Okay...'zooming' problem!

[Pammi 0]

While at Houston I learned something about myself...I'm apparently a kamakazi skydiver :) Seriously, if I'm somewhat close to a formation, I can get to it fine. However, if I'm far away from it, but level vertically, I tend to get going way too fast by the time I get to it. I end up going over the formation so as not to take it out.
I have always ended up in the base on jumps because of my fall rate and that I haven't got a lot of experience flying into the formation. However, it's a Catch22, I don't have practice, therefore I still suck. I got into some this weekend, but I also almost took out Scottie and Merrick once, before coming back around to get in.
I don't know how to slow down! On the DZ.com dive, I was right there (I've been watching the video), but I did the same thing...zoomed forward then couldn't get the breaks. First time, I go over the formation, thereby losing my air and falling way low. I get back up..try going to it again, and try to stop the way I was told to, arms out, legs in, and flip over on my back!
Any theories? Maybe legs went in too fast? Scottie offered to help out with it, but who knows when I will get back down there again...prob'ly not til spring.
Thanks!
Family Photos

[Zennie 0]

I had a similar problem when I went to a suit with booties.
I've been working on this in a sit context, but the theory also applies in the RW context. When starting out, rather than doing a steady acceleration to the formation, try kind of a "stairstep" approach. Go forward, slow down, adjust, go forward, slow down, adjust. That will teach you touch.
Your legs are your "gas" and your arms are your "brakes". So to go forward, legs out, arms in. To slow down, just the opposite... arms pushing out, legs in. Again as you learn you'll start making small adjustments without thinking about it.
A drill that might be helpful is to have someone (i.e. Merrick) go out right before you and then wait for you to come in & dock. When you dock, he can do a couple of backflips & you can try again (or you can backflip & he can try docking on you).
Another helpful drill is to dock facing off. Then, with Merrick always facing forward (just falling) fly around to one side & do a side dock. Then fly around behind him & dock on his legs. Then fly around and dock on his other side. Then finish by flying around and facing off with him again.
These will help teach fall rate and using fine inputs.
"Wear the grudge like a crown. Desperate to control. Unable to forgive. And we're sinking deeper."

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Pammi,
are you jumping booties? If so, the "stop" part of the swoop is different than if you are not using them; at least for me it certainly is. If using booties and you are swooping a formation, then to stop, your feet go together in a kind of toes-out squat for the best results. If you are currently sitting in a chair, then point your toes out and touch your heels together. Next, point your knees outward. Arms go out to your sides like you are grabbing a refridgerator. What this will do is sit you up and present a much larger braking surface than just sticking your feet on your ass and sticking your arms out. If you put your jumpsuit on and sit in a chair, then do just what I said, you will see how much flat surface you are presenting on the lower half of your body. Stick those legs out and you will continue to just fly over the formation. Getting back up efficiently requires a very similar move. The old "hug a ball" trick, when done with booties, will send you rocketing as much forward as up. The very-elongated superman works better with booties in that instance.
C. Blue, esquire
My webpage HERE

[mwthomsen 0]

Here is something for you to try and you should be able to do it by yourself and notice a change in your forward speed. After you are stable go into what ever posture you use to get your forward speed. Then when you extend your arms drop both your knees down and forward. This will present your thighs to the wind and stop your forward drive.
Good luck
Give it a try and see if it works for you.

[cptnstratn 0]

Pammi,
In my experience, it's really hard to see just how fast your closing on the formation if you're flying level with it. One of the things that helped me: slow down the fall rate to get above the formation again, then move to your spot, then drop down into the right slot. This way you can see better how fast your closing on your slot. Try to get a three-way or four-way jump together with the intention of exiting about four seconds after the base. Practice, practice, practice. Now get theeself to the dropzone!
Blue Skies,
Steve
Steve

[Jabeln79 0]

Pammi i had the same problem you have . i would zoom right on down to the formation get on the same level and then try to go forward and dock.. my problem was i would dive down to the level of the dive and end up keep going right on pass the base. Fixing that for me is pretty much what cptnstratn said. Dive down to just above the formation then sink down to them that helped me out a lot i use to always go low no i endup floating but its easier to go back down then to come up...

[RemiAndKaren 0]

zooming...[sigh]... I really was scared that Pammi was talking about S&A... lol...
Remi
Muff 914

[antimike 0]

