New to the Sky

[360daysofsun 0]

Great site, and forum.

After many years of putting it off, I've taken the leap. Finished up my AFF, and I'm now jumping at Eloy. Great place, but busy. Awesome planes, with room to sit.

I've been racing motorcycles for years, and I'm also a private pilot. Both have helped to this point. I look forward to sticking with the sport. There's nothing like riding on a track, and reaching 165mph, but skydiving is sure easier on the wallet...
Just thought I would say hi, and look forward to diving into this forum for some needed information, and advice. I'm sure I've met at least a few people in AZ on this board who ride/race bikes in AZ. If so, let me know.

Todd .... "Life, figure it out."

[AggieDave 6]

I've done 100mph on my Kawasaki Vulcan, does that count?


You're probably one of the few people that considers skydiving a cheaper adreniline rush...keep that perspective, its refreshing (but not true for me).

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[skymama 37]

Welcome to the forums!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[vyle 0]

Hello!
I am planning on doing my AFF at Eloy around march, could you develop a bit more on how it went for you?

David

[Amazon 7]

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There's nothing like riding on a track, and reaching 165mph

Welcome to the forums Slow Poke.....






If you REALLLLLY wanna go fasst.... once you get in a couple hundred jumps or so.. try some speed skydiving.. 300MPH with no motor..... RAWKS

[360daysofsun 0]

Thanks for welcoming me.

Actually, I'm a 38 year old kid, who enjoys new adventures. You got me, I am an adrenaline junky, but I'm also old enough to respect my ability to walk...
Can't speak for Eloy, and their AFF program. I took my AFF training at Coolidge, and thought the instruction was excellent. My first few jumps went smooth, but level 4 really got me thinking. I was having some body position issues. Well, while it was raining back in late January, I loaded up the car and headed to Vegas for some wind tunnel time. 33 minutes later I headed back with some idea of what I needed to do. The next jump I combined the 4 & 5 skills, and it went smooth to the finish. Like I've read throughout this board, relaxing is a huge part of this mentally intense (at first anyway) sport. After you settle in, and "catch-up" mentally to whats going on around you, you start to get the in the groove.

I shied away from Eloy for a few reasons, which I know now was unfounded. The first was the size of the place. People going everywhere. I typically like a slower pace setting. There was also cost. Coolidge was more affordable. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing, but now I really enjoy Eloy. Granted, Eloy does things a little different, and is more money, but at this stage it's well worth it. I like the fact that they want you to have coached jumps all the way up to your A Lic. I need feedback, and find this super helpful. Well worth the extra cash. I would rather pay more, and learn the correct way, than save money and get into bad habits. Coaching is always worth the extra expense. Besides, it gives you someone to have fun with while you're learning. Someone who is interested in your progression, not just your jump order...

I do have a question... Being new, it's often hard to find people to play with which are at your level. Of course this is true with any sport. Are there any DZ's who focus on the new crowd, and make efforts to bring this group together? If there is, could someone steer me in the right direction? I've asked around, and it doesn't appear that Eloy has such a set-up. Again, if I missed something @ Eloy, more info would be great.

Personally speaking, I would find it super helpful to attend a meeting at the DZ where all those finishing their training that month, or are working on their A Lic. could introduce themselves, and exchange numbers.

Todd .... "Life, figure it out."

[360daysofsun 0]

I haven't yet, but I'm still learning names. I'll ask around the next time I'm down there. Most likely Monday.

David, when you do you start your training, let me know. By then I might know a little about what I'm doing, and show you around the place.

Todd .... "Life, figure it out."

[AggieDave 6]

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I'm taking my time, and enjoying the ride. I've seen way to many new riders/racers hit the ground, and not walk away. Most of the time they're pushing way to hard trying to be "one of those guys", and overlook that fact that "those guys" have years of practice/training/time behind them. I think this is a universal issue, which crosses over to many sports/activities. When these attitudes cross over into sports that can kill you, as well as them, is where it gets scary.

Good outlook. That attitude and understanding will help you learn and will help you keep your body in one piece.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Amazon 7]

Post here on the boards.. in the Bonfire.. and get to know people.

