skymama 37 #1 July 7, 2002 Ok, so I did the baby steps to freeflying in the tunnel, but it was SO cool anyway! My instructor was Joao, a sexy guy from Brazil who's here in DeLand for a few weeks. He totally rocks in the tunnel and is a great instructor. Since it's kind of expensive, and I brought my kids along so they could get some tunnel time too, I only got 6 minutes of time for myself. It's one of those things, that once I got the hang of it, I didn't want to stop. I started out flying on my belly, to get used to the air again since it had been awhile since I had been to the tunnel. The next step was to fly on my back. It's not as easy as it sounds, but I soon got a feel for it, and was able to spin myself around (on purpose!) by the end of that 2 minutes. Finally on my next set, I tried the sit. Actually, Joao had me walk into the tunnel, face the wall and work into the position from there. It was really hard, and the tunnel made me work so hard on my body position to be able to stay in the sit, my heart was pounding and I was sweating by the time I finished up that session. I ended up staying real close to the wall. I asked Joao why I couldn't get out into the middle, and he just laughed and told me that it takes a lot of time and what I did in the 6 minutes I had was great. I was pleased that he didn't have to stay inside the tunnel with me like he had to with a couple other guys, he just instructed me from the doorway. There's a good article in last month's Skydiving Magazine that describes the progression you have to do for freeflying in the tunnel. It really isn't as easy as it sounds, or as the tunnel crew makes it look, that's for sure. But, I am certainly trying to figure out how I can come up with some more money to do it again before Joao leaves. As for my kids...my 11 year old son had been there 2 years before. He did a great boxman, and was able to do turns on his own in his 4 minutes. It was my 13 year old daughter's first trip. She was terribly afraid, and had a few tears in her eyes before she went in, but she did it. I was so proud of her for facing her fear, but after her 2 minutes, she didn't want to do it again. I was ok with that, I just want her to try new things. But, I swear she had a smile on her face while she was doing it!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
Stacy 0 #2 July 7, 2002 when were ya @ the tunnel? teammates were there friday night flying. i'm having tunnel withdrawl... 2 weeks, 2 weeks... that thing is like a drug. =c) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #3 July 7, 2002 I was there last night, Stacy. Got a new belly ring too while I was down on I-Drive. I brought my kids into a tattoo parlor. Aren't I the best mom?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
skydiverbrian 0 #4 July 7, 2002 Awww... should have called. I only live 2 miles away. In a world full of people, only some want to fly... isn't that crazy! --Seal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #5 July 8, 2002 Andrea, As you know, the tunnel was a real bad experience for me. But I have decided I want to face that beast. I hope to go there when I am in Florida this fall. Maybe I'll see you there? _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nws01 0 #6 July 8, 2002 Congrats on your tunnel time Andrea! You took your kids too! Did they enjoy it? I bet they will be future skydivers. It is good to know that there is a safe alternative to skydiving that even a 2 year old can do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skymama 37 #7 July 8, 2002 My son loves it, and wants me to take him all the time! His 360's were great, and he even tracked to the door. My daughter didn't really like it, but she had a negative attitude about it when she went in. That's a 13 year old for you!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 HotLoad 0 #8 July 11, 2002 I just returned from a road trip that took me to FL. I got a chance to get some tunnel coaching with Fabian. Did you get a chance to see Fabian and Julianna in the tunnel? Unbelievable! Even saw Joao (sp?) in on a three-way with them. Sitting in the tunnel is freakin hard! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skymama 37 #9 July 11, 2002 I've seen them on video in the tunnel. I was truly amazed, especially after I tried doing a simple sit and saw how hard it was to hold!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 freeflir29 0 #10 July 11, 2002 Nice meeting you Heath. Hope you had fun at Skydive Atlanta. Come back and see us again some time. How was the drive back? Did you make it on time? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
skymama 37 #7 July 8, 2002 My son loves it, and wants me to take him all the time! His 360's were great, and he even tracked to the door. My daughter didn't really like it, but she had a negative attitude about it when she went in. That's a 13 year old for you!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
HotLoad 0 #8 July 11, 2002 I just returned from a road trip that took me to FL. I got a chance to get some tunnel coaching with Fabian. Did you get a chance to see Fabian and Julianna in the tunnel? Unbelievable! Even saw Joao (sp?) in on a three-way with them. Sitting in the tunnel is freakin hard! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #9 July 11, 2002 I've seen them on video in the tunnel. I was truly amazed, especially after I tried doing a simple sit and saw how hard it was to hold!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
freeflir29 0 #10 July 11, 2002 Nice meeting you Heath. Hope you had fun at Skydive Atlanta. Come back and see us again some time. How was the drive back? Did you make it on time? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