Hey Pammi, First of all it was great to meet you, glad you had a great time. I was watching Paula's video of the record and have a little advice, first of all you were right on at exit, eyes on the formation and good body position both legs and arms, then as the base settled and you were in perfect position to dock, for some reason instead of maintaing your good body position you stuck your legs straight out and dropped your left knee that is when you started circling, then you (this is crutial) you were set up for your dock but probably 10feet above the base your legs were straight out and you went over the top, the rest is history, So the moral of this story is you have good arm position what you need to work on is your legs.,You should use your legs to drive your self in and slow yourself down you can't do that if your legs are always straight out. When your on your approach (for now) stop about 5 to 10 feet above it and 5 to 10 feet away from it, then slowly match the bases fall rate and get level with it still 5 ft away horizontally, then use your legs by sticking them out a little at a time for your forward movement, if you start to approach to fast pull you legs back in a little, always always aproch the formation either on level or no more than 6 to 12 INCHES above or below, Because what happens whe you reach out with your arms you backslide, I once had a jumpmaster tell me along time ago that if you can't bite it don't grip it. As far as your zooming around the formation, when you feel yourself doing that STOP everything and RELAX and do a quick body check how are my arms and where how are my legs. I know how you feel though at least for me the hardest jumps I ever made were #'s 50 to 150, hang in there it will come, I understand you have 70 some jumps, so you've only been practicing freefall fo just over an hour!! Hope this helps!!
Blue skies
anti mike

[RemiAndKaren 0]

we need to stop these posts based on facts and observations....!
And Merrick: be carefull next time you do a 2 way with your Lou, she may bite instead of grab!
Remi
Muff 914

[antimike 0]

yea videoo can be a scary thing!!!!

[Albatross 0]

If you zoom by think of driving. You would never hit the gas then the brakes at the last second. try the START COAST STOP Method. I always find that I coast much farther than I think and that my momentum carries forever. This was especially apparent when I did CREW.
God bless us and God Bless America
Albatross

[Pammi 0]

Quote

And Merrick: be carefull next time you do a 2 way with your Lou, she may bite instead of grab!

Lou LOVES to bite :) She misses Merrick's nipple ring too *wink* Damn broken leg! (seriously, there IS a connection there :)
Thank you guys!! I'm so anxious to try your ideas! And having you actually get to watch what I did, Mike, is a big help. Of course, I'll have to do my practice a little at a time since we only get 10,000 up here in OK (you spoiled brats!) but if Merrick will tolerate being my 'base' a little, that's what I'll be doing!
I appreciate your responses guys! Truly! I had no idea up til now that I did that. Scotty told me that I have a hard time sitting still, I just go this way and that, and after watching the tape, I saw just what he meant. It was hilarious! I just need to chill and not get frustrated and anxious if I miss..slow down a bit.
Thanks guys!
Family Photos

[Jumperpaula 0]

Im was having a similar leg problem. I had my arms out so far, in a "huge the beachball" shape (trying not to GO LOW) that I compensated for the arms by more legs. Well, when I reached in for a grip, my legs were so far out that I got instant forward drive, hince - hard docks. So now, I dirt dive and mental image pulling my arms in between every point. The side effect is, I keep letting go of grips that should be piecemoves.....
If you guys do a lot of two ways (duhhh) one lay base and the other fly, then switch! Learning to sit still is just as hard as learning to fly! Like my tag says....
Fly Your Slot !

[carbonezone 0]

Hello Pammi, Scotty and Tami here. Tami tying Scotty's advise! And HI !!!!
Scotty's Voice Saying: My sweet little zoomy, you dont suck....you have the key in your hands. You said it yourself "you just need more practice"! I recommend that you find someone with a skydive university basis body flight 101 tape and buy it or borrow it. Or you can contact skydive university and purchase a learning package (go to skydive univeristy website). Do you have any coaches at your dropzone? If not, find a seasoned skydiver (perferably a good RW Flyer) and ask for some help/tips. The start - coast - stop method is explained really well in the tape. Bottom Line....is it takes time patients and it really helps if someone with good teaching skills is willing to work with you. Hey...you should try to come down some weekend (or during the week) and I will do some one on one with you.
Tami Talking Now: He is really good....tough but good. I did only 6 coach jumps with him when I had 50 jumps and my skills increased a great deal. Warining - Warning. he is touch but it works!!!!
OK Scotty back now: Rember...practice makes perfect and you do NOT suck at all you and all the .comers did great. I will email you our phone number and please feel free to call with any questions you may have or just to say HEY!
Blues and keep up the good work,
Later Gaters,
Scotty and Tami

[Pammi 0]

Oh thank you guys...I just love you to death! I'm gonna miss you til I can get back down there! *sniffle*
I actually DO have a Skydive U tape someone gave me when I was still such a newbie as to not understand most of it :) I will watch it over and over again! The harder part will be finding a good coach, and finding one like Scottie, well that won't happen! Our home DZ is mostly students with the only experienced people teaching them all day, thereby occupied. But we've been kinda checking out some surrounding DZ's too...hopefully I'll find someone willing to work with me a little more. The great guy who helped me get over my toilet-bowl-syndrome spins in my student progression is now off becoming a doctor..imagine that..a skydiver with some real brains! hehe
Miss you guys already Tami and Scotty!!
Family Photos

[Kris 0]

Hola Pammi! Skydive Dallas has a full Skydive U program at their DZ. In fact, Rob Laidlaw (founder of SKydive U) is one of the DZ managers there during part of the season.
If you plan on going for coaching, let me know. I just might tag along as I have been thinking about taking the course to help give me better skills when working with my students.
Kris