EFS4LIFE

Thanks all. I promise to take it slow, and my plan is to stay with the Samuai for quite awhile. I know I have at least another season, if not two on my136. Just was wondering if when I eventually get down to like a Sam 105 what the transition to a say Velo 103 be like? I think it natural to wonder about stuff like that. I understand your responses, but i am definitely focused on my current canopy, learning all I can on it, and taking it slow.... the progression not the swoops CraigBey after next season, or two, I plan on taking you up on that Sam 120! Taxiway you are right,I probably could get more out of my 90. That is why I am going to have my coach review videos of my 90 and give me some constructive criticism to see if I am ready to progress to a 180 or if I need to work on maxing out my 90 more. Technique is everything. That being said, I worked on my technque all season tomaxout my 90. Coaching isnt free (unless you are a lucky SOB) so I wanted to be getting the maximum outta my 90 before paying to have it reviewed by my coach. I am getting some pretty damn long swoops for just a 90. I won't be surpirised if he says good job,but you get more by this or that. I am prepared to go back to work on his advice too. I want a strong foundation to build off so I want my 90 to be awesome and consistent. I feel like it is getting there, but we will see what the coach says. I am an asshole, but I am honest

I did not say I was worrying about anything. I asked a specific question about similarities or extreme differences between certain canopies. Never in any of my previous post did I imply I was ready to fly a Velo. (which IMHO is what you are trying to imply) In fact I stated I was not. That is EXACTLY what I am doing. I am just trying to make sure that what I am focused on (Sam) is right for MY future. Did I not elude to that very fact extensively? Actually elude is a bad word..... I said almost exactly that about myself. Reread my post please. Did I also not mention not wanting to get broken? Did you not read the post previous to yours in response to AggieDave? Wow, one sentenance that applies to my question! Thanks! I will stick to the Sam! Seriously guys people should be allowed to ask questions on this site, otherwise what in the hell are these forums for? I made PERFECTLY clear that I had NO intention of switching canopies until I can push this one to it's absolute limits yet I still get this? If you take a step back and realize that I have zero experience on a crossbraced, really read what I said, and think back to your experience at my level, then you will realize you propably had similar questions too. I have heard from VERY experienced people that the canopy I am on is GREAT for learning how to swoop. In my limited experience on it that has proven very true. I have learned a ton and also mention how much I still don't know. I was just simply wondering about the possible transition from it. I realize people need to be concerned that some guy is gonna jump from a Sam 136 to a sub 100 Velo but please FOR REAL people. Did I not do a good enough job articulating or what? I am an asshole, but I am honest

AggieDave I think you are low on your estimate, however you did say AT LEAST 500 jumps. Others may jump Velos at 900 jumps, but I know my current skill level. I am learning the right way, and I don't think I will be ready for that canopy in 500 jumps, but then again I also know I am not looking to compete. I am already behind the curve with age and don't have the drive that those guys have. Nick, the CP I received coaching from based off your suggestion btw, has incredible drive to be THE BEST. Hell he KNOWS he is the best. I just don't have that lol. I just want to have fun and try not to get broke doing it. I also have learned enough in this sport though to never say never, and to try to say where I will be in 500 jumps lol, so you maybe more accurate than my current estimation and statement, because you have been where I am and have more experience. I thought I did a good job of articulating I wasn't in a rush with my original post, but maybe I failed to convey that. Don't fret bruddah I am good on the 136 and have zero desire to go anywhere until I am flying the fuck outta it. I am just now flying the fuck outta a 90 and nowhere near the full potenital of this canopy. It is funny how once you realize that, I mean truely realize, that your canpoy is capable of SO much more than you are giving it, you take a step back and realize you have to go slow in your progression. I was just curious if this is the right canopy to continue my progression on if my goal is to eventually go crossbraced, which I don't even know if that is in my future as I stated so it may all be moot anyway. Sounds like you are saying that if I take my time, do it right, then I will be skilled enough at the time to compensate for any difference in canopy? And I shouldn't worry about it and stay with the Sam. I love it, so why change anyway. Please correct me if I am wrong because I do not want to put words into your mouth that you don't agree with. I guess this all came about because one of my mentors that has world record and national championship freefly experience told me to get off my Stiletto when I expressed interest in swooping. I realize that is a whole other debate (short vs. long recovery arc) and don't want to get into it, but he recomended the Samurai as a good intro to swooping canopy. BTW he also recommened I stay on the Sam until I am over 1,000 jumps like he did. I think he was up to 2,000 before going to his Velo. I am in NO way doubting his advice. I just began to think about the differences between the Stiletto and Sam, why the Sam is better to learn to swoop on, and then kinda transferred those thoughts between the Sam and Velo if that makes any sense. Like I said in the OP this is all probably stupid and moot anyway. I was just wondering. I am an asshole, but I am honest

