LittleOne

The dz in Bangalore is closed as of a few months ago. There are no other civilian dzs in India, to the best of my knowledge. Try contacting Santhosh via www.skydiveasia.org for the latest information. Cheers, Arianna

Hi there! I live in Queens and jump at Sky's the Limit, Cross Keys and Long Island. PM me if you want to share a ride (oh the price of gas and tolls these days! it's killin' me!). Singing to the radio in my car for 120 miles each way gets tired fast.

Two weekends ago, I found myself in the highly unexpected position of "coach" (as my friend insisted on calling me, much to my chagrin). Nobody knows better than I do how much I suck but at least I was able to pass on the advice that I have received from so many others. With each jump, our skills showed marked improvement. He was so grateful for my paltry advice that he offered to pick up my slot. Is that a beerable first?! This past weekend, a 4 way competitor with over 15 years in the sport took us on four jumps and refused to let us pay for any of his slots. At the end, he said the nicest thing. "You guys CAN fly." Just a small comment he may not remember but that meant a helluva lot to me and my friend. After he left, we went up together and were suddenly whipping out the points (ok, maybe not quite whipping out but you get the idea). Thanks Marty! I can't wait to become a better skydiver so that I can share with newer people and make that initial post-A license period easier (besides offering myself as an example of what not to do). In the meantime, I'd love a mentor!

Hey Jigs, Glad to hear you are feeling better both physically and mentally. However, if you have health insurance, it might not be a bad idea to have yourself checked out just to make sure that there was no real damage. If it makes you feel any better, I also had to question my own motives for skydiving. I started skydiving during a very difficult time in my life. I often asked myself if I was doing it to escape from my problems. The honest answer to that question was yes but the primary reason, always, was that it was fun. Once I started failing levels, my stubborn nature kicked in and I refused to give up. However, I always did a "fun" check: am I still having fun even though things aren't going perfectly? If not, I went home for the day but I always came back. My whole schedule was blown to pieces by my slow progression. I started in April and expected to jump during the whole summer as a licensed jumper. I did not get that A until September. You are not alone. I hope that provides some comfort. Try to leave the frustration over paying for the additional AFF jumps in the parking lot. It is possible that this can hinder your ability to relax and focus on your jumps. I also found that I had to leave my pride in the parking lot. Once the pride and frustration was safely stowed in the trunk of my car, I was able to relax. If you do stick it out, I think you will find that it will have all been worthwhile. Hope this helps! PS Don't focus too much on transitioning to the $18 jump tickets. Remember that in order to reach that level, you have to drop another little load of money on gear.

A lot of people have to repeat a lot of levels and still go on to become safe, competent jumpers. Whether it is worth the expense is a question only you can answer. We all make sacrifices to be in this sport, whether it means giving up a vacation or selling your house or getting a second job. As others have mentioned, it is not so easy to advise you to continue or not until we know exactly why you failed. Tell us what your instructors have told you were the reasons for failing as well as what you did do correctly. If relaxing is the major problem, a tunnel can be very helpful. Based on my personal experience, I would recommend it. If you go to Orlando, I recommend Carlos. If it weren't for him, I would have quit while stuck (or rather spinning) on level 4. You may never be invited to join DeLand Majik (who knows, maybe you will be but until then, welcome to my club) but if your instructors thought you had zero aptitude, they would have told you so in no uncertain terms.

There are no regularly operating dz's in Malaysia. There used to be a dz in Segamat but the last time I checked, in May, they were closed until further notice. If you are keen to jump while in the region, you will have to go to Pattaya, Thailand. However, do not arrive unannounced. Arrange a group (C206 takes 5, you pay for empty slots) to ensure loads and share travel expense. Things might change by the time you are there since the dz is currently trying to get a Porter. You can contact the dz at http://www.skydivethailand.com/ or arrange a group via http://www.skydiveasia.org Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

