Well at least I can say I look like a Skydiver...

[jarrodh 0]

Well, I started skydiving about 6 months ago. Ever since my first jump I have essentially become infatuated with this sport, and this damn website which I have been on way too much, and am looking forward to my future in skydiving.

In the past month or so I have been home from the University of Florida on break and away from my home dropzone. Just before I left I earned my "A" license and since then I havent made any more jumps. However I have made progress in skydiving, in terms of gear anyway.

Before I left for break I had a Pro-Tec helmet, a pair of shitty goggles, and an old Altimeter to my name. Since then I have done a lot of homework and research in order to find the most cost efficient and appropriate gear for me and my skill level.

I got a used main/reserve/container from my AFF instructor for a sweet deal and cant wait to put some jumps on it. For Christmas my mom gave me a new pair of goggles, gloves, an audible altimeter(SOLO) and an Altitrack. About 2 weeks ago I started my search for a used Cypres to no avail. I then realized I could email a lot of the people who post complete rigs for sale and offer to buy the Cypres out of it. It worked and I found a used Cypres 1 with 7 years left that wasnt in need of service or batteries for 650 bucks, and the nice lady I bought it from lives in Florida so I got to buy it in person! At about the same time I started looking for a Cypres I also started to hunt for a jumpsuit. Im 6'3'' 220 pounds so finding one that fit wasnt easy but I combed the classifieds/posts and found one and it finally arrived today and it fit!

I know finding gear is the easy part and getting good at flying is the real issue but Im really looking forward to what the future has to offer in terms of skydivng.

In the short term I will be taking my new gear to Skydive Williston this weekend, where I learned to jump and have racked up a whopping 30 jumps, and will be hopefully improving my landings/flying. The weekend after that I will be attending the UF Falling Gators Collegiate Boogie at Skydive Palatka where I hope to do some serious jumping for 4 straight days! I have really only done coach jumps and solos to get my A license and havent been able to do the cool fun skydiving that all of you guys talk about everyday on these forums. I dont really know what to expect at the boogie but am hoping that I get on some fun skydives with some more experienced jumpers who can show me a thing or two (and who knows maybe even a three way!!!!).

In the long term I hope to do as many jumps as I can afford as a broke college student. I also hope to go to the darkside and start freeflying in a 100 jumps or so that way i can be like all you cool kids in your videos on SDMovies.com. Im also kinda interested in this Dublin boogie Ive heard so much about and am thinking about going there to jump a lot during the day and break as many as the seven deadly sins as I can at night.

Im really writing this just to say thank you to all you DZ.commers. You all have kept me occupied during my spare time with your consant arguing and crazy antics. A lot of you have also taught me a lot via posts or PM's about this fantastic sport and I will owe all of you beer (even though Im not old enough to buy it )

Blue Skies and Go Gators,
Jarrod Humphrey

2 BITS....4 BITS....6 BITS....A DOLLAR!....ALL FOR THE GATORS....STAND UP AND HOLLER!!!!

[Gene03 0]

Patience grasshopper, patience.

“The only fool bigger than the person who knows it all is the person who argues with him.

Stanislaw Jerzy Lec quotes (Polish writer, poet and satirist 1906-1966)

[NewGuy2005 53]

Your parents bought gear for you? That's pretty cool.

[laughn_gas 0]

Yeah, thats pretty cool your parents support you. Over the holidays, my parents told me that they forbid me to skydive, and I'm 35 years old.(they really used the word forbid) LMAO!!! Said I was not being very responsible with a family and all. I didn't get too upset, what do they know about skydiving? I've wanted to be a skydiver for as long as I can remember.... I talked about it with my wife in depth, before my first tandem, and she supports me 100%. I guess my point is that it makes the sport even more enjoyable for me when I know that the ones I love are behind me 100%.

See ya in a minute. Peace out!

[jarrodh 0]

Quote

Your parents bought gear for you? That's pretty cool.

Yeah I know!!!

2 BITS....4 BITS....6 BITS....A DOLLAR!....ALL FOR THE GATORS....STAND UP AND HOLLER!!!!

[adventurechick 0]

Quote

Your parents bought gear for you? That's pretty cool.

Seriously, very cool. LoL, my mom bought me counseling sessions when I started skydiving....

PMS #449 TPM #80 Muff Brother #3860
SCR #14705 Dirty Sanchez #233

[Auryn 0]

Quote

Yeah, thats pretty cool your parents support you. Over the holidays, my parents told me that they forbid me to skydive, and I'm 35 years old.(they really used the word forbid) LMAO!!! Said I was not being very responsible with a family and all. I didn't get too upset, what do they know about skydiving? I've wanted to be a skydiver for as long as I can remember.... I talked about it with my wife in depth, before my first tandem, and she supports me 100%. I guess my point is that it makes the sport even more enjoyable for me when I know that the ones I love are behind me 100%.

wait a little while.. keep skydiving on all the weekends and you'll see her opinion change.

Bryan

[kkeenan 14]

It's very refreshing to read of someone who put in the time and effort to get good deals and find some decent, workable gear to learn with, rather than grabbing a credit card and blowing 5k on new stuff. I hope you don't get muddy or scraped-up in your first 100 jumps, but if you do, it won't be so painful from a gear perspective.

It sounds like you've used your time wisely and can now use your money on building your experience.

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?