Total noob question here...

[sergeantpowers 0]

I'm in the middle of AFF, and so far the opening and canopy ride on all my jumps (yeah, all 3 of them) has hurt like hell in the crotch region. Is this normal, or is there something I can do about it? I tried loosening my leg straps a little on my second jump, and it made it a little more bearable, but turns under canopy still sucked. At the risk of sounding like a pansy, is there anything that I can do to make my canopy ride a little less... excrutiating? Or do I just need to suck it up and quit whining about it?

[Will_Evo 0]

I had the same problem when I first started.

First, your thighs are not used to that kind of beating, its not often they are tugged in a manner like that, so it does take some getting used to. It'll hurt for a while, and then you won't notice it much at all.

Second, do not loosen your leg straps, loosening them will make the opening more rough for your legs, keep them tight and let your thighs get used to it.

Third, Under Canopy, once you've checked that your canopy is there, its square and its steerable, you can try lifting up one leg at a time and sliding the leg strap down a few inches on your leg, this will put you more in a sit, rather than a hang, and is MUCH more comfortable during the canopy ride.

Of course before you do any of this, talk to your instructor about it, and make sure they are cool with you taking your focus off of steering for a few seconds to make the ride more enjoyable. Blue Skies!

-Evo

Zoo Crew

[virgin-burner 1]

some of those student-rigs are kinda painful; i've gotten black and blue on openings more than once on mine.. it will get better once you have your own (fitting) gear, plus having a bit more experience with packing might also be helpful..

“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda

[Kami-kaze 0]

That happened to me, too . It was during the canopy ride, the straps digging in and I just shifted the straps to a more comfty position like Willevo said... The rig just didn't have much padding and not wide enough.
Have fun and good luck with your AFF

[blade12gpa 0]

Not that i have a hell of alot of jumps, but i had a similar problem when i jumped. The first couple hurt, then it just kinda got better. I did three jumps in one day, i think it was AFF 6/7 my grad jump and one fun jump and after it was all said and done I felt like i had been BEAT. On that final jump i couldnt hardly turn the canopy without everything hurting. For the rest of my jumps it didnt bother me any more.

And i get to do it all over again. One of these days ill come up with some money

[thedude325 0]

I've got the same problem. Jumping a dolphin student rig. I swear whoever designed this thing is a sadist.

[BIGUN 1,483]

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I swear whoever designed this thing is a sadist.

Yeah, probably the same bastard who designed the Pegasus, Manta, Fury, and Javelin.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[labrys 0]

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Or do I just need to suck it up and quit whining about it?

Sorry, but probably yes.

Talk to the instructors you are working with to get tips on how to best adjust your gear for now.

Owned by Remi #?

[sergeantpowers 0]

Cool, thanks for the advice. But even if it never gets any better, it's totally worth it.

[thedude325 0]

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I swear whoever designed this thing is a sadist.

Yeah, probably the same bastard who designed the Pegasus, Manta, Fury, and Javelin.

Yeah, I thought about that right after I posted. lulz. Mike could have made the straps a bit wider though...

[Andy9o8 2]

You could try stuffing some padding inside your jumpsuit at your inner thighs, like a thick, folded-up hand towel. Some people have even tried oven mitts. Or you could get a couple of those seatbelt/shoulder strap pads they sell in auto parts stores and use those to supplement the padding on your leg straps.

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

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Cool, thanks for the advice. But even if it never gets any better, it's totally worth it.

It gets a lot better eventually. Student rigs are "one size sorta fits most". Rarely are they comfortable. If possible, try as many of the student rigs as they will let you. There will (almost certainly) be one that is more comfortable than the rest.

The first rig you buy for yourself will fit much better. Even if it's not custom fitted. And will be a lot more comfortable.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[twistedspark 0]

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Cool, thanks for the advice. But even if it never gets any better, it's totally worth it.

It also might depend on what you're wearing. I've had a few jumps with some gear that was really slick against my belly flying jumpsuit (nylon slides on nylon). If you're not wearing a cotton jumpsuit, and your legstraps aren't tight enough you risk the worst type of malfunction possible...a nut-under!

[wildfan75 1]

If your thighs look like this (see attachment)...

...you might want to try oven mitts.

Oven mitts worked for me. And they can work for you!

Note: If you're female, I recommend "thumbs up". If you're male, I recommend "thumbs down".

[mrbiceps 0]

i had same problem buddy. This is what u need to do. try and sit back in your harness abit like you are sitting in a chair and reach down and pull the leg straps a few inches down your leg towards your knees. This is alot more comfy than riding your canopy with a straight body. That moves the weight from the straps away from your crotch and to the backs of your legs which is alot less painfull.

[virgin-burner 1]

i tried that once; and almest fell out of the darn harness!

“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda