Instructor/coach/TM lost fun in skydiving

[kansasskydiver 0]

Just curious about this subject as I've talked with some people who have mentioned that skydiving just isn't as exciting as it used to be after getting their ratings. Please vote, even if you don't want to reply, I completely understand

<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist!

[Hooknswoop 19]

Want to have fun in skydiving? Want to avoid politics? Don't get an Instructional rating of any kind. Don't even get paid to shoot video.

Derek

[pd190 0]

The main reason that I became a coach and TM is because working with students and meeting people are high on my list. There is nothing like sharing the joy of a first time tandem student when they land or the site of someone's "light bulb" coming on after I teach a trick or tip (whether it be packing, body flight or canopy control.)

I can definately see where it could become an endless stream of the same thing, but for right now, it's all fun for me!

[jlmiracle 7]

I love working with students. I got my AFF I because we needed instructors at the DZ to make more skydivers to play with. And trust me, if you want excitment, get a rating. You never know what's gonna happen next.

Judy

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

[mfrese 0]

Sorry, but "exciting" and "fun" are completely different things. I have a coach and 2 tandem ratings, plan to get my AFF later in the year, and my skydiving life has never been more exciting. Not quite sure if it still counts as fun, though...

All in all, I think it's worth it, but then I've never been puked or peed on by a first-time tandem student, so I may reserve my vote for THAT day.

Iceman

Doctor I ain't gonna die,
Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

[PhreeZone 20]

Being told you can't go make a sweet freefly or take up your wingsuit on a sunset load since some tandem just wondered in and wants to go now and no one else can take them can some times kill a lot of the joy in jumping. I've only had it happen to me once this summer and it really made me rethink the rating. Getting your rating means your into the politics too, wether you want to be or not

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[livendive 8]

I imposed a personal rule on myself that I will NOT work a single day at the dropzone if I don't get at least one "fun jump" in. Even if it's just a hop & pop for a hookturn. Between that and the thrill of helping someone extend their boundaries, I've never noticed the "it becomes just another job" I've heard others compain of. That's not to say there aren't times that I can't think of something I'd rather be doing, but overall the experience has been a positive one for me.

Blues,
Dave

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

[bclark 0]

I work as a full time 7 days a week tandem instructor / videographer, and have done so for the last 2 years and still love every skydive I make. I only make 2-4 fun jumps a month. I make approx 80-100 working dives a month. If you love to skydive it doesn't matter what you are doing, you can find something satisfying in every skydive you make.

[AggieDave 6]

I guess it probably has to do that I work for a kickass DZO at a kickass DZ, but damnit, I LOVE working with students and I love getting that opportunity at my DZ.

If anything its really fueled my skydiving and I really look forward to each tandem student or USPA coached student I take. Now I'm planning and beginning to work so I can go get my AFF rating this coming year.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Shark 0]

Quote

Want to have fun in skydiving? Want to avoid politics? Don't get an Instructional rating of any kind. Don't even get paid to shoot video.

Derek

Skydiving and the instructional part is fun and rewarding, but the dz politics and drama suck.

[quack 0]

Lots of fun instructing. Lots of fun training and "fun jumping". I miss the instructing a bit, but then when I go to jump now it's on my own sked.

I started to instruct to learn more myself, and also to give back to the dz - there were many who helped me along when I first started and hopefully I've helped many others. The important thing is to set ground rules with the DZO so that if you don't want to "work" all day, you don't!

But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

[D22369 0]

I got burned out on skydiving in general almost two years ago, too many students, too many video's..... even when you love something, having to be there and do it all the time you will start the inevitable burnout....... the fun just goes away. I wasnt even really enjoying the infrequent fun jumps any more... my hooks were getting more radical, and more dangerous. Hooking was the only fun left... Luckily a spokane jumper brought it to my attention. And even luckier - I listened to him, I quit working for the dz, took some time off with other interests, then began travelling around to different dz's meeting and jumping with new people, and whala!!!! The fun was back bigtime, I couldnt pack fast enough to make the next load. Now I occasionally work for Richland Skysports or Skydive Yakima with students or the occasional video, but will never again let myself get locked into having to be at the dz all the time......

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.