ONce you have your A... you can jump with anyone... before tht it will be solos or with someone with a coach rating.

Since most people work.. I would say the weekends would be the best availability for other new jumpers..
get a few friends who have similar experience and then get with an old fart who will jump with you and work on skills.

I saw a bunch of guys there at Eloy who have been around forever... and if its slow I bet they would love to do a 2 or 3 way with a newbie. You have to be proactive.. being quiet and waiting for someone to jump with you dooms many people ... get out there and meet people.. Also.. you can meet plenty of people here.. and with a little traveling.. you can go to thier DZ.. the Mesquite Boogie is once a month.. not all that far and LOTS of newer jumper s there.

Heck if you are off Student status by the end of MArch I will be down there.. I will jump with ya and I got video too.

Last weekend I initiated a girl into the Pink Mafia Docked.. got the barbie passed.. then took off and chased a new guy who only has about 27 jumps or so and was lurking our dive. I flew down.. docked.. and got good video.. ... to me.. that is fun.. cause getting that HUGE smile on someones face in freefall when they are new to the sport and dont get all that much time in the air with other people.. and getting it on video.. just rocks.

[skymama 37]

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I am planning on doing my AFF at Eloy around march, could you develop a bit more on how it went for you?

I didn't do my training in Eloy, but I'm sure the instructors are top notch out there. Just listen to your instructor, ask questions if you don't understand something and RELAX! I'm sure you'll do fine.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[skymama 37]

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Are there any DZ's who focus on the new crowd, and make efforts to bring this group together? If there is, could someone steer me in the right direction? I've asked around, and it doesn't appear that Eloy has such a set-up.

I think it's easier to mix in at smaller dz's when you are a newie. There, people recognize a new face easier and are able to bring you on jumps. At larger dz's, there are so many visitors on a daily basis, it's hard to figure out who is just passing through and doing their own thing (like team training, canopy training, there to see a friend, etc.) and who is a new local until they see you hanging around more than once. You also have to take the initiative to strike up conversations with people and hang out after hours so people can get to know you.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[360daysofsun 0]

All awesome suggestions, and I plan on doing all of them.

I know from the industry I'm in, the hard is attracting & retaining people to the sport. It's made a lot easier if they are introduced to an informal pier group. People at the same level, working on the same skills. Without beating this to death, I think if Eloy (or any larger DZ) had a "New Diver" day, once a month, it would be a huge hit. They would see a higher percentage of Tandem jumpers enter the other programs. More divers, more money, more work for the instructors, stronger DZ. Just a thought.

If anyone feels in the mood to click a link, here is the address to my companies website. This is the link to my race teams page, which is outside the main store. Click on the photos, and it takes you to the Bio page.

Todd

http://helmetharbor.com/racing/race_team/update.htm

Todd .... "Life, figure it out."

[bobsled92 0]

Nice site you have.
The fastest I ever hit was 164(1 mile straight in PA) on my 934cc
Stock class/Summit Point raceway's straight limit's things. Started riding at 4. JUst quit for jump money.
You would enjoy Speed Skydiving.
My top speed so far is: 249mph.
Mark Calland got: 316mph
check out the site below.

_______________________________
If I could be a Super Hero,
I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year.
http://www.hangout.no/speednews/

[360daysofsun 0]

This sound insane.. I would never think that anyone could go that fast head down. The stress from pulling out must be amazing. I'll read up on this for sure. This sounds like the perfect, "heavy guy" discipline. This has always been a challenge for me on the bike. Nothing worse than being passed on the straight by a "motorcycle jockey". The little guys (or super thin) have a huge advantage on a bike. It would be great to make them strap on weights, just to keep up... Thanks for the link.

Todd .... "Life, figure it out."

[bbarnhouse 0]

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I've asked around, and it doesn't appear that Eloy has such a set-up. Again, if I missed something @ Eloy, more info would be great.

Yup you missed something! There is a mentor program designed for newer jumpers!Stop in the manifest office and I'll give you the details!You will learn a lot and have a great time doing it too.