So I love my current canopy. Samurai 136 at 1.4 WL. I would also like to express up front that I am nowhere near close to being able to downsize yet. I received some coaching from one of the top canopy pilots last summer. I spent all season attempting to perfect my 90 degree front riser turn. I just now feel ready to show him my progress on the 90 and see if I am ready to progress further. So obviously I have not come close to getting every ounce of performance out of this canopy yet, which is my goal before going down a size. I do feel that I am getting the most possible out of a 90 now though which has me stoked. Coaching makes a world of difference! Anyway my question is on my possible future progress. I am wondering if I stay on the Samurai and just continue my downsize progression on that canopy would the transition to a Velocity eventually (when I am getting to around a 2 to 1 WL) be a radical change? I have heard the Katana is a great canopy for the transition to a Velo. Would going to a Katana 135 (same size) after I ring out the Samurai be preferable in some of your minds? I love the Samurai so my thought is to stay with what I love, but I have no experience with the Katana either. I guess my main concern would be the comparable recovery arcs. I am under the impression the Katana would have a longer recovery arc, and so does the Velo. Whereas the recovery is a bit shorter on the Samurai, although I would not call it a "short" recovery by any means. Nothing like a Stiletto. Lol I don't know. I guess it's pointless because I still have so far to take the Samurai still and I am very content to do just that. Just was curious because I thought about it. Hell I might find I am content on the Samurai at a 1.6 or 1.8 and never go crossbraced anyway. After all I still have no idea how fast this Sam can really go yet. I just may find the 136 is fast enough and the whole discussion would be moot,but welcome any thoughts. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Unfortunately many staff memebers (more so at small DZ's) are relied on to show up and do their job. Imagine a small Cessna DZ with just a couple tandem instructors and a fully booked weekend. They suck it up, and pull their weight if it is something minor. Happens all the time all over the country. Doesn't mean it is worth the risk, but it happens. I am an asshole, but I am honest

What I am trying to get across to people is that you could be clearing fine, like I was, but if you have any sinus fluid in there you could force it into your inner ear doing so, and if you haven't experienced what that does to you trust me you don't want it to be on a skydive. It is not just a clearing issue. That only will cause pain. I am talking about something entirely different that jumpers should know about. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Unfortunately my issue is still not resolved completely. Doc put me on Dramamine to help with nauseau, a prescription nasal spray to reduce inflamation, and continued pseudophedrine to dry it out. Could take a week or two to go away completely. Just thought of how many times I have cleared my ears on the way to altitude only to jump out. Not smart if there is any fluid in there I learned. I have never experienced anything like this before. And I agree it is bad ettiquette to risk getting others sick! My bad :( I am an asshole, but I am honest

