humbled1

I have been jumping for 27 months. I am still in the honeymoon period. I check this site 10+ times a day, I show my videos to non-skydivers, I get goosebumps talking about it. And I normally do O/S video with newbies and I pay my own slot.. now that you know what a freak I am....here is my question: WHY DO YOU NOT UPDATE YOUR PROFILE?? or even worse, why do you put bogus info? Personally, I get a hard-on to update my profile. I not only know how many jumps I have (436) but I know how many camera jumps I have total (157), how many O/S video jumps I have (86), how many I have with Stills (14) Anyone? Personally, when I see a BS profile I see a BS poster. Most forums do not post that kind of info, but most forums do not deal with a life and death sport. "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

??? I am confused.... buy a vector so I can wait till the canopy is in the dbag before I cock my pilot chute? Or cuz I can use my vector for up to 90 days and return it for a full refund cuz they don't really need my $. "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

Dude...I am sick of this crap. Maybe learn how to fly before you add a camera. LMAO I know you have mad skillz EDIT: MAKE A CHOICE [PA removed by moderator] Which is it? You DO NOT need to follow the USPA recommendations regarding camera flying cuz its a GO PRO? Then WHY THE HELL are you posting in a forum for VIDEOGRAPHERS?? Put the camera or the rig away before we all regret it! EDIT2: LMAO [PA removed by moderator] You mentioned that you passed the coaches course so you are able to fly camera!! [PA removed by moderator] If you would have taken the gopro out of your ass you would understand, THE FOCUS OF THE COACHES COURSE IS ON INSTRUCTION NOT FLYING! The pathetic thing is most Coach instructors will pass you if you pay regardless of your flying abilty. Case in point: YOU!?? Dude seriously, you blantly ignore recs then ask for help....?? get a clue "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

Thanks for the voice of reason!!

No DZ in So Cal is going to let a 255# student jump. You clearly live in la-la land. The limit at Elsinore is 225# and at Perris it is 220#. I could look up SD but why bother? To the OP: I weighed 195# when I did my tandem, after going to the tunnel a month later to prepare for AFF, I knew I had to lose weight. I lost 20# in 2 months and precedded to lose 20# more in the next 3 months. My weight is now 153# and never got above 160# in the last 2 years. Fat people fall way to fast! EDIT: those rigs at Perris you mentions are called tandem rigs and are not designed for solo students. "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

WTF? I have packed 3 step throughs and even I know that is not right...actually about as wrong as you can get.....but then again I have packed myself 3 step-throughs.... EDIT: FYI all 3 were done AFTER it was in the dbag..I know how to thread my lines....pretty hard not to see it there...an AWESOME dude named Montana spotted my problem right away.... "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

Why don't you stop being a pathetic coward and just tell us who you are....wait we already know!! At this point how much I looked up to you means nothing; why dont you just shut the fuck up and go on with your life? ELSINORE IS MY DZ, NOT YOURS...SO STEP OFF BITCH! Oh yeah...next time you try and hide like a coward on the internet you should read up on a little detail called an IP Address! Opps my bad you are a mac guy so all the technical jargon confuses you....sorry bout that EDIT: OMG this is so frustrating. Not only did I forget to single out the most awesome female instructor ever; the one and only Yong!! My FJC instructor and Coach instructor (along with the well-know Elsinore-Hack; Mr. Jay Stokes). But after speaking with Niklas Daniels earlier today; I am going to the Perris Tunnel with him for 10 minutes of camera suit flying, for $5 less than straight tunnel time; plus free coaching from the man himself. I will admit I approached him on it; but he was more than eager to make this happen. If only I did not jump at Elsinore maybe I could have gotten someone a little more skilled than Mr. Daniels. For those of you who don't know who he is...well just pick up any recent issue of Parachutist or Blue Skies......lol Elsinore Rocks! I will sum up this entire thread now! Question: What's happening at Elsinore? Answer: Pure, Uncut AWESOMENESS!!! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

+1 "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

Thanks for the info Spot! I did not know that about Elsinore. BTW, I am back jumping 100%. I am doing video for the Poker Run this weekend and both Amit and Emily are on my team!! Be sure you give me a heads up your next trip out here so I can take the WS FJC from you!! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

Thanks Lisa I knew I would forget someone. But I did not think I would forget the 2 that the did my AFF Level 1 with me....Matt and Tom.... but I did say nothing (no one) is perfect...not even me EDIT: and I did not mention Mark cuz he is now working full time with the military along with Cesar. But he is still at Elsinore on the weekends as well. "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

