KollegeKay

Would it be weird if I was taking tons of pictures of these waddling wingsuiters? (ha ha) I am fascinated with wingsuits and I cannot wait until I am skilled enough to fly one myself! I just might be sold on Z-Hills because of the Wingsuiters! ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

KollegeKay did I read it somewhere... so I was not sure if Z-Hills would be the best option for my trip because of it. That has all changed now!

OK, so, new question... if I am unable to borrow a friend's rig, in case something were to come up, what are the rental costs down there? Is there a one-time daily fee, or a fee for each jump & rental? Thanks for all the helpful posts! I guess I over looked the hours of operation, I will be all good if I go to Z-Hills then. (P.S. I hope to eventually fly a wingsuit! So I may venture over to talk to some wingsuiters!) Oh, by the way, I do not have a driver's license. Unfortantely, this means I will not be able to travel from one drop zone to the next, that would be fun to do, but difficult for someone in my position. I have been trying to search for some type of transit system down there, but I have had no luck. Anyone have any advice with that? Or should I just stick to one DZ due to my lack of mobility? I noticed that of the 3 DZs I have been looking into, they are all about 2 hours aways from each other (or more). ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

Does this mean little newbie me won't be able to jump? Are there fun jumps going on between all the wingsuiters? I am trying to plan my Spring Break vacation down in Florida - trying to decide between Skydive City and Skydive Sebastian. I am very newly A-licensed and looking to spend most of my break skydiving. (March 23-April 1). Any thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks! ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

Depends, do you already own an altimeter? Helmet and/or goggles? Jumpsuit? It all adds up! Each drop zone may vary in price when it comes to their program to get licensed. Other things to consider, are you looking to purchase a new rig, or a used one? I purchased a used jumpsuit and helmet for $40 (from Skydive Chicago). My altimeter was $200 (Evolution Inversion Altimeter). My goggles = free, hand me downs from another newly A-licensed skydiver from my drop zone who purchased a Z1 helmet. Are you willing to pack to offset costs? Or just pay your way through? Good luck.

I have been trying to figure out what the UPT Flight Camp is exactly, I sent Sebastian an email through their website and have not heard back. As far as the other event, I was going to spend the first couple days scoping out the place, watching other people land their canopies (and where to land out, just in case), and learn my way around the area. I want to take part in a canopy piloting camp before the end of summer (2012). I communicated with Brian Germain, he said to speak to my DZO up here to set up a camp where he would travel up here and be more than happy to teach! I guess at this point, it looks like Z-Hills would work out better for me, except that their website says they are closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays... does this mean the camp grounds too? Showers? Food? (Just checking). It would cost me more to fly in by Z-Hills than Sebastian, but if I have more learning opportunities, I think it will be worth the extra travel cost. My Spring Break starts March 23 and can go until April 1. I could always see about missing a day of classes and leave the 21st (which has shown to be cheaper for my flight). *shrugs* Some thing I do not have to decide quite yet, I need to see how the classes are for the semester and if I would be able to afford that day off of classes just to leave early. Anyways, I am just trying to prepare myself ahead of time, gain knowledge of the drop zones, the area, and other things going on during my tentative visit time. I really appreciate all the feedback I have been given so far! Thanks! ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

Thank you texascrw! I will do that! I have plenty of time to still plan and prepare for my trip! All the help and advice I am given will be looked into and appreciated. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

Well, is it possible to put me in contact with someone who is in Sisters in Skydiving? Or the person mentioned above that does load organizing at Z-Hills? I would love to do small group jumps, but I am not ready for larger ones. I will spend my first day or two getting familiar with the drop zone first and learning about places to land out, in case something were to arise.

Practicing when to flare before going about AFF! The picnic table exercise: Find a picnic table away from obstructions in front and from behind the seating area. Look to the horizon as you walk forward, do not look down at your feet, step up on the first bench, the table, then the other bench, and down on the ground again keeping your eyes on the horizon the whole time. Repeat this a few times until you can fluidly go through the exercise. (When you no longer hesitate stepping forward and do not look at your feet). Now repeat this exercise, but this time clap your hands as you watch the horizon and step over the picnic table. Focus way in the distance at the tree line, or whatever the furthest thing away you can see on the horizon. Once you feel comfortable with adding the clapping to the exercise, then focus on your breathing as you clap your hands and walk over the picnic table. Pay close attention to your lungs filling up with air, and then slowly exhaling. Again, repeat this exercise until you are comfortable to add another element. The new element this time will be listening to your surroundings! The birds, the traffic, other people in the area, anything you can hear within your current environment, along with clapping your hands, paying attention to your breathing, and watching the horizon as you step over the picnic table. This exercise is to get you to become more aware of your surroundings and to judge the distance of when to begin your flare, (top of the picnic table). This exercise helped me greatly once under canopy. Landing use to make me nervous, I feared it the most. It was not exiting the aircraft, or the sense of falling you first get after letting go of the strut, it was fear of hitting the ground, hard. P.S. I did 3 tandems before finally starting the AFF program. My 2nd tandem, I got to do backloops off the strut of a C-182! I was already hooked to freefall then. Even with the amount of videos I watched before my first AFF ground course, nothing could ever prepare you for your first AFF jump! Nothing! I watched malfunctions and all and went into training with the attitude, "Bring it on! Lets do this!" ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

