Divinfool

Ditto...well done! Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Very cool...thanks! Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Although it is not the DZ I went to, here's another interesting review of a local DZ.: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/dropzone/review.cgi?ID=272 Quote: "I took my family for an introductory tandem dive. All went very well and everyone enjoyed the experience. The were using the Skyvan and from 14,000 ft it was a great experience. I returned with my son to sign up for our AFF. He is 25 and I have just turned 60. I am in perfect physical shape and the chief pilot for a major corporation with over 1200 hours of flight time.I was disappointed that they would not allow me to take the course, simply because of my age despite the fact that there is no regulatory age limit. I offered to pay to have myself evaluated for physical fitness and awareness, but was flatly turned down. I find it interesting that I could not take the AFF course, but I could get my AFF certificate elsewhere and skydive in Deland the very next day. I interviewed several drop zones and was able to earn my AFF in two days, which included a (6) hour ground school and (7) jumps. I feel very strongly that they should not discriminate for age and that they could possible amend their policy if the individual is willing to submit and pay for a physical and mental evaluation. There are plenty of other drop zones in Florida without such restrictive policy." Fear is the thief of dreams.....

What DZO in his right mind would disqualify a whole class of folks who, by the time they reach 40: a) have possibly reached financial stability and are secure in their careers. b) have shipped the kids off to college (or to their own homes). c) have kicked the old man (or old lady) out and are ready to make the most of what little time they have left. d) are fully engaged in "mid-life crisis" and have a pocket full of crazy money (a truly observant DZO knows the need to get this money before it gets blown on a Porsche or a motorcycle or a new ho or other such silliness. ...or worse yet ...a competing expensive crisis activity like SCUBA diving or sailing.) ? Sounds like unabashed youthism to me. a) check b) check c) she still tolerates me d) check...except for the money part lol e) added..have a serious adrenaline habit Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Thanks for all the great responses and encouragement.... in retrospect, the fact that they told me I was too old only makes me want it more. Time to quit screwing around and get up there. Maybe a stupid question, but should I do another tandem so I can actually get a better feel for what's going on...or get right into the course? (my first was such a rush I couldn't concentrate on anything but the buzz I was feeling lol) Fear is the thief of dreams.....

I'll keep the Dropzone name to myself until I get to know everyone better I'm still in the probationary period on this forum.. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Great stats...thank God I have never limited myself to doing stuff I'm passionate about by statistics! Fear is the thief of dreams.....

...................................................................... Remember that I am 54 years old, tore my right shoulder three years ago and only count full-stroke chin-ups. Ok....that would explain it. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

airtwardo ,,, not Deland. Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Only 10? Fear is the thief of dreams.....

Thanks for the replies....great answers btw. I'm 50 and have tried to stay fit my entire life. I've been a bit of an extremist (ironman finisher, 3 marathons, hiked a large portion of the Appalachian trail, 2600 logged scuba dives and avid spearfisherman etc etc). I have consistently worked out with weights three times a week as well as 3-4 days of cardiovascular exercise since I was a teen. Skydiving was one of the things I always wanted to get involved in and I constantly talked about doing it with my kids...well last month I finally got to do my first tandem with my kids (both in their early twenties)... we had a blast and I don't think we have come down from the high yet lol. Naturally the next step for us is getting trained to skydive "solo"....but I was stunned when one of the representatives said I was "too old"...that was a first for me...I felt like showing them what an ol' guy arse whipping felt like! (maybe they just want me to keep doing tandems until I run out of money!) Luckily I have 6 other dropzones within 75 miles of where I live and have heard great things about all of them. Anyhow... I'm in at another Dropzone and am stoked to finally get trained. Thanks again for the candid comments! Fear is the thief of dreams.....

That was my thought as well....but I had a dropzone tell me that they cut off their training at 40....I thought it was strange. Wouldn't that be an individual issue? Fear is the thief of dreams.....

As a newbie around here....I'd like to post a question. How old is "too old" to begin skydiving? I got into a huge discussion concerning this last week and would like some input (I'm no troll). As always, smart-arse comments will always be tolerated Fear is the thief of dreams.....