I thought I would just post a lesson I learned today. Thankfully I did not have to learn it the hard way as can be the case. I am suffering from a common head cold. No big deal. Usual stuff. Congestion in my nose and sinus area. Used nasal spray, pseudophede, over counter stuff. I could clear the pressure in my ears and figured "I will just make a hop and pop." I was always told the main concern with sinus congestion and skydiving was the possible pain of not be able to compensate the pressure do to the congestion. I have seen other skydivers "tough it out" with colds while doing working jumps, I could tough it out for one hop and pop. The jump was uneventful. No non-clearing issues. No pain. Didn't realize until another jumper on the ground told me my nose was bleeding. Huh, well that serves me right. No more jumping for now. Today, while NOT skydiving. My sinus problems were starting to clear. I was feeling better. The pressure in my ears felt out of wack though, so I pinched my nose and blew to clear them. Let me explain what happened enternally. Sinus fluid inside my sinus passage was forced into my inner ear cavity. I am no doctor, but from what I understand this is where your body gets all of it sense of balance from. Maybe a medical professional here could go into further detail. Consequently I spent the next couple of hours with my world spinning. I felt dizzier than if I was super duper black out drunk. I ending up with severe vomitting and hardly able to walk. I was stumbling like I was drunk. I could not even drive myself to the doctor, a co-worker had to. By the way I was completely sober at work :) Anyway I thought I would post this because I thought "What if I that fluid went in my inner ear on a skydive?" Now I have been accused of thinking highly of my "mad skillz" in regards to skydiving, but I will tell you my skills would have been no match to keep myself from hurting, or killing myself, or even worse someone else, if I was experiencing that on a skydive. I can land downwind, crosswind, acurately, and am confident under my canopy, but I would not have wanted to try that landing. I couldn't even walk or see straight lol. So my lesson I learned....if I have a cold I am skipping the jumping until I am 100 percent. No little cold is worth that possible outcome. If this has been addressed before apologies for the repeat thread, and just figured there are probably jumpers out there that have not thought of this possibility and wouldn't want them to learn the hard way. Blue ones. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Skyharley I 100% totally agree! In my short time in the sport I have observed too many tandem instructions that do not include this potentially life saving information. I realize that a tandem passenger can only retain so much information, and the instructor knowing this emphasizes ARCH, but I think maybe more time needs to be spent teaching tandem passengers. Most of the time it ends up being a one time carnival ride type of situation. They are pushed through quickly with limited instruction, and although I understand the need for efficiency at the DZ as far as time and numbers (i.e. money made) I think we also need to think of the what if situations too. It is a difficult balance for sure. On one hand you don't want tandem passengers to think about what ifs, but on the other hand that example given proves the other side of the equation. In my limited experience I am not sure what the right answer to that equation is. I am not a TI, nor pretend to be. Just spinning thoughts through my head :) I am an asshole, but I am honest

Oh yeah and the airlock issue is debatable if it is actually safer, but I have noticed the canopy doesn't do that accordian breathing thing my Stiletto did as much, and feels better to me. Might be a mental thing though lol. It's funny to see it on the ground still inflated like an air mattress! I am an asshole, but I am honest

