airmagic

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  1. And fun it was! As a Vixen member I can honestly say it was done simply to have fun and enjoy the moment. Ron is 100% correct in the fact that our team was there only to experience 4-way competition at Natl's and have fun. While I respect the fact that some people don't think Nationals is the place to do this sort of thing, I don't understand the need to create drama. That being said...for those that might have been offended, please accept our heartfelt apologies for the offense. And for the record, a few of the judges I talked to thought it was funny and were a little disappointed since thought we were going to be naked. It was great having a cool, relaxed plane at Natl's and made me realize that the competition world CAN be full of comraderie and new friendships. Thanks to all for the support during and after Nationals and from our home dz throughout the year. Never thought I would be the one saying this but I am really looking forward to another fun year of training in the future! -mandy
  2. The $99 deal they are doing at Dallas has definitely increased our number of AFF jumps made. I'm not sure how many new students are coming out because of it but what we have seen is an increase in return students from the First Jump Course. All of our students are also now more inclined to do multiple jumps in a day. I'm not sure what the management was thinking but it does not get any better than this for an upcoming student. -Mandy
  3. airmagic

    Tom Manship

    Thank you. Thank you for your kind words and for taking a great man for everything he was worth. Tom was a very dear friend of mine. In a skydiviving sense he was not only there for my first two-way, but also my first kiss pass, my first naked jump, my first beacon ride, my first PRO-rated demo, and my first tandem (from the instructor point-of-view). I have proudly owed a lot of beer because of that man. Along with all of that, Tom and I made our first BASE jump together off the New River Gorge Brigde with the expertise of BASE 105 to guide us. I remember having long discussions in a bar beforehand about the danger of that first jump. I've got a precious picture of tom and me before the jump that tells the truth as to how he felt about the whole adventure. Who knew at that time where it would lead him.... The last time I saw tom was in Mexico. Ernie and I were not able to catch up with him at Twin because of our work schedules so we drove our Jeep to Mexico to see him jump the cave. We got to spend quite a bit of quality time with him there. He was a different man than I remembered. Self-assured and confident with his way of life. Something of an example to live by. I found it funny that some of the new BASE jumpers in the cave base group thought he was old and odd. Had they only known that he had finally found whatever he wanted in life. Since then it seems that he had found a lot of commaderie in the BASE community. I am so happy that he once again picked up the role of mentor for those of you that wanted to learn. Go with peace, tom. There was so much in life that you conquered. I am grateful to be one of the people that you blessed. -mandy
  4. Musicman, I am sorry that you were not happy with the way the course was taught or the instruction you received. Being the instructor of the course, I really wish you had said something the day of the course so that it could be corrected then. Harboring thoughts like yours through the course not only hinders learning, but also leaves uneasy feelings about coming back to the dz for your jump. As for the teaching methods...we do tend to keep the material simple and specific since there is so much of it for you to absorb. While we do cover all the basic material we focus more on drills that simulate the positions you will feel in the air. I assure you, as I did all of you in the course, that repetition of drills and practicing for perfection are the nature of the course. I do not make people repeat the drills to make them a bad example or because I am mean. I really encourage you to talk to the Chief Instructor, the DZ Manager, and even myself if you are willing about your feelings so that we can make sure your first jump lives up to the expectations of everyone involved. I assure you that regardless of the prior posts, your experience at Skydive Dallas with be treated with the same professionalism from the staff that we give all of our students. If you still have issues on the way we conduct business after making your jump, please feel free to contact the United States Parachute Association with a complaint. Hope to see you back out soon. With a little willingness on your part, I think we can change your opinion of our dropzone and our skydivers once you are able to see the world the way do. Mandy Schaeffer Skydive Dallas