Now I have more questions! A friend had suggested Skydive Sebastian, so I am between that DZ and Skydive City (because I know a couple riggers who travel there over winter break). I have not really looked in DeLand because I do not know if they also have [free] tent camping available. I would only be looking to do some fun jumps, even if I have to do solos. I am newly A-licensed, so I do not think too many people would be interested in including me on their dives. (I might mess it up ) I am not rushing to participate in a boogie quite yet either, however, if there is one that happens to be going on that would allow me (freshly A-licensed) to join, I definitely would! Now that I got a straight answer about the weather down there, I am possibly interested in getting a 20-jump package (if available) from the DZ I stay at. I am trying to plan this trip on a college-student budget, which would require the free tent camping option, showers available, and food on premises. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

I am a student! My last day of classes before Spring Break is the 22nd... and I do not have a driver's license. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

I read too much before going into the AFF program. Each center goes about the program in their own way. There were some things I had to relearn differently or let go as part of my training. For example, the wave off - I had seen this done in several videos of AFF students starting with their first AFF jump. However, the center I started my training with does not have you wave off until after a few levels so that you are focused on more important things. It was explained to me that we are already taking in a lot of information, it is one less thing to worry about doing. (We did wave offs once we were down to one instructor). One website I highly recommend looking over is USPA Ground School I wish I could it before getting my A-license, actually. It is pretty neat! Definitely be familiar with the SIM, it will only help you gain the required knowledge. As far as the dirt diving, have you worked with a coach+ to know proper technique? Arching, circle of awareness, practice pulls, and parachute landing falls? If someone has already worked with you, GREAT! Keep it up to enforce the muscle memory! I have been itching to go again myself, it has been 30 days and I feel over-due for a skydive! It would really help before my finals week! Good luck to you, I know you can make it through the off season, just watch tons of fun videos like I do! ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

I have never been to Florida before! I was wondering how is the weather for jumping in late March? Thanks. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

JohnRich, I was never arguing the point of writing a newspaper article unprofessionally, just the way I posted within a forum. I think people have skewed the real topic here. I bet not even 10% of the posts follow proper English grammar... but then again, 53.8% of all stats are made up anyways, so we will never know. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

You are wrong, but I cannot expect anything less from a forum troll to insist on the need to respond. I do not fear the judgement from others, as it is not my place to judge them (unless my life depended on it). Everyone has their own story. Evidence you are just posting to post is that you sure do not follow these "rules" of English grammar yourself, but sure have an opinion and have a need to be heard. Maybe you were neglected as a child and starve for attention. I guess you feel you are the exception to the rule, probably more then just in a forum... oh snap, there I go being judgmental! Have a nice day, Squeak. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

I really do not see how my last post differs from the first when I got my message across, the purpose of written communication. I think people are just bored and as soon as they find something, they jump right at the opportunity. Everyone has their own perspective and language is arbitrary. Depending on how you were taught, where you were taught, and other surrounding factors, communication will vary. A simple example is the word "gay." Today it means something totally different then it did 60+ years ago, which was "happy." Just saying. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

Thanks for posting this! I bookmarked this page so I could come back and read more!

This will be the first time I ever wrote into a paper, let alone a feature article. I personally do not feel that confident that my article will be selected, since the whole class will be sending theirs into the editor. I definitely need to improve my writing skills, but it won't be the end of the world if the article is not published this time around. Feature articles generally go through several drafts before it becomes worthy of print. OT: This past Spring semester I switched from a Biology major to a Communication major. I still have the Biology as a minor because I love science stuff, but with all my involvement on campus, I figured Public Relations was geared towards my personality with planning and organizing. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

Not possible & would not matter, a rental place would not accept my application. Maybe I will be driving next fall. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

I can only credit those who provided a name (even a nickname). I have to give the option to remain anonymous, though. If you completed the questionnaire, at the end it asks you to provide a name and license # voluntarily for citing you as a source.

I already plan to come to East Troy, just the weather does not look good for this weekend! I might see you the following weekend? *Fingers crossed* I JUST WANT TO JUMP!!! ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

My real name is hard to trace to nicknames, except for the fact on this site, I provide my license #. (Which I have not added mine yet because I am waiting for my card yet). ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

I can take the whole time between March 23 until April 2! Or any shorter variation within that time frame. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

Greetings! I am thinking ahead for my Spring Break, since this winter break vacation idea has fallen through, to travel down to Florida! The plan is for my Spring Break to be filled with SKYDIVING!!! What better place then a state with beautiful weather at the time! I have yet to travel with a rig, does it required to be checked it? Can it be a carry on? What is the best way to travel through airport with your skydiving equipment? (Any suggestions) Also, for those of you who are a) from the Florida area, or b) been in the Florida area: Pros & Cons of choosing between Z-Hills and Skydive Sebatian during the end of March! [Discuss] Things to consider: ---I am newly a-licensed ---I would like to camp out at the drop zone (tent) ---Food options on location ---I do not have a driver's license, therefore I cannot rent a vehicle Thanks! ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver

Seriously, I am not in English class and did not request a lesson in grammar. Can we stay on topic please. That is all. ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ---Kollege Kay--,--'-@ Newbie Skydiver