimes my eyes would dry out a little so I'd use eyedrops between jumps. I could see perfectly, and didn't have to mess with goggles over glasses. *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

I think that is why I'm even thinking of getting it. To give back to those just starting out. Last weekend I did a couple of 4-ways with 2 A-licensed and 1 non-licensed new comers. I really enjoyed being able to pass along some of my experience and pick up on some of their jitters. It was also great to see the progress of these newer jumpers from one jump to the next and to help them get more relaxed in the air. *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

I weigh 110 and jump with 8 lbs of weight added. Adding this weight and getting my wing-loading up to 1:1 really helped my landings - they are much better - I can swoop a little now (I don't do serious swooping obviously with a 1:1 wing loading, but before I added weight and downsized I had straight down landings because my canopy stopped dead or sometimes backed up at flare time). I will add more weight (up to 12 lbs.) in freefall too if I'm jumping with real fast fallers. I also use more weight if I'm doing crw and there's a difference in canopy speed with me and my crw partner. And if I'm jumping with a light weight newer student who floats, I don't use the weight belt at all. Get used to it at about 4 lbs first - and see what happens, then add more depending on the situation. *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

Anyone who is a coach..... is there a reason to get a coach rating? A lot of experienced jumpers are better at coaching newbies than others, but I don't think it has anything to do with having that rating. So, what's the point? *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

I've been jumping for 7 years and it bugs the hell out of me that this forum still shows me as a newbie. So, I think that means I have to post something to change that moniker. Here it is! *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

Ask your instructor about this count... Arch thousand Look thousand (look at where the handle is) Reach thousand Pull thousand I like it better than not looking for the handle first. *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz

I don't ever remember feeling "nervous" - even on my first jump. But, I have to say that I didn't start really feeling relaxed and comfy - and much more aware of everything going on around me, until close to a hundred jumps. *********************************** lookin' for that old time, friendly, club-like dz