To those that quit skydiving: Are you happy ?

[cocheese 0]

Was just wondering if anyone is glad they quit jumping and sold their stuff.
I'm just trying to persuade a jumper not to sell her new gear. Even though she says it's just temporary.

[Hooknswoop 19]

I miss jumping out of airplanes and teaching every now and then, but I don't miss going to DZ's. I still rig. So, ya, I'm happy and I'm working on the teaching thing. A lot of people quit every year, seems like these days for every new jumper, someone walks away.

Derek

[masterrig 1]

I've been 'retired' from jumping for about 2-yrs. I enjoyed the jumping but, like Hook, I really don't miss the dz. I've been devoting week-ends to spending time with my wife. I still do the rigging thing and enjoy that. I've found other interests.
Yes, I'm very happy.



Chuck

[Katzeye 0]

I quit, or more appropriately, silently slid out of the community. I haven't sold my gear, cuz I never sell my toys.

Am I happy I quit? Yes! My priorities changed... Do I still look at my skydiving pictures on my desk everyday and check the sky for clouds? Yes. Am I pondering a tandem for my 40th - oh hell yes. Am I ready to go through all that it takes to get recurrent again? Nope. Will I ever be? Probably not.

I know a certain fabulous lady who didn't jump for 10 years and is back in the sport. So have no fear, the air is always there.

I would hazard to say a more appropriate question is if you quit skydiving do you ever *really* quit?

Is a chicken omelette redundant?

[jumpchikk 0]

Somedays I think I would be happier if I quit skydiving and what I mean by skydiving is the whole ball of wax, not just skydiving alone.

[RhondaLea 4]

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Was just wondering if anyone is glad they quit jumping and sold their stuff.

I'm just trying to persuade a jumper not to sell her new gear. Even though she says it's just temporary.

I quit jumping mid-2001, and I held onto my gear until mid-2003 because I wasn't entirely certain I was done. I miss jumping, and I miss manifesting (go figure) but there are other things I don't miss at all.

Selling one's gear is probably smart if the anticipated layoff is going to be a long one. If I ever do decide to start jumping again, I get to shop for new gear.

rl

If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

[jmpnkramer 0]

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I'm just trying to persuade a jumper not to sell her new gear. Even though she says it's just temporary.

Anyone who sells their gear is usually out of the sport for good. It is hard to get the money together for gear in the first place. It is rarely temporary.

I have now had three major injuries. One from an automobile wreck, One from Skydiving, and one from military jumping.

At no time did I ever even think about selling my gear.

The Skydiving injury took me out of the sport for 2.5 Yrs. This last one took me out for just under 5-months.

I also do not rush into the sport after being injured. I let my body heal.

I would like to be able to do this until I die.

I would think also that most people who leave the sport do not get on here. I could be wrong.

Hell I am in the sport and I rarely get on this site.

Laters,

K-MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



.

The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!

"HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!"
"Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES

[yardhippie 0]

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I would hazard to say a more appropriate question is if you quit skydiving do you ever *really* quit?

IMHO. yes. if you quit jumping, your not a jumper. BUT, are you still a skydiver? I think so. while the terms we often use synonomously, can describe different people.

I couldnt even consider quitting. The DZ is my home (away from home) and all my family (friends) are there. We get together during the week, and weekends, and drink, eat, and party. Are there some in our group that dont jump currently? Only a couple.

If you think you might want to quit, maybe you should consider it. This is not a sport to be half into.
I encourage both people coming and going, b/c in the end we are all friends.

Ok, you can flame away.

Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD
"What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me
"Anything you want." ~ female skydiver
Mohoso Rodriguez #865

[TequilaGirl 0]

I sold all my gear two years ago and I am back jumping again....it is not smart to take a two year lay-off and come back jumping a 97 Stiletto - I sold my gear - b/c I didn't want the temptation of trying to jump it again.....

[jmpnkramer 0]

You are the exception. Yet I know the reason you quit and it was not the right reason.

Remember we used to chat.
I think you are a very cool chica.

I am happy you are back jumping.

Of course you can fly any canopy as long as you respect what it can do and not try things until you are truly comfortable.

I know you are smart enough to have kept that gear and jumped it responsibly.

Either way I am glad you are back in the sport and hopefully someday we will get to meet.
I need to get out to Texas to see some people. There is a good chance I will do it this year as I amy be leaving in the summer for the sand pit. I hope I can get cleared anyway. I ahve to make my rounds in case I meet my demise.

Laters,

K-MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


.

The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!

"HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!"
"Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES

[Diversgodown 0]

Damn are there any skydivers on this Website?

***Glory Favors the Bold***

[hobbes4star 0]

Nice scuba picture

if fun were easy it wouldn't be worth having, right?

[soulshine 0]

I have not quit, I'm just taking a break. I have decided not to sell my gear, I worked too hard to get it in the first place and I don't know that I would be able to replace it.

Jumping is something that gives me great joy and I'm not willing to give that up. However, it has caused some stress in my life so I decided to take a bit of time away from it to have a better look at things.

My advise would be that if you're going to be away for more than a year then sell the gear. If it's just a time out, for a few months, then hang on to it.

To answer your question, no, I am not happy being out of the sky and away from the dz. For a while it was such a huge part of my life and now I definately feel the void that not jumping has left. I also know the jumping is not the only thing in the world that makes me smile. Afterall, it is just a sport.

Bombing for peace is like fucking for virginity!
~DEVIOUS BEEF~~FGF #69~

[Taylor610 0]

You are the exception.