It was WAY back in the thread but you said the Samurai won't fit in the container? I am less expereinced but I am starting to fly a Samurai. On BigAirSports it says it's only 5% more pack volume because of the airlocks, and it should fit in containers for similar sizes with just lengthening the closing loop a tad. At least that's what BG said I guess. I found it accurate. I won't get into it's characteristics becuase I only have like 8 jumps on it and still feeling it out, but I like mine :) Of course every pilot likes HIS ride. Couldn't hurt to try it though. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Just my two unsolicited two cents. If an LZ is large enough to seperate a strictly HP landing area and a strictly normal pattern area then this should be mandated. If an LZ is too small to do this and have to share a LZ then swoopers must get out low. If this means your DZ becomes anti-swooper bc they don't like to do two seperate passes than that is that DZ's loss. Adapt and overcome or lose some of those spectators that come to watch the swoop show. Basically in some way they must be seperated either by geographical space or time. At some DZ's this might mean swoopers have to give up those group freefalls if they want to swoop, but there will be plenty of DZ's that have the space for alternate LZ's. I do not know the specifics of the recent fatalities but I believe it has shown that experience does not make us immune. If I am mistaken please correct me. It is obvious we need to take action, and I support it. My DZ is limited on space. If you are going to do more than a 90 you ARE doing a hop and pop, period. I am fine with it. No complaints. Safety first, swoop second. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Ok so I was wondering if anyone knew of a good canopy course instructor that is willing to travel to our DZ and conduct a course. We are located in Missouri near St. Louis. I have received permission from my DZO to look into organizing a course. If anyone can refer me to someone it would be appreciated. I am also looking into how many jumpers in my area would be willing to commit to attending. Just starting to look into things right now, but I know I need it, and a lot of the newer jumpers in my area would probably attend as well. Thanks for any help in advance. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Davelepka if you had actually giving any advice other than "it all adds up to giving up on swooping" maybe I would have actually listened to you. Yes at my jump numbers I consider myself a young jumper. That doesn't not mean that I cannot go about learning HP canopy flight. I heard all the stories when Nick Batsch was a young jumper learning near here there were a bunch of guys trying to keep him down to. Look at him now. I am not saying I have the talent or skill of him. Hell I might never be good enough to compete. I don't know, but I will never know if I don't try will I? I have gone about it safely. You don't even know the specifics of what I have done, what I am doing, or my questions. It seems to me you are just blasting me because of my jump numbers without considering or caring about anything else. I appreciate your story of the inury. I witnessed the canopy collapse at couch freaks last year it happened right in front of my tent, I witnessed a guy from the chinese team hook himself in at Deland over the winter when he lost a toggle. I could tell my own story's about people dying or getting seriously injured. Want me to? I doubt it because anyone who has been around the sport has heard them, and if you wanted to you could just go read the incidents. If injuries bother you then you are in the wrong sport IMHO. The blood and guts crap doesn't work with someone who has seen those type of incidents himself, and still wants to do this knowing the risk. I knew the risks before I made my first jump. I have learned a lot since then. I also realize that swooping is the most dangerous discipline in this sport. That doesn't scare me away from trying to learn it as safe as I can. If I come off as that guy from the can you teach me to swoop cartoon so be it. I would rather ask some questions and get flamed for it then not try to garner information from more experienced jumpers. I understand the very basics of swooping. I am not the cartoon. I have been doing high altitude clear and pulls and learning everything I can about diving my canopy. The specific questions I had, not that you care, related to building techniques to keeping my canopy in a dive longer so that I can initiate higher. I hate 180's as well. The only reason I attempted one is because I was getting bored with 90's and doubles. I got out on a hop'n'pop and was the only jumper in the pattern, so I practiced it about three times up higher then went for it. I planed out too high, and I had initiated it at 400 feet. I know I should not be bringing it any lower. In fact I should be doing it higher. I understand enough to know that. So I got some good advice on how to work on slowing my turn and keeping it diving in PMs. A simple answer to a question. No flaming. I also am gonna follow the PMers advice and go back to 90's and doubles. Does the PMer think I should be swooping at all yet? I don't know he didn't blast me. He did however give his advice in a knowledgable manner and I listened. You think I only listen to what I want to hear? Ya I really wanted to hear go back to 90's until you are extremely consistent making that canopy dive longer. I really wanted to hear that I am making mistakes. No I don't really want to hear that, but I did. I listened, and am following his advice. If more people would actually take the approach of the PM a lot more of what you say would be heard by guys "that only listen to what they want to hear." I have no doubt your intentions are well dave, but your approach is shit. That is just my opinion. Can't handle that, don't want to listen to that because it's not what you want to hear? I am an asshole, but I am honest

