Hi All,
I’m the guy from Belarus living in the Netherlands.
A few months ago I was bored and start reading around Reddit until I somehow ended up on the discussion about wingsuit on /r/SkyDiving/. I was totally blown away by the complexity of it, 200 jumps before even try to fly some silly squirrel suit!
I start reading and watching videos about other skydiving disciplines. I didn’t notice how my whole Saturday and a good chunk of Sunday night disappeared:)
Then I read the book of Brian Germain “Transcending Fear: The Doorway to Freedom. It was one of turning points when I said to myself: stop reading and watching stuff and get to the air, man!
So a month later it was tandem jump: the door, first 5s of free fall, full sensory overload. I don’t remember free fall except for the surprising loud noise of the relative wind. But when canopy opened, it was pure joy, happiness, the beauty of our planet from 5000ft and the very quiet whisper of wind of pressurized canopy.
When we landed, I was the happiest man on the Earth. I watch the video later and god damn it, I never saw grin like that!
So I was soo happy that I forgot everything. Including my wallet at DZ. I knew that it’s not cheep sport, but I literally left all of my money after first jump!
Last weekend I started and finished my AFF in 3 days, 7 jumps. Did my first solo in the last AFF day as well.
It was a hell of a ride! Especially last day, 5 jumps (4 AFF and first solo). Weather was pretty “interesting”, around 0C at some time it was even snowing.
Now after some rest and getting my thoughts together, I can say - guys, the sport, lifestyle, and community are awesome!
I’m so looking forward to discovering skydiving: my of solo jumps, some FS, some canopy piloting. You know, just taking my time, learning the sport, not rushing to get 200 jumps to put squirrel suite
My thoughts for anyone going to AFF, I wonder if experienced jumpers might agree with some of them:
Try tandem, even if it’s not part of AFF. It’s the easiest change to understand if you will like it. Also, get a video of it, you will never be able to do the first jump again. So, nice to get some memories, plus your face on video, I bet it will be hilarious.
Get some tunnel time. 15+ minutes was kind of OK for me, still AFF my instructors sometimes called me “flying banana”, as my body was bend and spinning like hell sometimes.
Watch some videos of AFF/A progression jumps, so you are aware of what will happen. USPA A progression is great collection https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5NtYTSapvjCHmvvIPPRAX2Aww18lLGM5
Try to complete AFF fast if you can, it’s not best if you return after a month of the first jump - you forget everything.
Instructors often(all the time?) also jumping tandems, so priority will go to tandem all the time. Because of that - be around them on the DZ all the time and try to get on all possible loads (if you are ready for the next level). I was kind of waiting and relaxed on my first 2 days that’s why I made only 3 jumps. But on last day I was always on DZ always ready and always poking instructors when they pass by. So I finished the day with 5 jumps.
If you are crazy like me and want to start as early in the season as possible - make sure you dressed well. Flying through snow is fun but hanging like icicle under canopy for 5 minutes are not. And on exit altitude, it will be colder (7C drop per 4000ft or so)
Drink water, and something hot as well.
Eat well but not too full. Quick cracker after landing helped me to regain energy.
Always check your rig when you get it and before the jump.
Always ask someone to check you, the instructor will do it anyway, but its good habit to control it yourself and not waiting/hoping someone will do the job. It’s an active sport, meaning you have to be active and in control.
A most important part of the program of your jumps is always one - pull. Don’t let it happen that instructor pull for you, altitude awareness first, moves and other stuff second.
Don’t flare too high, look on the horizon. When you thinking that you gonna hit the ground it’s usually too high still. Count to 3 (oh shit - oh shit - oh shit - flare!)
Don’t drink alcohol night before the jump. Definitely, don’t drink with dusty round canopy paratroopers from http://www.pathfindergroupuk.com/
Do your first solo jump right after graduation of AFF, same day, next load (if you ready). You worked hard for it and now it’s time to celebrate. Enjoy the sky without those instructors. Remember to pull and flare
Next month I plan some trips to Austria and US(Boston), if someone knows DZs there which allow pre-A license jumper without own rig - let me know
See you at 12000ft
Pavel
