Magistr8 0 #1 March 10, 2002 Since almost everyone here has more skydives than me you all probalby know what works well at a DZ and what you would like to see improved upon at you DZ. I really want my DZ to expand so we can get some more people out and maybe in the future some better planes. Let me know what you guys thinkWho ever said comming down from a high was bad obviously never tried this.Magistr8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #2 March 10, 2002 So....what is it about your DZ you don't like or would like changed, other than getting better jump planes?J"Catch your dreams, go skydiving". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 March 10, 2002 What my DZ did last year was post feed back cards at manifest that allowed you to give the DZO's any input you wanted, with out revealing who it came from in case it was something bad. Based on the feedback, I've heard we are getting all new student gear and other major upgrades in the near future. I'd advise you to talk to your DZO before getting a petition or sometihng going. It is their business and they might like it exactly how it is. Bigger planes means more jumpers, more jumpers mean more politics, more politics means more headaches. Some people just don't want that over head...... My DZO calls this something like the "Jerk Factor". The more people to deal with, the more Jerks to deal with....Cause I don't wanna come back down from this cloud... ~ Bush Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #4 March 10, 2002 Yeah! Students are much easier to deal with from the DZO's perspective. They pay their money, take their chances and take off.Keeping licensed jumpers happy in the long run is tougher.Aside from clean facilities, airplanes and load organizers, there is not a lot a DZO can do to keep up jumpers happy. Ultimately, up jumpers have to provide their own fun, organize their own loads, seminars and boogies.Most DZOs are up their ears with students, maintenance, etc. The best thing up jumpers can do is organize a seminar, present a package to the DZO and ask for free jumps for load organizers or reduced rates for all seminar participants.The DZO can provide the BBQ pit and picnic tables, but it is up to up jumpers to provide food and fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magistr8 0 #5 March 11, 2002 @ my local DZ we only have about 15 regulars and they are an older crowd about 27-33 years old and they aren't really big on organizing big boogies. In fact the first time I heard of a boogie was here on DZ.com (insert tear here). I would like to come down to cali and get involved in some big ways and jump from the otters. Something has to be done up here about getting new diversWho ever said comming down from a high was bad obviously never tried this.Magistr8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #6 March 12, 2002 Ya can't go wrong with free beer and chicken ..."Men weren't meant to rideWith clouds between their knees"Five For Fighting Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #7 March 12, 2002 Magistr8,I see your from Winnipeg (condolences.. ).We live in the UK now, but I'm from Montreal and I also lives in Edmonton and Toronto. Serioulsy, growing a DZ in Canada is a challenge, and there are only 2 DZ that I would call "good sized" in the country: Nouvel Air and Pitt Meadows (from what I hear, never been to that one). Alberta had 7 or 8 DZs at one point in the 90's, and there aint no way a province that size can support that many, escpecially with the predetory pricing that was going on there. So you end up with small DZsWhen I lived in Edmonton, I jumped at Blue Skies, and we had about the same number of regulars: about 15 , maybe some 10 part time regulars, and the rest was students. You know what: its a great size if you want to get involved; you know every one, every one knows you; get your Coach 1 and Instructor A rating, and I'm sure you'll be able to get active in the DZ. It is not that easy if your just one of the 100's of jumpers at a big DZ....And I take offence re. the "older jumpers"... 27 to 33!!!! What would you call the really old timers that are the ones that are actually organizing the really big ways and boogies? The one that have been jumping for 25 years? I'm right there in the middle of your the age group you mentioned (31) and I live for big boogies. If and when you go to bigger boogies, you'll notice that its the "old timers" that are usually the most fun to hand around with, espcially at night around the fire...Organizing boogies is hard work, and its a risky business. It can be done (Yellowknife held a Midnite Sun Boogie in 95 (I think) and they had a Skyvan and Jerry Bird (speaking of old timers), so it can be done). But good luck! You can also travel, and meet different people: isnt that the most fun part of the boogies? Go to the Alberta Provincials and the Nationals Boogie this summer for exemple. Go to Lost