FallsLikeABrick

For those of you who actually gave worthwhile responses, thank you. First, the 210 wasn't loaded to a 1:1. I rounded. I weigh 190 out the door, (which is why I am now on a Sabre2 190). I'm an engineer, I assure you I can divide. And I also have more than 26 jumps or whatever my profile says. I haven't been on here in awhile, and I don't change it every time I am. I'm not forcing the issue, I just honestly have no problem with the 190 and think a Storm 170 would be a perfect transition off the student-level wing loading. I'm not rushing to do anything, just don't want to buy a cadillac when I am more than comfortable switching to one size below. drudchen, here is something relevant that you should probably take a look at: http://www.hookedonphonics.com/ Once you've been there, re-read my posting. I clearly stated that I had no intentions of starting to swoop anytime soon, but I was merely asking for advice on when YOU started swooping and how you learned. chuckakers, you were spot on with your last post. Anyone around the dz that I talk to knows I am extremely conservative. I fly my canopy the same as well. Some would even say too conservative, but I don't think that is really possible in skydiving. I also am aware that you are always learning, whether you have 10 jumps or 10,000 jumps. So advice from other jumpers should never be taken as fact, but merely opinion. Just because I have low jump numbers doesn't mean I can't do research on where I want to get to in the future. I like to learn, and since when has asking advice from a community of experienced individuals been a bad thing? I also would love to fly a wingsuit, but that doesn't mean I'm going to order one off chutingstar tonight. I appreciate the responses, and I value all of your opinions because of the experience you all have. But just because you're experienced doesn't give you the right to be arrogant. So if you feel the need to show your 'superior knowledge' by being a dick, it's really not necessary. I just wanted to let you know, the back of yo' head is radikulus

I'm at just around 50 jumps now, and am not looking to get into swooping anytime soon. However, I would like to get there some day. My question is, what jump number did you start swooping, and how did you learn? I am in the process of building my first rig, and am trying to make it as versatile as possible (in other words, last as long as possible as skills increase). I should have a Storm 170 in there, which puts me on just above a 1:1 wing loading. Just looking for some advice for the future! Thanks guys I just wanted to let you know, the back of yo' head is radikulus

I wasn't going to say it but it's telling that you did. . I just like to keep the peace...I hate when there is pointless drama. If they want to start scuba diving, or surfing, or sewing, I would have no problem with it. I actually could care less, which is why I don't necessarily understand why there is so much hostility. I agree with your suggestion of sitting down with them and talking about it, just find it kind of ridiculous that it's even a big deal I just wanted to let you know, the back of yo' head is radikulus

Thanks for your help guys. I know they feel like I don't spend enough time hanging out with them (sometimes I feel like they think we're married), but I only make it to the DZ on Saturdays as it is. So if they can't deal with me being gone one day a week, then they have some serious issues that can't be fixed, and thus I must go with the eating suggestion. I just wanted to let you know, the back of yo' head is radikulus

Well, at first we did talk about it. Which, it's hard not to, especially when you're first starting. But when we started to see they were irritated by it, we stopped. We haven't mentioned anything around them for nearly a month, and it's still just constant badgering I just wanted to let you know, the back of yo' head is radikulus

Kind of a silly question if you ask me, but I honestly have had tons of trouble with this. Here's the story: I have been interested in skydiving since I can remember. When my best friend turned 18 in 2008, we both did a tandem for the first time. Obviously I was completely in love with the sport, but at that point, money and time was the issue. Last year, I moved from Illinois to Florida to go to school. I met some pretty cool people down here in Daytona Beach. I became pretty close friends with about 5 of them. However, in July, two of my friends and I (Jamie and Steven) decided to go through AFF and start jumping on the weekends. We absolutely love it. Two of our other friends, though, hate that we go (Complete whuffos by the way, just so you understand the type of personality I'm talking about. One even asked, "So, how much altitude do you gain when you deploy your canopy?"). We offered to split a tandem for them so they could see what it was like, but they just said that they weren't interested in it. So whenever Jamie, Steven and I hang out with our other two friends, we CANNOT mention anything about skydiving. If we do, you can immediately feel the tension. It's honestly ridiculous. To make the situation even worse, one of the whuffos is my roommate. So every Saturday night when I get home from the DZ, I am almost completely ignored, and sometimes this extends into Sunday. They constantly make rude remarks, claiming that it's the "same thing over and over again" and "don't understand why we waste all the money to do it". They also often have these inside jokes that they say to each other around us, that is obviously making fun of us. I am an extremely respectful person, and I pride myself on not losing my temper when people irritate me. However, it's getting to the point where it's really starting to piss me off. I understand that skydiving isn't for everyone, and my skydiving friends and I try not to talk about it around them. But, what the hell? I never imagined that people could be so resentful towards others who just are doing something they enjoy. My question is, any advice on how to handle this? I tried ignoring it, joking with them about things, but nothing seems to help. I just wanted to let you know, the back of yo' head is radikulus

I tried to get my hands on all of the video I could during AFF, because almost immediately I could see what I was doing wrong (or more rarely, what I was doing right lol). Skydive DeLand only charged me $10 though, so it was a no-brainer. I personally think video is an extremely useful learning tool even after AFF. I have a friend at the dropzone who records our jumps we do together, and it helps with improving my basic flying skills as well (tracking, docking, etc). Also invaluable for your landing techniques, as I have a tendency to flare a little too early. If you want to see some more examples, I have a few of my AFF levels on my YouTube channel. http://www.youtube.com/user/fallslikeabrick?feature=mhee I just wanted to let you know, the back of yo' head is radikulus

Hey everybody, my name is Zach. Just started my AFF training a few days ago, and also spent some time in the wind tunnel in Orlando, FL. I've also done a tandem and static line, but only one AFF so far. I jump at Skydive Deland, and really just love the sport. A little about me; I am actually from Peoria Illinois, but moved down to the Daytona Beach area to go to Embry Riddle (Aerospace Engineering). The skydiving club at Riddle is pretty generous on their fees, so it really helps make it more affordable (its the least they could do after their tuition..hah). I look forward to learning as much as I can and meeting more people interested in this awesome sport! I just wanted to let you know, the back of yo' head is radikulus