korbin 0 #1 October 7, 2008 Hey everybody! I've been lurking around for about a week, I thought it was time to register and have a whirl with this thing. First off, let me tell you a bit about myself! My name is Korbin! I'm from Sioux Falls, South Dakota (closest DZ is 20 minutes). Have completed no dives yet, looking forward to soon, however with winter upcoming I am not so sure about the possibilities this year. (Warmer climates maybe?) Anywho. I have been fascinated with skydiving. To me it looks like an art form, with quite a bit involved to perfect. This is something I would like to get serious with. I don't need to know that I will like it, that's already given. .. The local DZ here is a Cessna DZ, going to drive out and check it out sometime. I look forward to being an S/L student and going through the ropes that way. (AFF isn't offered, the place is USPA though.) I am a developer here for a media firm that does websites, merchandising, and memorabilia for professional athletes. In short, we manage all of their digital media and presence. Did I mention this was in sioux falls? .. Been loving it. (Randy Moss, Shawne Merriman [on IR now :(], Iverson, quite a few others).. I would like to jump S/L my way into an A license sometime soon. Just one problem. My local DZ claims to not allow people under 18 to do jumps there. (All jumps, not just tandem, which I could understand.)! They do not claim it is due to a liability issue, rather a USPA policy. (I politely pointed him to the BSR Section D--- notarized parental consent isn't an issue.) (Yes, I will hear some flak about the "not able to sign away"... this and that. I would like one quick answer as to how it works for the Paintball Industry [which I for quite some time was very active in, until my local PB field closed] then, with mildly comparable fatalities, different risks associated [Blindness, Death {Fairly rare}, Broken bones, torn ACL]..).. So that be that, I contacted the DZ and I am going to hope that something can be talked over. I will jump, no matter what, ASAP. That is my goal. There is not a question as to if, it is just where :D I do admire this community of people, and it is really cool. Something I look forward to being a part of! Just my overly-long introduction -- Hey guys! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #2 October 7, 2008 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
korbin 0 #3 October 7, 2008 Ah; unfortunately that is not the case. 16 (barely)! I just dislike how they claim USPA regs aren't what they are.. but I let them know of the new ones (circa.. 06ish?).. If I have to, I'll go get my A somewhere else. But as far as "consumption of life," yeah, I am fairly prepared Thanks for the support! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllisonH 0 #4 October 7, 2008 Quote Ah; unfortunately that is not the case. 16 (barely)! I just dislike how they claim USPA regs aren't what they are.. but I let them know of the new ones (circa.. 06ish?).. If I have to, I'll go get my A somewhere else. But as far as "consumption of life," yeah, I am fairly prepared Thanks for the support! Think of the USPA BSRs as minimum recommendations. Each dropzone is then free to institute its own more stringent regulations (though they should admit that these are their rules, not USPA's). Most places will not let you jump before 18, even though USPA leaves that option available to them. If you do a search though, you'll find several threads listing places that do allow 16 year olds to jump if you're willing to travel. Be aware though, your local DZ's age regulations are likely for all jumpers, not just students. Before you go off and get licensed elsewhere, talk to them and find out if you'll be able to jump when you get back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
korbin 0 #5 October 7, 2008 Quote(though they should admit that these are their rules, not USPA's). Most places will not let you jump before 18, even though USPA leaves that option available to them. Oh certainly! I just was kind of upset that they made it fairly, "clear" that the USPA set these rules, and that simply isn't true.. I do fully agree that the facility in the end decides the rules: it's their DZ. I was hoping they were just out of touch with the policy. I'd have no problem going to Tennessee, or wherever is closest to get licensed.. There still lies the chance for me to not be able to jump here. The closest DZs are in Des Moines, Minneapolis, and Omaha (that I've checked out.), other than the one 20 minutes away from me that is having this issue. Edit: this is the DZ which is most convenient http://www.dropzone.com/dropzone/Detailed/386.shtml Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