Prairie.RemsterMuff 914 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magistr8 0 #8 March 13, 2002 I hear what you are syaing about needing the "age" and experience to pull off a good boogie. I gues the thing is that up here the DZ seem so lame to what I hear, read and see on the DZ's down at uncle sams place. On a completly lighter note I have come to the conclusion that it would be impossible for me to get 300-400 SD's in in one year. the DZ in only open for aboot 21 weeks of the year and and 4 jumps a week end there just isn't enough time to get things done.Who ever said comming down from a high was bad obviously never tried this.Magistr8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #9 March 13, 2002 Dont sweat it!The most jumps i've done in a year is 175ish (crappy canadian and british weather)... you do not neet to do 1000 jump a year to start getting involved in your DZ...And that part about the US drop zones being less lame, well, I'm not sure all of 'em are, and also remember to take what the bozos (present company included) on here say with a agrain of salt! lolRemsterMuff 914 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magistr8 0 #10 March 13, 2002 Yeah you yankees should be beaten with the canadian tolerance stick. We poor canadian need your money for our DZ's. Please send all your money to the CAPS so we can jump more often. Hahaha JK. I don't need the 1000 jumps to become involved but I really want them. I am addicted to this drug we call jumping.Who ever said comming down from a high was bad obviously never tried this.Magistr8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #11 March 13, 2002 Remster...as you were talking about not making TONS of jumps to be active at your DZ is true. I dont get the chance yet to jump as much as I would like, but once I get the chance, I would LOVE to be a coach so I can help out around the DZ. That would be a great way to work towards my TM rating and would hopefully help out the DZ a lot. I will certainly be doing that next year.Anyone have a quick link to where I can read the requirements to be a coach? Thanks!! JumpinDuo.com...come and sign the guestbook. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #12 March 13, 2002 MM,I dont even know fuck all about the USPA requirements.. I know fuck nothing...I do know the CSPA has a , imho, very good system with 2 levels of coach and instructor ratings before getting into PFF and tandem (the USPA probably copied part of it with its new "controversial" system). Its a great way to spread the learning and responsabilities to get intermediate jumpers still able to contribute in a safe way.RemsterMuff 914 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magistr8 0 #13 March 13, 2002 When you go to a DZ should you expect to be able to get your certification from them right there or do you have to go somewhere special and show your skills. Can this be done via tape as well?Who ever said comming down from a high was bad obviously never tried this.Magistr8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #14 March 13, 2002 what do u mean by certification?RemsterMuff 914 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magistr8 0 #15 March 13, 2002 Not all to sure really. I'm always hearing about certified riggers you know master riggers and rigger apprentices. Qualified jump maseters and camera flyers things like that. Is that some thing that you get on a per DZ basis or is it something that the USPA would give you?Who ever said comming down from a high was bad obviously never tried this.Magistr8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #16 March 13, 2002 Bare with me, its been a while...All this is CSPARigging: riggerrob can tell you more, I never got interested in rigger ratingsCoaching: Part of the National Coaching System (sorry, for the actual body name.. NCCP?, but ist not just for skydiving). there are 2 level that are relevant, Coach 1 and 2 They have a Theory (general), technical and Practical (skydiving specific) componant. You need to complete all 3 to have the rating, andthen you have a piece of paper to say so. Coach 1 lets you observe novices. Coach 2 gets you to do 1 on 1 RW coaching with them (this is extremely summarized). Coach 3, 4 and 5 are very high level competitive ratings (think Olympic level)... Instructor: theres A and B I A allows you to IAD students. I B gets you to conduct the First Jump Course. (this is all very simplified)Them theres PFF instructors and Tandem ratings.There is no such thing in CSPA as "Jumpmaster". Inst A do the IAD dispach.AFAIK, there are not ratings for Video.Ask your instructors and DZO about what is planned for courses in your area. Send an email to the Coaching commity of CSPA for more info.If you move DZ, they will want to see the ratings, but they will also want to check you out in person to see how you do.RemsterMuff 914 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