Now there is I response that I actually took something from. It has nothing to do with my ego. It has to do with your approach. I wish I was lucky enough to have the mentoring you do. I don't. That is why I have reduced myself to looking for some on DZ.com. I do take what I am doing seriously, and I know I am at a critical stage (200-800 jumps IMHO) where I am extremely suspectable to believing my skills are better than they are. If you read the PM's with guys that did PM me you, would have faith that I grasp this very well. That is why I posted this thread. Not to start shit, that Davelepka did on his own accord. I am reaching out (not to get approval as that asshole stated) but to acctually learn a few things. It is unfortunate that I do not have coaches available, but that is not my fault. I simply want to learn. That is why I said what I did about him. He doesn't seem to care if anyone wants to learn. He doesn't care why, they are not experienced enough. Athough he will tell you "He cares because of safety." I bet he made a similar progression and mistakes. Although he probably won't admit to it unless I resurrect old post to contradict him. Look I want advice. I want help. I know I am at a dangerous point, otherwise I wouldn't be asking for assistance. If you want to be like Davelepka then ignore this thread please. If you want to contribute to a young jumper's learning then please PM me. I WILL listen, but I do have questions of my own. If you choose to ignore because you don't want to get involved in my development....I understand. Really I do. Just don't be a dick please. Thanks. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Ok let me break it down for you. Go read all of Dave's posted to all threads. You will be hard pressed to find anywhere where he is not ripping young jumpers. That is a fact. Do you want to me to copy and paste all of them? Although your interpretations of what Dave is saying (nice job BTW) seems sensible that is NOT what he said in his posts. Let Dave back up his own posts (he is a man and capable I hope) otherwise step off please. This is not the first time I have had this arrogant MF'er lurk me and post assinine statements and I am sure won't be the last. Hence the reason why I and a WHOLE bunch of newer jumpers don't post shit. I hope the moderators actually read this and actually do a non-biased investigation. Want to believe it or not crap like this HURTS our sport by making newer jumpers affraid to ask questions and learn. I post I don't want to get flammed and look what happens? LOL the biggest flamer comes out right away. For shit and giggles lets take a poll. How many HP canopy pilots started in the 300 jump range? I bet I am not the first, and definitely not the last. By the way. The death under a good canopy thing.....ya most of those are experienced canopy piolts with over a thousand jumps. What can you reply to that? How about you try to help a brother out when he has questions and not be a condesending prick to him? Fuck Davelepka and fuck anyone like him. He is an ASSHAT. Peace out. I am an asshole, but I am honest

I in fact have video of my turns and landings from the ground and from a helmet cam perspective. I AM looking for someone experienced to look at those, and give me advice. Hence the request for a PM. I DO NOT have a HP canopy pilot coah available at my small DZ to help me....that is why I posted this thread. Dave is not being helpful in anyway. He is being an ass. Tell me just ONE helpful thing he said from his previous post.......no? Can't see one peice of helpful advice can you? Hmmm. Maybe you call "stop swooping now" as helpful advice. I don't know LMAO doesn't seem very helpful to me. It seems like a personal blast. Someone PLEASE set me straight if I am being unlogical. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY PEOPLE SAY DZ.COM IS ONLY GOOD FOR CLASSIFIEDS TO BUY GEAR! Wake up just how full of themselves are people like this? Quit backing someone because of their jump #'s and actually demand that if you ask for advice or help they give it to you, or shut the fuck up. I am not being unreasonable at my jump #'s and experience to start swooping. How many at my level started? Sorry I don't have the coaching available, guess what NOT my fault. It just ISN'T there to be had. Go cup Dave's balls and stroke his cock if you want, but he IS being a dick and you are only adding to HIS ego, not mine. I am an asshole, but I am honest

I'm content to let the people read my stuff and draw their own conclusions. I doubt the majority would agree with your above conclusion. BTW - ask anyone who knows, me, I'm the same guy here, there or anywhere. I don't make this shit up, I just put in the proper perspective. Everything I wrote in my response to you was just that, a response to what you wrote. You wrote it, you put it out there, no deal with it (hint - calling me names isn't dealing with anything except maybe your hurt feelings). I wonder if we did a poll of new jumpers that are hesistant to ask anything online because of people JUST like you. I bet the numbers would be high. In fact I have talked to several students/and new jumpers that are affraid to ask questions on DZ.com or anywhere else because of people just like you. I call that a disservice to the sport. You disagree fine. Let your arrogance keep you up on that high horse. Here is a little secrete. You probably make a shitty teacher/instructor, or are a liar. No good teacher talks like you do here on DZ.com. Never, ever, have the great teachers talked like you do on this site. You wonder why? Because it is ineffective. It is human nature that when the person thinks the other person speaking is an asshole they stop listening! Wow rocket science isn't it! I very sincerely doubt you would talk to me the way you have on here face to face at a boogie bonfire. If you did you would probably end up in physical pain, and it would just relect the fact that you have not learned a lesson or two from a good old ass kicking. The "proper perspective" is you assuming that your perspective is always right. Any wise man knows this is not always so. You might have more experience skydiving. I do not deny that, but if you ask me your social skills either suck or you are putting on a front online. Either way it is hard for me to respond to you without name calling, and it had NOTHING to do with "hurt feelings" lol. It has to do with you being an ASSHAT. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Thanks Aggie, I think I will give him a shout. I know he requested my on FB so I will send him a line or two. Couldn't hurt anyway. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Dave your the fucking reason why I requested a PM. You are a fucking asshole you know that? Take your fucking skygod attitude somewhere else. Sorry I am not at a big DZ with tons of HP canopy pilot coahes to assist me. All one has to do is go read all the forums where you attack young jumpers to realize you are a fucking asshole. You claim to do it for safety, but in reality you are just a sad dickhead who likes to makes himself feel big and accomplished online. Try having that attitude face to face at the bonfire. Wouldn't be too long before someone feed you a fucking knuckle sandwhich. I ordered the book yesterday online, excuse the fuck outta me it hasn't got here yet. This is NOT soley your fucking sight, or sport. It's MINE too. Quit being such a douchebag that you actually scare away new jumpers from asking questions. You are doing a disservice to the sport by doing so, even if you justify it as being the safety police. FUCK OFF I am an asshole, but I am honest

