Inthebuff

When it rained in Spain in January me and my mucker handed over our 20 Euro's and did a packing course. The faithful Rigger cast his all knowing eye over our work every now and then in between packing reserves. On presenting him with my third attempt that had drained all my strength and took over half an hour he said is it good ? to which I replied yes. Jump it then he said.So I did. With a fair bit of trepadation pulling well high just in case, I looked up on opening and 'she' opened like a a beautiful flower, perfect. It was quite a moment in my Sky Diving Life. Just thought I'd share that with you 'brothers and sisters'. ( Awaiting wise cracks

Hi Diana I jumped with the same crew last July at Lillo and I also had a wicked time. You're enthusiasm is there for all to see

Howdy Back

Ron,I agree entirely with your views on being current. The next time I go to Spain I'm confident I'll get my A Licence.As things stand, I've got a log book with 50 jumps in it. Once I have my A Licence I won't have any problems jumping in the UK. This will take me down the path of being a current jumper I reckon. I will however do most of my jumping in Spain or some other sunnier climb. Cheap flights abroad make it affordable to travel regularly. One more thing.Yeh sure I landed down wind and I'll never get the T mixed up again. I did the right thing and stuck with what I had and landed it,my training taught me that.( No turns on Final )

I'm a Globe Trotting Sky Diver in search of the Sun We actually I'm student status and I sky dive in Spain every three months because I hate the English weather. That first jump is always a nervy affair but I'd miss that feeling if it wasn't there. Does anyone else jump on mass after regularly fairly long lay off by choice ? *********************************** Fly Like Zie Eagle, Not Like Zie Chicken ! Good advice from an instructor I know.

I did my Aff in July plus my conso's plus another 10 so that was 29 in total. The next time I jumped was in September when I did another 12.I would have done more but I had a down wind landing on a Sabre 2 210 and I really feel that I was lucky to walk away with my neck intact I did 10 mins tunnel time in November and then did 6 jumps in January.I planned to do about 20 this time but the weather was Minging. I have 20 mins tunnel time booked in April and the next time I jump will be in June when I'll finnish my FS1. This is hardly what you would call current ! I live in the UK and I choose to jump in Spain. I have waited nearly 20 years to Sky Dive having done 2 static lines on rounds in 1987. Once I have my own Rig by the end of the year I plan to jump more regularly, hopefully every six or so weeks, but again it will be in Spain or where ever the weather is good. I enjoy sky diving in this way,not jumping for several months and then banging in 20 or 30 odd over several days in the Sun I get that nervy kind of feeling all over again for that first jump and then I have it Big Style. I am very safety concious.Before my first jump I always put on a practise cut away harness before I jump and I have a good chat with my instructor. I always get a gear check and check everything's where it should be before I go out the door. I read up loads,especially on this top Web site and there are plenty of quality informative DVD's like Break Away to keep you focussed during that down time. Where I jump, AAD's are compulsery, as are RSL's for students. I usually jump a Navigator 220 which is about as safe as you can get. I plan to spend the next 20 or so years in this wonderful sport. I haven't road a bike for ages, but I know I can. Just Arch

Hi, I did my AFF in Spain as it's cheaper than in the UK.It's worth noting that I found the prices a bit cheaper in the winter months so shop around if you're not committed. I completed my Aff in 2 days with a repeat level 5. Just in cae you aren't aware,you have to pay for repeats, or at least I did. The best advice I can give you is try to complete your AFF in the space of a few days. Before I knew it I had cracked Level 7, ( Unstable Exit,stability,heading and alti check.5 second track,a 360 or two if there was time.) My instructors wanted to see that I was in control, alti aware and able to deploy a canopy and land. My instructors are always telling me to relax and that for me is the key. Don't try too hard,don't put yourself under presure and relax. The first 12 months are the most expensive. Go For It, be safe and have fun.

Hey ' Brother ' we have something in common. I did 2 staic lines on Big Old Rounds in 1987. I got back in the saddle last year and did my AFF in Spain ,fulfilling my life long ambition to Sky Dive.Worth the wait eh ? I've been to Spain ( Sky Dive Lillo ) three times altogether, you just can't beat the weather ! I haven't jumped in the UK since passing AFF and I don't know if I ever will. At the moment I go over to Spain about every three months and bang as many in as i can (afford ) Once I've got my own Rig hopefully by the end of the year I'm planning on jumping in Europes sunnier climbs ( I'm from England ) every 6 weeks banging in 20 or 30 a time.The cheap flights make this easily affordable and it don't rain in Spain, except for January !!!! Although jumping rented gear is an expensive game,it does give you the opportunity to try different size and types of canopy (nothing too outragious though) I want to downsive from the 210 that I usually jump to a 168 which should be ideal for my size and experience. Lots of Pro's and Cons regarding second hand or new gear. I think that most of the second hand gear is over priced.Why pay 2 Grand old when you can get a new Rig for 3K ? I suppose it depends on what you want. I want the harness to fit like a glove. A brand new Cypres 2 would leave me feeling more secure than buying a used one and I get to pick all my own colours if I buy new. If I can find a reasonably priced 168 Pilot or Sabre 2 thats done about 100 - 200 jumps I might go for it because it would be easier to pack. Final thought.When you only jump every three months or so you always get THAT feeling on the first jump.I love that.Then you jump your TS off. *********************************** Fly Like Zie Eagle, Not Like Zie Chicken ! Good advice from an instructor I know.

Josh. I've always wanted to Sky Dive.I did 2 static line in 1987 on Big Old Rounds.I did my AFF in Spain last year and it was well worth the wait. You've got what it takes so go that little bit further. The instructors won't let you go on your own until they know you can hold your own. Best Grand I've ever spent ! Hooray for the Ram Air.

I did my AFF in July 05 and had a wicked time.You know how it is when you ain't done it before,but if you are gonna AFF then I really recommend the instructors who make you feel safe and give you the confidence to throw yourself out at 12.5 or 13 Grand if you make the Sunset Load. July is red hot and you sweat buckets going up top but the atmosphere in the summer is top drawer.If you aren't jumping you can chill by the pool,the bars always packed and there's usually someone buying a crate of cold ones to celebrate passing AFF or doing their hundredth or something. The towns very old school Spanish,but normally everyone hits the same restaurant 'Latino's.If you look hard enough there are a couple of clubs.I've never felt like an outsider during my 3 visits there.The experienced dudes were all new once so advice is always in the plenty,you make up your own mind which you take on board. Septembers a nice month temperature wise with the heat being less intense than the peak of summer. I went over in January but the weather was minging with only 2 jumpable days out of 6 but I suppose you take your chance where ever you go in the winter. Still only done 50 jumps and renting rigs but I'm in for life and the aiming high. Going back in June and September for more. Go in the summer and have it large,the most loads I saw in a day was about 18 and they've got the Dornier now so slots aren't a problem. One final note.Car Rental is really cheap at Madrid airport.I recommend you rent a car( 150 Euro's ish )because a taxi will cost you more than that one way and although you can arrange for a pick up from and to the airport that's really pricey as well.....Blue Skies,real Blue.