5/18/03 Was my first jump. After much research I chose Skydive San Marcos. Glad I did! Everone there is very nice, and had no problem helping out a newbie feel welcome! I watched closely as a packer packed the RIG, and she explaind what she was doing as she went. I Tandem Jumped with Doug, a 7000+ Jump Vetran, My wife went with "Fabio" (he runs the DZ). I am doing a tandem progression AFF, so I had some ground instruction, while My wife looked on. The ride up, in the cessna was great, the 4 jumpmasters with us all meditated on the way up (making for a relaxed environment). I was so pumped, and really wanted out of the plane. Wow what a feeling! I was third, my 2 buddies went first, i was third, and my wife last. She was able to see me doing my test pulls, and watch me navegate the canopy after i pulled (and held) the ripchord, while she did a couple of barrel rolls, head down dive, and a few spins while the drouge was released. Once the canopy opened, the instruction continued, It felt as though, i had been freed from all the world. I could see downtown austin, 30 miles away. I was able to controll the canopy, and even do a nice canopy spin dive! Doug my instructor, seemed open to any idea i felt comfortable with. I found Mike (my friends jumpmaster)to be one of the best instructors. But they were all available to answer our questions. I would recommend that anyone try Skidive San Marcos, I cant wait till my next jump!
