msaddie7

HA! Is there something wrong with us that we find the prospect of a broken canopy humorous? As if its the equivalent of a blown out tire? I think WE are ALL nuts. But hey...at least we are like minded.

Thank you guys! I will definitely get that book. Also, I will make some real effort to get to know the equipment I'm using. I think you are right - once I understand it more I will start to feel more comfortable with it. Its probably just going to take some time. Thankfully, I have great instructors who really do take the time with me. I'm going to be at the DZ all weekend (husband is away; wife will play...) and my focus is going to really be to study and learn from everybody there. Any other tips are GREATLY appreciated. I want to feel confident in my canopy's ability while also understanding its limitations.

I'm brand new to this and certainly never thought I'd be spending my weekends skydiving! My story, in short - - NEVER wanted to skydive at all (26 years, perfectly content without it). - A year ago (after watching my hubby try it) I decided I would also like to try it. - Around christmas time I won a free tandem skydive through a raffle. - First tandem Jan 15th 2011 - Second & third tandems (L2 & L3) Jan 29 - Forth tandem (I passed L3 but wanted to do one more anyways) Feb 5 - Ground School Feb 10 - First solo jump this past Sunday Feb 13 So in 5 weeks I've only missed 1 weekend of skydiving. I still can't believe I'm doing this! I want to get licensed by my birthday (June). So, as a total newbie I would love some canopy control tips. Free fall is fun and easy. The canopy stuff is a whole different thing. I find that I get very nervous and I'm afraid to try too much with it. Sunday I don't think I flared all the way to full breaks even once (not even on landing - hence the bruise on my tailbone). Its like I'm afraid that I'm gonna do something incorrectly and the whole thing is gonna collapse on top of me. How do I get more comfortable with maneuvering the canopy? Thanks, Michelle