curtismelaniej

Members
  • Content

    389
  • Joined

  • Last visited

    Never
  • Feedback

    0%

Everything posted by curtismelaniej

  1. I too started on static line and switched to AFF at Level 5. The positive to starting on static line in my opinion is that you gain good canopy skills from the start (simply because you make more skydives than AFF), but for freefall skills AFF by far is a better way to go. A jumpmaster is IN the sky with you evaluating and assisting you as you skydive. I would recommend switching-- you will be off student status more quickly and will probably spend a similar amount of money, just in a shorter time period. Those are my thoughts-- good luck!!!! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  2. Thanks for all the input guys!! That is just the kind of stuff I was looking for-- I will do it next time we triain this block and let you know how sweet I nailed it..... (Cookie, I haven't done 17's yet, so I will keep your stuff in mind too, thanks! ) __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  3. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!! In the north east of course-- tropical weather, the Great Barrier Reef, VB, rainforest, etc, etc..... of course, I'd have to open a dz with an otter, too many Cessna's up that way... __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  4. Hey-- I'm flying point this year and am having difficulty with the up and over turning move thing for block 22. We're going to the tunnel in a couple weeks to bang out a bunch of stuff and I'll definitely see it there, but thought I'd shout out for some thoughts/opinions on what others think is the best way to look at/think about this particular move. Thanks, Mel __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  5. Michele-- YOU rock! I'll be out for the 2-way camp on Sunday-- all you guys have to do is show up-- see you there! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  6. Suz-- I lived in Townsville for a year, and did pretty much all of my student training in Ayr with the Coral Sea Skydivers. I did a couple of B-rels myself at the DZ in Tully. I was there for an accuracy meet one weekend, I think I had like 35 jumps or something at the time, and instead of hitting the peas like I should have, I overshot by a LOT, landed, and put my canopy in the ONLY tree within a 50 meter radius!! I think they should've given my honorable mention or something with a tree landing in an accuracy meet. Anyway, I completely agree with what's being said so far on this post. Jumping with other people is a MUST. Personally, I'd rather not skydive than go do a solo. Not only will you be able to more accurately assess your skills and improvments jumping with others, you will make FRIENDS! One of the best things about this sport is the rest of junkies that are just like us. Share the addiction while you learn. As for belly skills first, I would tend to agree with that too. I think that it is beneficial for all skydivers to have skills in both freeflying and belly flying. That way, not only are you a safer skydiver, you are a more versitile one. With that versitility of skills, you will be able to participate in more aspects of skydiving, more events, meet more people, and continually be learning more. That's what I do, and it's been working so far! Ed, I'm not sure what Skydive San Diego has going on for new belly flyers (I've never been there, shame on me!! ), but if you're ever interested, Skydive Elsinore has a free 2-way camp going every weekend for people with jump numbers like you, who are looking to gain some basic body flight skills. I usually help out, so drop me an email sometime when you're thinking of coming up, and I'll make sure you get set up with the right people. (Who knows, you might even be forced to jump with me! ) __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  7. Skydive Elsinore for SURE-- my fave DZ to date (and I've been to MANY in my illustrious skydiving career)-- if you can make it out for the Chicks Rock Boogie, that is one of the best times all year-- the dz is open 7 days a week, otters-- just go to www.skydiveelsinore.com-- I'm pretty much there every weekend-- am mostly a belly chick but have been known to dabble on the dark side from time to time.... Skydive Chicago rocks-- was there for last year's Nationals, and was truly amazed at the facilities-- not sure what's it's like during slower times, but either way I think it's worth checking out. The Ranch-- try to get up there for the 4th of July Boogie-- Fight Night is one of the most entertaining events EVER. Sha-frickin'-wangha!! www.ranchskydive.com __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  8. A good friend will come bail you out of jail, but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "That was fucking awesome." Your signature line-- that's the best quote I've heard in a while. LOVE IT. (I'm not really sure if "Girls" as a whole are evil, but I certainly find time to be-- I actually have a shirt with just that word on the front.) __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  9. I started learning out of a Cessna 175 doing static line with my Dad kicking me out of the plane. That was pretty cool, but 45 minutes to 9 grand at best, well, that just wasn't cutting it. Then came the Cessna 206, 30 mins to 10 grand-- then came The Ranch with heaps of otters, 18 mins to 14 grand, but 6-8 months of the year non-jumpable with snow, winds or rain. SO, finally, what else was there to do, than move to Southern California where the Otters are plentiful as well as the BLUE SKIES!! