Opinions On This Subject

[Ripple 0]

If anyone were to take advice without considering from where they'd received it, more fool them.

I, personally, credit Ralf with knowing his body well enough to make good choices and with the intelligence to confer with his physio on anything potentially harmful.

I think most people have enough sense to do the same.

Next Mood Swing: 6 minutes

[RALFFERS 0]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments & support. it means more than any of you can imagine!
So here's the scoop on how it all went... As Lisa said, I had a great time, however, I was also very frustrated, and in some rewspects still am. As expected, there are problems - or should I say problem (as in 1.) Basically, I have problems getting & maintaining an arch, in asmuchas I can get intro something of an arch, however I lose it as soon as I try to turn. As essentially important as that is to be able to skydive, I keep on telling myself: "as long as I can do that, I can jump." Furthermore, I talked with my coach and he believes all this is possible, despite how bad the evidence looks, it;s just going to take LOTmore time than I originally thought (I knew this was hoing to take a lot of time, but I didn't realize it would take this long.) I'm Ok with it, or at least content as I could be. In the meantime I guess I guess I'll be doing more tandems than I would like to, but hey, I gotta get my fix somehow. Also, I will fly in the tunnel as long as it takes, I don't care if it takes 1,2, or 5 years. As of right now, we've identified the problem and know what to do to fix it; all I have to do is work the muscles more that are responsible for arching and a HUGE hurtle is overcome - I guess I'll just be a tunnel rat. Nothing I achieved in my life has ever come easy, this is no exception. And I'm OK with that, as there is some benefit to tha; the sky will be like my second home, and I anticipate not having any fear as a result. So, for now the plan is to come back in 6 months to fly a full hour and see how that goes. Ideally however, I'd like to mover down here; I've wanted to move to Florida for a long time - now I just have a real good reason to do it. Anybody looking for a roommate? - I'm serious.

Some may call me a dreamer, and to that I say that I rather be a dream rather than a quitter... Skydiving has changed my life for the better; I rather die than quit! I love our community & our sport (in that order.) I now have a goal & something to smile about, and am not willing to go back to the hell my life was before this.

Although, I'm really shy and embarrased, I guess I'll post the videos.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, & great weekend. Again, thank you so much!
Ralf

P.S. I apologize for any dpelling and/or grammatical errors, but I'm using someone elses computer that has a Polish version of windows on it.

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

Thanks so much for the update! Great to hear that you had fun.

Keep up the good work!

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[bozo 0]

Quote

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Some may call me a dreamer, and to that I say that I rather be a dream rather than a quitter... Skydiving has changed my life for the better; I rather die than quit! on it.

"Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to see them come true."

bozo
Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars.

[Ripple 0]

That is extremely cool.

You've kinda summed up what, for me, skydivers are all about. Incredible determination, real humility and awesome passion.

Next Mood Swing: 6 minutes

[GeorgiaDon 380]

Just a suggestion here. If working the muscles needed to hold an arch is part of your training regimen, you could try doing some of that in a swimming pool. The water will support most of your weight, it feels closer to being in the air than anything else I've found except, of course, the tunnel. It will help to have someone help support you to keep your head up so you can breath, or maybe you could use a snorkel. When you practice the movements for turns your helper can actually turn you in the water, which will help you to visualize the action/response. It's vastly less expensive than the tunnel. When you feel you can hold the arch and make the movements for turns you can use the tunnel to verify your progress before taking to the sky.
Best of luck!

Don

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Tolerance is the cost we must pay for our adventure in liberty. (Dworkin, 1996)
“Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.” (Yeats)

[Muenkel 0]

That's the spirit Ralf!

Is the challenge you're having with the arch have to do with the CP? Is it a matter of building up certain muscles for you? Just wondering. My experience with the tunnel is that it can be challenging for a newbie in and of itself. It was my 3rd session in the tunnel when things began to click for me and I gained so much more control.

Best of luck buddy.

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Chris

[tuffyjensen 0]

I have a potential AFF student with mild CP and trying to do all the research I can before allowing him to give it a try. Did the video from this tunnel session ever get posted anywhere, I would really like to see it for a reference. He has done 2 tandems, 1 with me and it wasn't bad, but AFF is a whole different ballgame.

Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order!
Tuffy