Nick? St. Louis? Nick who? Are you referring to Nick Batsch? I think he is from somewhere nearby. Never met or talked to him, but I know guys around hear that have and everyone talks about him. It would be amazing to get coaching from someone like that, but just because he is a pro swooper doesn't mean he would be intersested in coaching right? Like I said I have no idea. I have never even talked to the guy, but I am definitely game for any help. I am an asshole, but I am honest

I agree with Brian that overall they would aid to the safety. I know I am a lower time jumper, but I have my own experience with an audible. I got one at about 80 jumps because I started to experiement with Free Flying and refused to try it without one because of the whole internal clock being off because of increased freefall speed. Anyway when my instructor saw me pull out my shiny new audible at 80 jumps she pulled me aside and cautioned me to never rely on it, ever. She said that it is a great aid, but that it is like an aad in a way. You never wait for it to fire. It is prone to failure like anything else. I took that advice to heart. I never wait for the beep, but if I hear it I instantly know where it thinks I am. It has greatly improved my accuracy, well at least I think. Just because it beeps doesn't mean I have to turn, and I don't have to wait for the beep to turn either. I simply use it to aid me in confirming what I am seeing. I adjust my pattern off of my visual sight picture, but the beep has aided me to make adjustments to that pattern as necessary too, i.e entering my downwind lower than I thought I was, hearing the beep for 1,000 earlier than I expected. A visual check of my altimeter, along with my sight picture tells me I am lower than expected. I go to brakes, or rears to increase my glide, and adjust my pattern accordingly. I don't think students need the added distraction, but even lower jump number skydivers can greatly improve their accuracy with proper use. I am begining HP landings now, and if I am not set up perfectly before the alarm goes off then I abort. Better to swoop another day, and I still have plenty of recent experience landing straight in :) I am an asshole, but I am honest

Missouri, near St. Louis I really do want some quality coching and would love to find some! Money sucks though Just ask my DZO my account is always upside down lol I am an asshole, but I am honest

Thanks for the reply, and advice. Unfortunately I do not have a canopy coach that does HP landings available to me at my DZ (small 182 DZ with a small staff) I have ordered BG's book, but still waiting for it to arrive. I plan to attend a course when I can, but just looking for a few answers to a few specific questions I have in the meantime. I am an asshole, but I am honest

Ok so I am starting attempts at HP landings. Started with double fronts straight in. Progressed to 90's to doubles, and made my first attempt at a 180 the other day. I realize there is alot of more info needed to properly give advice. Expereicne, canopy, WL, etc. etc. I also realize that lower number jumpers tend to get flamed to death on this site. I have some specific questions, but not trying to open a flame session either, so I would appreciate to continue this conversation with a PM if there is a canopy pilot out there willing to help answer some basic questions without publicly flaming me. I realize others beginning the same discipline might have the same questions, but I just don't want to feed any fires. Thanks in advance. I am an asshole, but I am honest