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  10. All I can say to everyone is get this chick in freefall and see that SMILE!! Michele, thank you for the jump this weekend-- if nothing else you learned that the Fuckin-A Awesome hand signal is the most important one-- coming in just ahead of Squeeze the Butt Cheeks. Just like everyone has said, keep fighting, keep your positive outlook, and you WILL be hot shit someday!! Keep coming back to the 2-way camp, I want to get you back in freefall! Cheers and blues, girlfriend, Mel __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  11. I would also recommend the inside leg grips-- they really are a must. I've never had the double arm grips, but I've been told by some that they are more cumbersome than they're worth-- your call. Fat grips-- yes. I have had great success with my Bev Competition Suit, I've owned two of them and they're both still in great shape. I've heard great things also about Tony Suits-- that's what I'm trying for my next team. Word. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  12. If you can swing it, go to the wind tunnel and get some one-on-one coaching. Trust me, it will be money well-spent!! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  13. Hey hot stuff, I love the way you think -- actually, at this year's Nats we did something very similar-- amongst all the leather couches, we walked all the randoms in slots we were unfamiliar with, and then did this whole rotating slots thing as we went from random to random... sounds confusing, and it IS-- everytime someone f*cks up, DRINK-- needless to say we were all pretty MF smashed by the time we got to the blocks... Paul, I would not recommend this as a way to learn the formations, but rather a way to forget them the next morning... __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  14. I just went through the old-fashioned memorization routine with the numbers-- other than that, the only thing I can suggest with the blocks is actually DOing them-- want to try? Actually, maybe have your team start talking about the skydives using the numbers/letters-- that way in order to know what the hell is going on, you'll have to know them-- kind of like each dirt dive will be a pop quiz for you. Oh, and flash cards help-- I used those too. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  15. A- Unipod is first so I just remember it B- Bear-step diamond C- Crappy Murphy Flake D- Duan-- I don't know, this just works for me E- mEEker F- Friends-- used to be twins, so I still remember it this way G- Gatta-chord (kind of like the movie Gattaca-- again, don't know why, just works for me) H- HO-- Bow J- Jelly donut K- Kaptain Hook L- Ladder M- Mr. Bundy N- Nasty Crank O- OH Satellite! P- Peabody- Sidebody Q- phalanx-- cause it's last and my fave random, so I just remember it Hope this helps!! Who's doing 4-way this weekend? ME! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  16. Skydive Elsinore is the best DZ I've ever been to, and my Dad owns one so that's saying something! Top notch facilities, world-class staff, and two hot otters, along with that unique and addictive Elsinore love, make it the only place you want to be on weekends. If you are a new belly flyer, this is definitely the drop zone to come to. Bringing newbies up in the ranks is one of Skydive Elsinore's top priorities-- I am evidence of that. Show up and from your first visit to the office you will be welcomed and pointed in the right direction for you-- be it the 2-way belly camps, the canopy flight school, the hilarious freaks doing rodeos, the experienced LO's, or whatever! Come visit soon and let's JUMP! I'm ALL ABOUT IT! ;o)
  17. Hey Luke-- I started skydiving at 18 too, so I feel your pain about being a poor college student. All I can recommend is going abroad to Australia for a study abroad year-- then skydive your ass off. That's what I did! Came back to the states with about 100 jumps, and I can tell you 7 years later that it only keeps getting better!!! Be safe and have FUN! Blue skies, Mel __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  18. She's the chick on the Today show who normally does the news-- has dark hair, pretty... uh.. go here.. http://www.msnbc.com/onair/bios/a_curry.asp
  19. Ann Curry did that jump-- I think Katie said she was crazy too. Whuffos. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html
  20. I think this is my first post ever-- BEER! Stace-- kick major ass this weekend, but don't plan on winning at Nationals.