An Acc/Fin major will help you maximize your earnings straight out of school and for years to come, especially if you are quite sure that you will not acquire a MBA. In the long run, you MAY not have as many options to branch out into different disciplines within the wonderful world of business, including marketing, manufacturing, IT and HR. Since you stated that you love Economics, are likely to pursue a MBA and are considering Poli Sci, the Econ/Fin major will probably serve you better. It is not impossible to go from Acc/Fin to Poli Sci but the Econ/Fin undergrad work will provide a better basis. If you choose to get the MBA in a Finance related field, Economics is an excellent undergrad platform. Having an Acc/Fin undergrad major is not bad in this case but may be redundant. First and foremost, I would recommend that you follow your passions. With an Econ/Fin bachelor's, it is unlikely that you will be working the register at McDonald's. On the other hand, I do not know any Accounting and Finance professionals (and I know a lot of them) that truly love what they do, myself included. Why do you think I started hurling myself out of planes? (just my highly biased $0.02)

Has anyone stayed at the Baracuda Hotel near Skydive Dubai? Before I decide to go there, I was hoping to get an idea of what the hotel is like. Is it clean? Does it have a restaurant or is one very close (read: no car) by? thanks!

How passionate are you about this sport? Would you spend weeks organizing a weekend trip via a public forum? Would you spend hours scouring the internet for an affordable airfare? Would you fly 2-3 hours or more to another country for the weekend? Would you drive 2-3 hours from the airport to the dropzone? Would you pay 25 USD for 10,000'? Would you like to pack in 95F/95% humidity? And all this to get maybe six jumps over the weekend? This is what it takes to skydive in Southeast Asia. And it was the best experience of my skydiving life. When I got a contract to work in Malaysia and Singapore for three months, I Googled "skydiving asia". This led to the www.skydiveasia.org site. From my initial post, the response was overwhelmingly warm and inviting. I was lucky enough to join the group for two trips to Skydive Thailand and one trip to the tunnel in Malaysia. When I finally got to meet the gang, they took this orphaned skydiver under their wings and guided me through the myriad logistics. At the dropzone, we were a quirky little temporary family. The moment of truth for me was the packing (ok so those of you who know me know how packing-challenged I am ). Everyone pulled together to help me out. I cannot thank everyone individually but I would like to thank Danniel, a USPA S&TA and the group's unofficial leader. Your efforts to organize us and provide training are a tribute to the sport. If you were not there, I probably would not have been comfortable jumping (who me, the second most experienced jumper on each day?!). Your enthusiasm is positively infectious. To the rest of the skydiveasia gang, I would be honored to host you anywhere in the States (once I get back). Name the dz and I will do everything in my power to join you. If you are in the region, contact these folks. You may not get 10+ jumps a day from an Otter but the vibe is a wonder to behold. Arianna

For me, home cooking makes a big difference. The food is fresher and generally less greasy. More importantly, it allows you to control your portions. In the US, we are constantly faced with excessive portions and even if we don't finish everything on the plate, the tendency is to overeat to at least some degree. Keep watching skydivingmovies.com. That should be a good motivation when the going gets tough.

I was out there for a week one month ago. I had heard that it was a really friendly dropzone but did not want to get my hopes up. I had heard the same about some others but was sometimes a little disappointed. Elsinore completely exceeded all expectations. I made the most fun jumps of my short skydiving life and got to do new things that I thought I would not be able to try for who knows how many jumps. Now that I can only skydive occasionally (am flying this weekend from Malaysia to Thailand just to jump), I find myself thinking about that week and wishing I were back there. Thanks to all of the fun jumpers, instructors and staff! It was the best way to end my personal skydiving odyssey. To anyone wondering where to go for a skydiving vacation, Elsinore is it. Maybe I should move when I get back... Arianna

I spoke to them last week. They will reopen this weekend or the next.

I bought a Z1 full face right after AFF. It is really quiet and that helped me to stay relaxed. In the summer, it was not unbearably hot. During the winter, I do not need a balaclava. On the ground, I felt a tiny bit claustrophobic in the full face but I did not feel that way at all in freefall. In freefall, I felt no ventilation and I like that. On the other hand, I had a hard time opening the visor while wearing winter gloves so it fogged up on while under canopy on one jump, making that landing interesting. On a siftly jump, the thing nearly blew off my head. Of course, I should have tightened it but I forgot that this helmet's strap and cowl (is that what you call the thing around the chin and neck?) tends to loosen a little with each jump. I marched into the gear store and bought an open face. I have not decided to sell the Z1 (unless you wanna buy it ) but I do not foresee trekking around with both helmets. Just my minimal experience...

I am also 5'2" and I would have bought this container http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=19451&d=1 but I decided to go with larger canopies. Otherwise, I thought it was a good deal. She was selling an RW jumpsuit as well. I do not know what size canopies you are looking for and am in no position to provide any advice but it is a start. If this does not work out for you, have you considered placing a Wanted ad in these classifieds? FYI I ended up buying a used container from Square 1 and it fits me perfectly. Did you try them yet?

Stretch thoroughly before and after your slot. Flying on your belly in the tunnel can be very strenuous, especially for a beginner. Have fun!

Since I am way too late for the Introductions forum... 1. Whats your name? Arianna 2. How old are you? 38 (when did that happen?!) 3. Why did you decide to start jumping out of airplanes? First tandem: boredom. Got inexplicably hooked immediately thereafter. 4. Are you single or taken? Married? Single 5. Do you have kids? No 6. What do you drive? 2004 BMW 330xi 7. Have you ever done a kisspass? No (but I just got an open face helmet) 8. Where do you live? NYC 9. Do you have any pets? No 10. How many jumps do you have? 91 11. What color eyes do you have? Dark brown 12. What is your nationality? Korean-American 13. Have you ever dated someone you met off the internet? No 14. Favorite Movie? The Terminator 15. What do you do when you arent skydiving? Think about finding a job 16. Have you ever BASE jumped? No 17. If not... do you want to? Not yet 18. Do you have siblings? 2 sisters (who are now thoroughly convinced that I have lost my mind) 19. Where do you want to travel to the most? China and Korea 20. What's your favorite color? Green 21. Where was the last place you flew to ( not skydiving )? Cancun

Should I go to Sebastian or Lake Wales? I will be in Orlando next week and can spend 2-3 days skydiving. With so little experience, I prefer to go to just one dropzone for this time. An easy landing area with decent outs is a priority for me. The second most important thing is a friendly vibe where people won't mind helping out a shy newbie. I have already been to a few places where I have gotten lost (literally too). RW vs. freefly is not important because I am working on both. I know that both are world class dzs with much to offer. I also know that both were hit hard by hurricanes so their facilities may not be fully restored but that is not important to me (all I need is a plane, a toilet and a packer). I am just looking for different opinions. Thanks!

Sounds like my story. I took Scott Miller's Essential Skills class and it made all the difference in the world. Reviewing multiple proper landings in slow motion and then debriefing my own was invaluable. The other exercises gave me a sense of confidence that I thought I would never achieve. I cannot espouse the virtues of his class enough. I had heard or read about most of the material he presented elsewhere but he has an intangible presentation skill that, for me, made it all click. At $150, it is the best deal in skydiving, IMHO.

I went to a class at a local driving school. I felt like such a delinquent because I was the only one there to get points removed. Everyone else was there to just reduce their insurance.

Last May, I checked into the Riande and stayed about one hour. That was how long it took to book another hotel. It was gross. I lost one night's fee but I figured that I would save that much money on fleapowder and delousing treatments. Motel 6 and Best Western are both very close (no dodging traffic from BW) and are worth a few extra dollars. Just my humble opinion.

"FINISH": quite a concept that eluded me until Scott made me yell it out loud. Glad you are ok. When I was at DeLand, I found the crisscrossing taxiways to be a bit unnerving too. I slammed in once so hard that I saw stars. Only my false sense of pride enabled me to get up and walk away (plus, I figured calling 911 would end up costing me a bundle).

I can't post pics. I am between jobs and consequently between computers (but I have lots of time!). I am sitting at an internet cafe now planning a trip to Perris/Elsinore. Too bad you missed my jump at ZHills a few days later when my top flew out of my pants and nearly over my chest strap while I was under canopy (note to self: rethink sitfly clothes). another LOL moment...

I had my first off landing a few weeks ago. I handled the situation very well and am fine but the whole story is too funny not to share (I learned very early in my training that I have to be able to laugh at myself since everyone else will be laughing). It was the final jump of Scott Miller's course. On the sunset load, we got an intentional long spot. Newbie that I am, I failed to recognize that the spot was longer than intended. I was the last of four to exit at 6000. Pull at 5000, looks like a good canopy...oh no, it turns around about 180, putting me into severe line twists that took forever to work out. After finally getting out of the twists, I am well behind guy #3 and at least as low as guy #2. I'm not gonna make it (sung to the tune of that old song that goes We're not gonna take it...)! I tried the accuracy trick but the word DELAND was not moving. Is that exactly where I will land? Impossible. It is so far away that I am not using the trick correctly. Can I make it to the baseball field? Maybe, maybe not but there is a good chance I will not clear all the trees between here and there. Better not try. Should I land in the field directly below me or the one I just passed? The one below is marshy looking and completely surrounded by trees (being in a forest at night by myself is one of my greatest fears in life, I grew up in Brooklyn). The one just behind me is long, grassy, level, has no obstacles, is bordered by the roads and it looks just like my home dropzone. At 2500 with no winds, I picked this field and headed back. As I approach the field, I hear the voices of so many instructors in my head: Altitude is your friend, Check for winds and hidden obstacles, Don't get too close to the trees, Be polite and don't stomp across the flowers, Finish. On my approach, I see a car with a bunch of people approaching me. Great, I have an audience. I was not sure what downwind was but the winds were light when I left and there was no indication that they had picked up. After I landed, the car came up to me. I then saw that it was a family of four and their four dogs. The little dog jumped out and started barking at me and my big green canopy. I launched into the apologies and they exclaimed, "We never saw a parachutist before!". They offered to let me use their phone but since I did not even know the number, I did not accept their offer. I figured that someone would pick me up soon. I gathered up my canopy and stood by the road waiting for someone from the dz. Thank goodness for the good citizens of DeLand that it was not a major road. Apparently, the sight of a 5'2" Asian American female in a fluorescent green trimmed jumpsuit holding a lime green canopy was worthy of major rubbernecking. Had I been on a major road, I might have caused an accident. I wonder how many dinner conversations started with "Honey, you'll never guess what I saw on the way home tonight...". It is nearly dark now and getting pretty damn cold. Five minutes pass, ten minutes, no dz staff in sight. Should I go to the house of the people who watched me land and use their phone? Then, a really creepy looking guy in a beat up truck stops and offers to drive me wherever I want to go. All of a sudden, I am not hearing any instructor's voice. I am hearing Mommy's voice saying "Do not get into trucks with strange, creepy looking men". I turned down his offer while trying not to show any surging panic. A few minutes later, another creepy looking guy in a truck pulls over and offers to drive me wherever I want to go. Again, I try to act like there is nothing wrong and he goes away. That does it: I am going to the house to call the dz even though the house is set so far back from the road. Just then, a very nice looking couple pulls over and offers to drive me back to the dropzone. He explains that he is a volunteer fireman, knows where the dz is and has driven a few skydivers back before. Unlike the other two guys, this one is with his wife and he has apparently been introduced to soap. Cold, hungry, tired and preferring to be in the South Bronx at 3 am alone, I accept their offer. As we are driving, he opens the window to let me know he is going extra slowly so that my canopy does not blow away. I suspect that the ten cars behind us do not appreciate this very much but at least the car directly behind us is getting an eyeful. I finally made it back to the dz and was greeted by a lot of people laughing very hard. Sorry for the long post but I hope you found it funny enough to warrant your time. Does anyone have a funnier story?

Thanks for your reply (and to Skymama and Jskydiver22). I agree that a coach should be the primary source of informatiion. In this particular case, I had to leave the dz in a hurry to catch my flight home. Since I will not be able to jump again for at least one month, I posted in this forum to get an idea of how to fix the problem so that I would not have to stew over it for so long. thanks again!

I made my first few attempts at sitflying. I did the first two jumps with a coach. He emphasized the importance of using him as a heading reference since the direction I look in is the direction I would move in. Since I did not quite get it on those jumps, I went up by myself with his ok. It was a spectacular day and there was not a single cloud in the sky. The only thing in the sky was the noon sun. I tried to use it as a heading reference for a short time but could not keep staring at it. There was nothing else up there but uniformly blue skies. I started spinning a bit, stopped myself and decided at 7000 that this was not a good idea. I flipped over and finished off the jump. On such a clear day, how do I establish a heading reference? I cannot afford a coach jump for every jump and on that day at that dropzone, everyone else was in a big way (or newbies, students). I do not want to wear sunglasses because I am concerned about depth perception issues on landing. Should I just not go up again under these circumstances?