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bluiev

My turn!

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Hi everyone!

I guess it's my turn to come out and greet everyone.

Four weeks ago, a friend asked me if I would ever want to do a tandem skydive. Since he caught me in one of my spontaneous fits, I asked why not? A couple of days later, I started perusing articles and websites about the jump, and started asking co-workers about skydiving (turns out we had a few who jumped once in their life already). A week later, when the time came to make reservations for the group, I said forget tandem, Im doing AFF!

So three weeks ago, I did my AFF1 at Perris. I had to wake up early for the FJC, but man was it worth it. Ed totally ingrained all EP's in our heads and went through the class in great detail for us beginners. At that point, I stopped worrying about the actual dive, because I felt we got prepared well, and started worrying about how to land. I didnt want to land away from the DZ on my first jump!

When we finally started gearing up, did our last practice exits, and ran over the jump with my instructors, I felt very calm. Even at the climb up, I was more worried about my performance than the actual thought of falling off at terminal speed. I just wanted it to be perfect. By the time we exited, I was already all smiles. It sure was surreal looking at everyone floating around me without feeling what I thought would feel like falling off a rollercoaster. I did have trouble looking for my cord during the practice pulls. I didnt realize how strong the wind would be when I tried reaching back.

And man, did that fall feel fast. Next thing I knew, I was almost past my lock on altitude. :o So, I locked on, waited til 5k, and pulled. Woohoo! And then I blanked out. :D

I looked up at my deployed canopy and said, "Shape, spin, float. Woohoo! Err... but now what?" I looked down and saw my handles, and my programming almost took over! I so badly wanted to pull them (we had to do the EP process while yelling it out over and over during FJC). I thought that was funny. So I looked back up and remembered about the toggles. I released the left. At that instant, a little voice in my head said, "Shouldnt you be pulling those at the same time?" I guess the canopy agreed with the voice, because as I relaxed my left hand.. BAM... brake fire = line twist! I was like... "Oh maaan..." Then training kicked in again and said, ok.. level the wing and try to kick it out while spreading the risers. And there it went.

My landing was far from perfect. I still claim the ground snuck up on me and tricked me into flaring early. Hehe. I tried a PLF which we practiced too, but I managed a mix between a PLF and a sitting roll.. or something... Im just happy it didnt hurt. Hehe. I was hooked.

Last week, I went back for my AFF2, this time alone, and passed. I was so stoked so I signed up for AFF3 on the same day. I tried it and learned that my experience in ballroom dancing doesnt really translate well when doing turns in the air! I was twisting along my spine (ala promenade dance position) rather than pushing the air. So, I only did one good turn. So, I have to retake AFF3, which I feel will only help!

And so, here I am. Planning on maybe doing some coached wind tunnel time on the 9th before doing the rest of my AFF's. My landings are still far from perfect (I did manage to do a standing landing on the 3rd jump!), and I still have problem paying attention which way the wind is blowing (especially if it changes while we're high up -- with me having some problems looking at the small flags on the green), but I do enjoy the whole thing!

Thanks to the wonderful instructors and people at Perris! I cant wait to get back!

~blu

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Welcome to the forums! :)
Quote

and I still have problem paying attention which way the wind is blowing (especially if it changes while we're high up -- with me having some problems looking at the small flags on the green), but I do enjoy the whole thing!



If you're having a problem seeing the flags, pay attention to which direction the majority of the load is landing. I have that problem sometimes too and that trick really helps.
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

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Welcome to the skies. The tunnel will do wonders for you.

I'll be at Perris on the 9th and 10th for the newbie CReW camp. I plan to get a little tunnel time myself. Come on over and look for me. I look kinda like this, B|.

:ph34r:
50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

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Thanks for the warm welcome and the tip!

My instructors told me the same thing about looking for the first few jumpers. So far I've been trying to focus on which direction my landing pattern should go and looking left and right as I practice some canopy moves high up that by the time I try to look for those landing, they've already landed! :D

Ah, but clearly, something I need to work on!

Quote


I'll be at Perris on the 9th and 10th for the newbie CReW camp. I plan to get a little tunnel time myself. Come on over and look for me. I look kinda like this, .



... Im confused, you look like a yellow face with shades on, or a furry monkey?... or a yellow furry monkey with shades on? :ph34r:

~blu

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