Dear Mr. Troll, Funny that you mention Luke in that impressive list of instructors. I am not debating the fact regarding his skill, he is a great skydiver, a true natural from what I saw. But Luke had to learn to become a good instructor, and he showed up at Elsinore with 187 jumps and a funky camera helmet. My point is he learned what he knows at Elsinore. Cesar is not gone, he is working for the military full time and part time at Elsinore. There are still some other impressive instructors at Elsinore. Lelo, Lob, Chad, Mike, Scott, CJ, Sean, Mel, Brianne, Niklas, the new (to Elsinore) Scott plus a few newer AFF Instructors, like Damien and Jose. Both very good jumpers. Yong taught them both and did one hell of a job, she is especially pleased with Damien from what she has told me personally. Oh and the other day I said hello to another one of Elsinore's part-time instructors....some guy named Jay Stokes... Are you upset with the instructors or videographers? Exactly what do you mean by used to be? 6 months ago, a year ago,....??? Please clarify that statment. Also as someone who consistently jumps with the new A licensed jumpers, I have seen nothing different regarding the quality of the instruction that the students at Elsinore receive. I spend alot of time down there and I would be one of the first to make a fuss if something changed for the worst. Again, you mentioning Luke is just a testament to what a great DZ Skydive Elsinore is. No doubt I am biased, both my daughter and myself learned to jump there. I do not work there, (well sometimes I train tandems or gear 'em up for jumps), so I will say there are things I would change if I could, but nothing is perfect, not even you. Do you even know how long Pat did anything besides video? After I had been jumping a bit he got his Tandem rating then his AFF, but he made his name as a videographer which he did at Elsinore for 10+ years. He was a good instructor but an AWESOME videographer. As far as I know Pat left for a dz back east to make more money. I was disappointed to see Pat leave for my own selfish reasons, he was my videographer-mentor; losing him was not a good thing, but the beat goes on! Ironically his old room became the new NLE video editing room (courtesy of DSE) Regarding Misha, (an awesome, world-class skydiver), he only worked there a year. As good as he is, Elsinore was a great DZ before he worked there, and still is. I have no idea why Misha left Luke relocated to Florida to be near his family; though he did complain to me more than once that Elsinore was boring...nothing going on besides skydiving. Luke was only at Elsinore for a year and a half himself. Cesar got a full time job teaching the miltary to skydive. A great, stable job with a consistent paycheck, I am very happy for Cesar! (A great instructor who broke his leg on my daughters AFF level 8) What about Melanie Curtis? While she does not do AFF jumps often, she is a top-notch coach who is available for no cost at Elsinore on a regular basis. That makes 2 of us glad you passed on working there!! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

It should be done before you get on the airplane! I never plan my landings before I get on the plane... Chances are it will just result in 'a change of plans'. The wind at our dz tends to change direction with nearly every jump. You should be fully capable of effectively planning each landing after you are under canopy. I can see where students would want to plan before getting on the plane, or someone jumping at a new dz... they just need to be prepared to CHANGE those plans. I also jump at a DZ with constantly changing winds. Which is why in the main landing area it is "first man down" who sets the pattern. I am the opposite of you though, instead of NO PLAN, I have multiple plans. I look at the wind/windsocks before boarding and determine my holding area and landing pattern under the current conditions. Then after talking to others who have jumped that day, if it is my first jump, I visualize other possible patterns if the wind shifts on the ride to altitude. If it is the 1st load, there will be no wind most likely, which means land towards the lake. You had a plan to unsnap your helmet in case of a mal but no plan to land? To the OP; you did great. It took me at least 100 jumps more than you to realize just because I CAN make it back to the main, that doesn't mean I SHOULD land in the main. A predictable landing pattern is extremely important (especially at a larger DZ such as the one I jump at!) "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

+1 beautifully put! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

I was horrified the first 10 jumps....I kept thinking this better get less scary or I am done! It did....don't worry it will get better. Then worse, then better...and so on...at least that has been my pattern. Right now my big fear is blowing the exit shot..... "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

great choice on the gear......anyone who tells you that you went too big is just making it clear how little they know (or jump!) congrats! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

+1 I would buy one too if the price is within my budget. I have a hypeye and cameye for my cx100 and my HC5 respectively, but the adapter would let me keep my cameye even if I upgrade my HC5! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

My wife called me out front yesterday when she saw u guys under canopy. I saw the jumper who had the flag fly towards the cemetery. I live pretty close, so close in fact, my backyard is in the last pic you posted, second backyard on the bottom right. Nice Job!