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Hey Bro, I took a 3 year lay-off (not only sold my equipment, I sold the DZ) and went out to the HMB and made a jump a couple of weeks ago. I sold my gear because I didn't need to be jumping a 107 when I wasn't current.

Yet I know the reason you quit and it was not the right reason.
***
In everyone's individual situation, it is up to them to decide why they stop and if/when they go back. I love ya man, but, don't say you know best what's for someone else. For me, I made the right decision. It was time. For others, well, sometimes there are a lot of underlying things that we don't know about and the best any of us can do is encourage others to make good decisions for themselves, whether they continue on in skydiving or not. So long as they continue in a happy life, support them.

And BTW, my 1st jump in 3 years was a 16 point 4-way, Thanks Chris!!!

[Slappie 9]

I have to agree with Hooknswoops

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I miss jumping out of airplanes and teaching every now and then, but I don't miss going to DZ's.

I'll probably get back into it some day. Right now I have more pressing stuff to deal with then DZ politics. The whos who, who can do what and whos doing who means jack shit to me. So basically I'm happy.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[StearmanR985 0]

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Was just wondering if anyone is glad they quit jumping and sold their stuff.

I'm just trying to persuade a jumper not to sell her new gear. Even though she says it's just temporary.

NO!

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

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Was just wondering if anyone is glad they quit jumping and sold their stuff.

I'm just trying to persuade a jumper not to sell her new gear. Even though she says it's just temporary.

Newsflash: There is more to life than jumping. You do what makes you happy. Those with the myopic view that jumping=life (jumping=the only way to be alive, etc) are people I often wonder about....you have no idea how much life you are missing out on.

Been out for a year now - major injury recovery and career have kept me busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest. Jump again? Sure, when I have time and no other plans...and not before that. Haven't sold my gear.

If someone wants to leave the sport, let them leave. The question is - will you still talk to them once they are no longer at the DZ every weekend? It's amazing how many "friends" you don't hear from just because you haven't made a jump in a while.

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[wmw999 2,593]

I quit for 13 years (after 1100 jumps), and then started again. I was pretty happy the whole time, and my level of happiness wasn't particularly related to skydiving.

It's just skydiving. In my case I kept my gear because I'm a cheapskate, and was able to jump it again (but the canopy was big). But with the small mains, it makes sense to sell and buy again.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[stevebabin 0]

Let her make the decision for herself. She won't be happy if you talk her into staying and she really wants to leave.

OTOH, if she is being a "drama queen" and is just looking for attention, then she's already getting what she wants....

"Science, logic and reason will fly you to the moon. Religion will fly you into buildings."
"Because figuring things out is always better than making shit up."

[Slappie 9]

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It's amazing how many "friends" you don't hear from just because you haven't made a jump in a while.

Big deal, if they aren't talking to you because you don't jump. Who needs fair weather friends. Not me.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[Diversgodown 0]

LMAO

***Glory Favors the Bold***

[ladyskydiver 0]

If it's the jumper that I think you are talking about, I have talked with her extensively on why she's thinking about it. And for her, her reasons are valid and honest. She has put a lot of thought into it and isn't trying to be talked out of it. So, if it is who I suspect it is, she's making the right choice for her at this time. If she chooses to come back to skydiving at a later time, the skies will be there; there will be newer gear to buy and play with. And, her friends will be there for her - regardless of if she's skydiving or not.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[popsjumper 2]

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..Newsflash: There is more to life than jumping. You do what makes you happy. Those with the myopic view that jumping=life (jumping=the only way to be alive, etc) are people I often wonder about....you have no idea how much life you are missing out on....

I still wear glasses and I'm perfectly happy with my jumping=life vision....no need to "wonder" about me for that. But who knows? That vision my change in the future.

I can't resist...
Newsflash: Not everyone thinks as you think they should.



I quit for several years also...but skydiving was always there in the back of my mind...and I regret having quit. Glad to be back in the air now.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[lawrocket 3]

I never had my own gear because I didn't have the money and figured I was doing fine on student gear.

But, I last jumped on May 26, 2003. Since then, I have found other things to occupy my weekends. On thoughtful reflection I realize that I was a pretty unhappy person back then. When I was skydiving, none of those other things that bothered me bothered me. It provided happy moments.

Golf did the same thing. So did gigging a couple nights per week with my band. So did hanging out with the friends after work. It all made me forget about what was bothering me.

Turns out that right now I'm happier than I have ever been in my life. I have a business that I like, a house that I love, a wife I adore, and a son that is my pride and joy.

I could go out and start gigging with a band again. Why? I'd rather be playing with my son. I could go out golfing on the weekend, too. I think I'll start again in a few years when Conor has a birthday present of golf clubs. Skydiving? Hell, maybe I'll make a jump or two in the coming years, but probably not for a while.

Skydiving is special to me - much like music. But, although important to me, it has lost its relevance because of other joys and happiness that far exceed what skydiving or any of those other things did for me.

I'm going to LA on Saturday to watch the Kings v. Avalanche. I'll leave around noon so I can be with my wife and son, and I'll probably return that night because I simply can't stand being away from them.

I've taken a leave of absence from the sport I love. But I did it because there are some things I love way more.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[BillyVance 35]

I usually quit in November and resume in March every year.

There's usually too much stuff to do in November and December to even think about skydiving, and it's usually too cold to jump in January and February.

Do I use 'usually' too much???

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban