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Hi Frogerina, My tip, find an instructor/coach who also has a small frame and have them go over ways to fall faster. People who've never really had to work to go fast aren't going to be nearly as helpful. There's much more to it than just arching! Don't be frustrated! No one was a pro at your jump number level; your coaches don't expect you to be either. Remember to SMILE and LAUGH! Try sticking your tongue out at your coach and making funny faces at them. While it's important to remember the goals of a skydive (especially altitude awareness at all times), relaxing and having fun is a huge key as well!

I got mine in 2010, not sure if that would be considered old or new. I love mine! I have never had problems with it fogging up. I think the key is breathing technique... in through the nose, out through the mouth. If you hyperventilate while under canopy it might not be the one for you.

Ah! I've been wondering this too! I just started jumping it this season and am confused by the way the battery works. (Granted, I haven't taken the time to read the manual yet... I keep forgetting when I'm at home.) If I leave it on when I leave the DZ (with a full battery), it will show low battery when I come back the next weekend. However, I've noticed if I then turn it off and back on, it says full battery life. No idea what's going on but hey, it works!

Yes, many colleges have clubs and I probably wouldn't be a skydiver if it wasn't for mine. Like others have said, the "but they do it so it must be ok" argument probably won't fly. I would make it a minor bullet point in your overall case. Definitely present facts, statistics, UPSA info, etc. I would also ask for a list of every club that is supported by your college. If they have things like Rock Climbing, White Water Rafting, Car Racing, Motorcyles, etc., I would imagine that would help your case. Good luck and don't give up!

Hi there! I have a belt with the weights in 2lb increments. I like it a lot and recommend the 2 lbs units. I don't really see a need to have them in 1 lb increments. 1 lb (hell, even 2 lbs) doesn't make that big of a difference. Normally if I'm going to go to the trouble of adding/removing weight units, I do at least 4 lbs at a time. (Obviously don't wear too much weight or make drastic changes until you're used to flying with a weight belt.) When you're on a 10 min. call and need to add 6 lbs, do you want to sit there fiddling with 6 thingamajigs or 3? And when you have some of the weight out do you want to have to keep up with a bunch of little weight units or half that many? Also, I did get a good quality belt, but did not pay someone else to make the weight units. I got a bunch of BB's, weighed out 2 lbs, and put them in doubled-up Ziplock bags. Cost about $20.

Hi mx_maniac, Could do me a favor and post your home DZ and a picture of yourself? Oh and if you could give me a heads-up before you head out to the DZ, that would also be great. Want to make sure I'm as far from there as possible at that time... Thanks and good luck on the bowling!

He tried to pull it on me as well. Skydiving is a small community and if you won't tell me your home DZ or rigger, then I'm on high alert.

I also have a 1:1 wing loading on a Sabre1 150 and I love this canopy. I have about 100 jumps on it and have not had a single bad opening yet. It definitely has quick openings, but that's how I like it. The canopy itself has about 225 jumps on it (closet find), with what I believe is the original lineset. It has a pocketslider, which I suspect is the main factor to it being a "nice" Sabre1. I do not roll the nose, just tuck it nicely and make sure the tips of the pocket are pulled out a little and not rolled/tucked in. I hope the pocket slider and re-line tames your wild Sabre!

Hi Allen, I've done quite a few jumps at both places. Both are great dropzones, but I like the vibe (current people, planes, etc) at Midwest better so I'm there most weekends. I do recommend hanging around each place and seeing which one feels more comfy to you. Soon that place will be your second home! Definitely do some jumps at both places once you have your license though. Blue skies!

When I moved to the Milwaukee area, I shopped around a bit for a new home DZ. I started out at Skydive Milwaukee (Skyknights), which is a nice DZ, but never felt like home. I went out to Midwest last summer to try it out and now am there every weekend! Last season they had an amazingly fast King Air; this season they have a nice Twin Otter. The packing area has mats and stays reasonably cool in summertime heat. Lockers and a kitchen area are available to experienced jumpers. Whether you're there to fun jump, get your A license, or do your very first tandem, you will be in good hands and have the time of your life. The staff at MW are knowledgeable and friendly. The owner is committed to providing the best of everything, including regular load organizers, nice planes, and lots of social events. The vibe is young, fun, and welcoming to all. No matter if you're coming out for your first jump or your 5,000th, Skydive Midwest will rock your socks off!