10 years in sport

[happythoughts 0]

Last month I hit 10 years in sport. I've been talking to friends for the last month. I was trying to figure out if there is any kind of insight that dawns on you. It doesn't, I just try to be more careful.

Every time
I was discussing this with a friend. He said that you have to get it right
Every time. If you have 1000 good jumps and the next one sucks…
Never grow complacent. Stay scared enough to be safe. This sport can kill you even if you are doing everything right, so make the Reaper work to get ya.

Be aware. Other jumpers under canopy, rotors off of fixed objects, a root in the landing area… Be prepared for the wind to just drop you four feet for no reason.

Emulating others
An example could be swooping, CRW, freeflying, or RW. I watched the guys doing some swooping late Sunday. This stuff looks like huge fun. Before you try to emulate these guys, remember that they are doing 8 jumps a day and this may be all that they are doing. They are current and focused.

If you are a weekend jumper:
- Get some training and seek advice.
- Practice a lot.
- Don’t hit the edge of the envelope hard. Take some time to gradually be that good, they did. You are just seeing the end product of a lot of work.

You’ve got plenty of time. Using my example, maybe your first pass at the pond should be 40 ft too high. You can always get lower after that works good for 20 jumps in a lot of wind conditions.

Motivations
There are as many reasons to jump as there jumpers. Cool factor, adrenaline junkies, competitive nature, the feeling of flying… It doesn’t matter if you have the same reason as another person.

Think about it. Understand yourself. If jumping was fun for some reason, and it isn’t anymore, sit down and think about it. Life in general, kids, or a relationship may become more important. If so, that is ok. Always be true to yourself. You can always say, "been there, done that" and that is ok too.

Am I a skydiver?
Skydiving does not define me, but it has changed me. I am a person who skydives. Because I have skydived, my frame of reference has changed. I look at the world differently because I faced a limit and overcame it. I believe that life has only the limits that I place on myself with my personal laziness and weird values.

Mentally, skydiving is a door to a changed perspective. There are many, skydiving is one.

The future
I enjoy a lot of aspects of the sport. I will continue as long as I can. I hope to make many more friends and fly with them and smile.

[livendive 8]

Quote

I enjoy a lot of aspects of the sport. I will continue as long as I can. I hope to make many more friends and fly with them and smile.

My thoughts exactly.

Congrats on your first decade, I've got about 9 months till I hit that milestone.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[marcandalysse 0]

Great Post from a Great Guy! Thanks Bill, for our friendly far-ranging conversations at the dz, and Best wishes for the next decade in the air!

marc

[PhreeZone 20]

Congrats on no longer being a tourist

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[brothermuff65 0]

yahoo muff muff way to go bill . i will be comeing up on 23 years this nov 1st and i really have to agree with what you say we have all seen it too many times through the years were low exp. people try to copy what some of these folks have worked on for 100s and in some cases 1000s of jumps to make it look that easy AND sometimes they also get bit . so i guess the best thing to say is slow down and learn before you leap (so to speak) youy have plenty of time . this is such a great sport and the huge family we are a part of just makes it get better all the time .dontcha just love it ? i know i do . see you at the d.z. after bridge day muff muff

till later have fun & love each other seeya mb65johnny gates