skyjump11

7/30/07 Hello! Seldom, do I ever feel the need to say something in the forums, but I wanted to share this with you. Please remember, that even if that first jump was 'awful', nevertheless, it was still a jump. Consider this, everyone that is 'good' at your DZ at one time started out 'bad.' The difference is that they kept making jump after jump after jump. You will learn more in 50 jumps than those of us who made 200 back in mid-seventies. Back then there was no training, just a B4 container, T10 main and water mellon reserve. And boy! you hit the ground like a ton of bricks. The only thing around was static line. The instructor talked with you a bit and then you went up to 2800' and climbed out on wheel, held onto the strut, pushed off and hit an arch. It's a wonder we all didn't die. But you will get up to speed soon and be jumping with those 'good' jumpers. As for for me, my 'awful' jump came on my 4th. jump. The first 3 had been with a static line where I practiced pulling out a piece of newspaper to simulate finding and pulling the ripcord. The 4th. jump was with no static line. If I didn't pull that ripcord I was going in. (Remember that this was long before AAD's) I jumped and the first handle I saw was on my water mellon reserve, so that was the one I pulled. I was proud that I found any handle. That was the first of my many 'awful' jumps but 31 years later I am still jumping and it's still a rush. As for the mountain climbing, if you and 5 of your friends ever want to trek up Kilimanjaro (19,340'), I have a dear friend that is a guide and will get you to the top after a 5 day climb. If you need his email, let me know. grace, peace & blue skies sep

please forgive me for sharing my thoughts (I seldom, if ever, write on any of these posts) Baskin-Robins has 31 different flavors....if it were up to me they would only have chocolate...but different people like different things. If you have to think about it.....don't do it. Everything in this life has a beginning, a middle and an end. So it is with the span of life...so it is with each of our jumping careers....whatever you decide.. grace, peace & blue skies

May I make this observation? (based upon getting to New York for business the past 30 years) Your mom was right about dressing 'properly'.... if she was talking about the 70's.....but since the 80's & 90's....you will find folks dressed all sorts of way....from evening wear to blue jeans (and that's on a Saturday night too)...just an observation of what I have seen...nobody cares anymore how you look or dress.......grace, peace & blue skies (you will be shocked at how small the theaters are)

Only you will know when the time is right. Recently, we had an 85 year old woman make a tandem jump...she had always wanted to do it and she finally did. As with her, and so it will be with you, the most dangerous part of the day you jump from the airplane will be your automobile drive out and the drive back....and that's a fact. grace, peace & blue skies

Good Grief! I thought he would have died from old age by now. I thought he looked 'ancient' back in 1976... and would have guessed he would be around 109 by now....and probably, he would agree.

thank you for the concern....I will pass it along to my friend

all of mine were from 2800'....the first 4 were static line and the rest were not

over 100...along with a water mellon reserve

A friend is looking for an old T-10 to hang up in his little boys room. (Yes, I know that all T-10's are old....I want a cheap, worn out, useless one that I can get for a few dollars.) any suggestions? thanks.