The AFF course will be similar regardless which of the 3 you pick. (Elsinore, Perris, or San Diego) I have done most of my jumps, including AFF, at Elsinore. I have jumped at Perris but not at SD; (but only cuz I have less than a 1000 jumps and no AAD!) Regardless, how hard AFF is depends on you and how bad you want to get your A. Most people who take the First Jump Course, do not finish AFF, much less get their A. Some people have to work harder than others, and most people have to repeat a level or 2. Some just get it and fly right through. I had to repeat level 4 myself. The best advice I can give is to pay attention during class; and on the jump, RELAX! It made no sense to me at the time but it sure does now! I suggest Elsinore but mainly because not only did I get my A there, but so did my daughter! It is smaller than Perris but still busy. It is a very friendly dz with a laid-back vibe. Lots of free coaching once you get your A as well!! Good luck whichever DZ u pick, any of the 3 would be an excellent choice!! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

I got mine around 50 jumps but my first jump on it was jump 78. But a guy on my 4 way team rented at the dz 3-6 days each month for about 2 years. We did the math, he spent over $6K on rentals. He racked up around 450 jumps then bought a rig off of Jay Stokes....go figure "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

I have done most of my jumps at Elsinore and a few at Perris as well. Currently I am doing video for a belly 4 way team, Elsinore Rigby. We all have between 350 - 650 jumps. But more importantly 4 out of 5 of us got our A's at Elsinore, which is how the team started. We all started jumping within weeks/months of each other. I think Perris is a great DZ, but I have only been there with other jumpers as a group. So I have no experience meeting new people there jumping by myself. I just know Elsinore is small enough that it is almost difficult NOT to meet new people. From what you posted I really think you would like Elsinore. I was like you; I did a tandem never planning on becoming a skydiver, but I was hooked right away. I saved up for 2 months, came back to Elsinore and got my A in a month. Oh yeah, in between my tandem and my AFF I decided to go to the tunnel at Perris. We got in there and the tunnel instructor (who looked kind of familiar, but I had no clue who he was at first) asked me if I had done a tandem recently at Elsinore, I said yes, and he told me he was my instructor! Which he was, I got the video to prove it!! (OK I will admit I was pretty dam nervous during the tandem and the tunnel!!) I don't know how I didn't know who he was, I had only watched the video 300x by then! Where ever you get your A, it only gets better and better!! Welcome to Skydiving!!

I would look for a complete used setup and see if your parents will just get you that. You may not find anything that fits you that you like, BUT you may get lucky like I did. I got mine at my DZ thru an awesome instructor almost 2 years ago. It is an Aerodyne Icon (Made in 9/05) with a Smart 160 Reserve for $1700. I was GIVEN a PD Sabre 170 (thanks Montana!) that needed a new lineset right away but including the first reserve repack and new lines I spent just under $2200 (no AAD though). I have put almost 350 jumps on that rig and I still have that setup. My w/l is kind of low (1.05) but I still have a blast flying my canopy and I have the ability to downsize to a 135 with the same container and it fits me perfectly. I intend to put at least 400 jumps on this canopy before downsizing; though at this point I cannot find a reason to jump a smaller canopy. (Well in high/moderate winds my final is pretty much straight down lol) Flying my canopy is normally my favorite part of the jump next to the exit! Again, I know I got lucky...(thanks Lelo & Kody!)...but you might too! Good luck! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

Personally I have gotten out on green when I could ONLY see clou...I mean Industrial Haze! Regardless, you did the right thing! I am impressed you did not give in to the other jumpers bitchin...it took me a few hundred jumps before I was able and willing to tune them out and worry about my ass first! IMO, unless you feel very confident about making it back from a long spot or an off dz landing, it is VERY important to have a visual spot of the DZ before exiting Good job! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

I don't see much difference between the Republicans and Democrats. They both want a big governments and don't believe in the tenth amendment. Although the Republicans are supposedly pro-rich the tax system became more progressive under Bush 43. Although the Democrats are supposedly tax-and-spend liberals, Bill Clinton was responsible for well-fare reform and a balanced budget under accepted voting rules. I often vote for libertarians. Although they're unlikely to be elected for more than local offices, one of the big two might throw some concessions my way when they loose like the Republicans have with evangelical Christians. REALLLLLLY. I could try to vote for my own-interests but things don't work out that way. I could vote Republican because I like guns, but would be disappointed when my politicians do anti-gun things like Schwarzenegger signing a bill prohibiting mail-order ammunition sales. I could vote Democrat because I think adults should be able to party with substances other than alcohol, although Democrats have a long history of endorsing decriminalization (like Jimmy Carter) and backing off once elected for political reasons. +1 wow that is the most wisdom-filled post I have ever seen on this forum

If you've never jumped a tailgate, get over to Perris. The days of tailgate jumpships (in the US) are numbered, so get out of one while you still can. Otters are great, but they're eveywhere and will probably be around skydiving far longer than the few Skyvans left. +1 some of my favorite jumps at Elsinore were out of Perris' Skyvan!!!!! Hanging from the bar underneath the step on exit is mind-blowing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8wgmNFc3zM "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."

Perris is a bigger belly DZ but Elsinore is much more laid back. On the weekends you should have no problems finding belly jumpers to jump with at Elsinore. During the week it can be touch-and-go regarding the number of RW jumpers. But since they are 15 minutes apart just goto Elsinore, then goto Perris. Personally, I think you should jump at both if you have at least 2 days to jump, but if you come to Elsinore first I doubt you will leave!! "Tell ya the truth, I don't think this is a brains kind of operation."