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all my shits are pleasantly warm THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

I'm such a dork; I still haven't seen Point Break! I wanted to see it when it came out, never did. About a month ago it was on TV and I tried to record it, but then realized it was on a suscription channel and all I got was a black screen. I guess I will have to go out and pay the $1.00 at the video store...if they still have it on reel THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Totalled out at 20...is it a good thing that begging for candy is diminishing?? But I do love some of creative costumes. THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

7 so far..wahh! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

First off thoughts and prayers to the injured young lady!! No matter what the circumstance she deserves our support in a speedy recovery. Now to the conversation of waivers for under 18, in every sport that my child has played since she was 4 I have had to sign a waiver for her to participate. Cheerleading is one of the most dangerous sports around, but we routinely sign 5-17 y/o waivers. These are not required tasks but elective sports. Football leagues are the same, soccer, rugby etc. etc, so why is skydiving any different? The better question is why do we allow ambulance chasing lawyers rule what we have the freedom of choice to do? This society is so full of weak ass kids, its good for a kid to learn about safety and consequence. i am all for protecting our kids, but I am not for padding them so much they can't function when someone calls them a bad name that they go on a shooting spree or commit suicide. I think many sports help toughen up kids. They learn how to win and lose, they learn their capabilities and limitations. So many lessons can be learned by being involved in sports. Yes, skydiving is dangerous and in some cases deadly but there are so many other sports kids participate in every day that can permanently debilitate them as well and again we as parents sign away. How is this incident any different? One last opinion, I received a good deal of my training at Start and upon being licensed have returned there several times, while at the same time I have been to several other drop zones as well. During my training and my visits Start's concentration on safety has been strictly enforced and highlighted repetively! I have not met one instructor at Start that I don't respect and value their expertise. Each one I have met does not contend to be a skygod and continuously train to learn how to more safely and efficiently train their students. THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Didn't know where best to place this inquiry? Speakers corner was as good as any. THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Has anyone had problems receiving their Parachutist? July I didnt receive it until middle of the month. Currently, I have not yet received the August issue. Has anyone else had this problem? THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Bought new Rig after buying a used rig off DZ.com that didnt quite fit me. I bought it after I was off student status: Icon I5, Pilot 188zpx, 175 smart reserve, skyhook, Vigil 2, etc. I went to a boogie and demoed a couple different type rigs and liked it best. I then got a multitude of advice from the DZO which has over 4,000 jumps (thanks Mike). I researched the heck out of the rig and components on DZ.com, dealer websites, and discussed with several up jumpers specifically instructors. I may have been a pain of sorts, but I wanted to make the most informed decision possible. Long story long: I chose this rig for 1. comfort- before I bruised on the inner thigh..love the cushioning of the ICON. 2. Made to my body- again toward comfort 3. safety- Pilots have a good reputation for being good for beginning to moderate jumpers. Of course this is dependant on choosing an appropriate W/L. 4. ZPX- packing- I suck at it and anything that helps me learn the better. smaller size, not a slippery when new as the ZP and Aerodyne color coded lines- LOVE THIS. 5. Flight characteristics- great glide and good flare. 6. Downsize capabilities- if I so desire I can down size in this container 3 times 188zpx, 168zpx, 168zp, or 150zp....manufacturer dependent on sizes of course. 7. Included features- many things come standard on the ICON that other vendors upcharge for. 8. The only thing I would change if I ordered again is I would have chosen a D Handle for my reserve versus a pillow. However, all in all I figured I get more bang for my buck with this rig. It is a chore, but again it is your life you are wagering with. I know there are a lot of good used rigs out there, but I didnt want to deal with the chore of sorting the good with the bad ones in regards to fit and safety. This one was made for me and I feel that I can jump it for several hundreds of jumps before I am at a skill level that supercedes my current rig. It all comes down to making the most informed decision by researching and weighing the options available. Good luck! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

West Tennessee Skydiving -40 miles east of Memphis in Whiteville, TN. They have the super king air, which rocks! and some really great people. YOu should check them out. [url]http://www.skydivekingair.com/ THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

I own an I-5 with the pilot 188 zpx. I am newer jumper and like to pay packers due to me being a lazy jumper. I have 92 jumps and maybe packed my rig 20-30 times. I have the 175 smart reserve, an AAD and a skyhook. In the limited times I have packed my main it has been fairly easy to pack..it isnt as neat as others pack it, but not too hard to get it in the bag, has great openings and no issues thus far. Not that i have a lot of experience versus other containers, but I love my Icon..much better than student gear. My main flies great, it has one heck of a glide. IMO the combination I have is a great beginner system for packing and flying. I hope this helps. Good luck!! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Registered and counting down the days! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Also btw I love the color choice!!! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Another novice opinion here. I think you made a great choice. I did the same as you ...bought new off of student status. Several good reasons to buy new and big canopy. 1. Made for your body; 2. helps learn consistant skills instead of renting gear and having canopy characteristic variables, so you can concentrate on how certain inputs perform different maneuvers. 3. If you leave the sport for awhile, if you get injured, or gain weight you can always come back to jump your larger more forgiving canopy until you get back to your comfort level if you dont sell it. When and if I downsize I plan on keeping my first big main for this specific potential purpose. I have 40 jumps on my new (.97 WL) canopy and love it. I just took a canopy course with it and yes front risers are tough, but at least I am learning the techniques. Good luck and have fun!! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Congrats!!! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Thanks flygirl!! Hope to fly with you again sooonnn!!!! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Yes, we had O2 for everyone. No problem with the spot; it was perfect. Everyone landed within 20' of the peas. THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Great to hear, I love those kind of days. Looking forward to meeting you and you new suit in a couple week! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Had to share: Had a fantastic day yestday at the DZ. Got 3 jumps in after 5pm (rare for me after work since i live an hour from the DZ), but the best one was the last load. We decided to climb til the sun began to set; got the 206 up to 17,000' before the sun said "hey guys I'm ready for bed, get out already" . So not to turn this sunset load into a night jump we asked the pilot to configure the plane for jump run. The 5 of us climbed out and had a superior smooth exit. Formed a round did some turns, backflips, donuts....smiles all around! Man it felt like we were in freefall forever and I LOVED EVERY SECOND! Under canopy watching the sun slowly start to drift under the horizon was spectacular. What a great way to do my FIRST high altitude jump...yes I said first I can't imagine what 20k will feel like, but ready to give it a go. THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

My daughters cheerleading coach had this exact same message go out to all her address book. It was crazy a bunch of 7-15 yr old girls were in tears thinking their coach was in danger and needed help! There were quite a few parents that wanted to take a trip to open a can of ... THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Instructor given with my intials: I flew and sometimes still do fly with my mouth wide open and my cheeks fill up with air. So after we would jump it seemed like the whole DZ wanted to watch my video and watch my cheeks flap in the wind It could be worse. THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Went to airborne school in the 90's and failed out, due to the sling loading trainer...that doggone apparatus was my nemosis, so i felt I left something unfinished and always wanted to skydive. In 2007 tried for my 30th birthday, but the DZO were arse's and very short with us...I didnt yet understand wind issues and they were sure not willing to explain why we couldnt jump. Felt like our existance bothered them, so we ended up leaving disappointed. So when I finally graduated college, it was time again to try! Skydive KY Memorial day weekend 2008, Tandem out of a King Air. My best friend decided she would try as well. Same plane, same altitude, TOTALLY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES!! I LOVED IT and she HATED IT; she could not stop kissing the ground over and over again. I immediately signed up for AFF. Funny thing is as I was talking to my tandem instructor I found out they were the same guys that I were so disappointed with the year before; they had closed that DZ and opened this one. Crazy right?? Again, same people, but 2 totally different experiences. Well student stataus was long and gruelly- doggone winds!!! But finally got my "A" towards the end of last year and I love every second I get to soar through the sky. I think the birth of my daughter is the only thing that tops it. THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Big fat 0 We had a new DZ opening on Friday and many of the local Up Jumpers planned a big opening weekend, but alas the great flood of 2010 interferred!!! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

New jumper here, so take the below advice for whatever its worth. I bought a used container right off student status only jumping it 3 times (winds) and thought I liked it, so I bought it; jumped 10 more times and hated it; It was bruising the heck out of my shoulders and inner thighs just like the student and rental gear did. I went to a boogie and tried some other rigs and really realized how much I hated my rig. So I decided I wanted something made based on my body measurements, since I am oddly shaped. I based my decisions on SAFETY / what should I be able to handle in an emergency situation basis; therefore, my decision of what size container to buy was based mostly on my wingloading under a reserve based on my ST&A, DZO and instructors advice. We decided I would need a 175 reserve to be a conservative 1:1 w/l. We looked at ICON because they were having a GREAT sale on containers. I talked to Aerodyne and inquired about Mains to fit the container with the 175 reserve. He instructed that I could get an ICON I5 and put a 188ZPX since it has a smaller pack volume. I was able to fit it in just fine, even slippery as it was. Then he told me the container is actually made for a 168, so I could put a 168 or a 168 zpx in it and be perfect. This is where I think I will be after a few hundred jumps with the 188. And if I feel real frisky he said I could put a normal 150 ZP in this container and it would still be fine and not too loose. I dont anticipate getting that frisky, but it made me feel better knowing I could potentially downsize 3 times in one rig. But no matter the above I will have comfort knowing that I have a 175 reserve that could save my arse and hopefully limit any unecessary injuries. So 3 downsizes in a container made for my body; for me it was worth it!!! I have 20 jumps on my new container and no bruises and LOVE it! Makes me LOVE Skydiving even more. Friend bought a new rig, didnt ask any questions, liked the look and color of it and only after purchase realized he couldnt pack the main becuase it was so tight in the container (even experienced jumpers have trouble packing it) and his reserve right off student status gave him a w/l 1.25 w/l; he's now broken My main advice: Think Reserve First, Main second. Ask lots of questions! I think the DZO and ST&A that I bought my rig through maybe cringed a little when I called since i asked so many questions. There are lots of questions to ask: 1. Reserve based on safety and your skill level today!!! 2. Main most appropriate for your skill level today with a some thought of your next progression. 3. Type lines want 4. Type AAD if any 5. Type RSL if any 6. Pud style- PUD,FF, PVC, etc. (note FF handle is a push and pull technique for withdrawl. This is one of those questions I didnt ask, but luckily when I got my new rig my ST&A went through all the components of it he pointed that out before I jumped it...whew!! 7. Reserve handle sliver or fabric. (Lots of opinions on this one in the field.) 8. Size Risers-most are fairly standard, but if you have short or longer arms this might need to be asked 9. narrow chest strap or normal. 10. Type material; cordura, foam pad, etc. 11. Then the color option things for all the above I may have missed something, but I believe I should be close. Whatever you decide, know that you made an informed decision. GOOD LUCK and BLUE SKIES!!! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

GREAT!! I think the course is going to be greatly helpful. Yeah I scheduled myself such that I am taking the basic course friday, work on skills learned Friday on saturday and take the advanced course on Sunday. Hope to meet you and Kim! See ya soon! Again, thanks all for the helpful information!! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!

Good luck!!! Learn lots and have fun!! THRIVING IN MY DASH!!