What is your defenition of current?

[udder 0]

Right now I have 2 jumps in the last two months, jumping just enough to meet minimum requirements while I save for a rig. I reckon it will take at least another 4 or 5 months to save up as I'm a pretty damn broke uni student... On top of this I won't jump if I make it to the National selection regatta, in which case it will be another 7 weeks till I can jump again.

Should I just keep on ticking over slowly for the next few months or just take the time off until I have a rig? It just painful currently to pay out for rig hire($33 aussie dollars) when I could be spending that on my own stuff...

"In one way or the other, I'm a bad brother. Word to the motherf**ker." Eazy-E

[stratostar 5]

Keep jumping and learn to pack for money or gear rental!

~

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[Tonto 1]

It's a very personal scale once you get past the "legal" requirements.

For me, it's 200 dives a year, and I jumpweekends only. There have been years I've done less than 200 (10) and years I've done more than 200 (11) my average for 21 years is about 225. As an AFF I, I think I'd be doing my students a dis-service by being less current than that.

I did only 20 jumps in 1987. (after breaking a femur) In retrospect, it would have been wiser to stop until I was fully recovered and then start again.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[daniel_owen_uk 0]

I think it's very weather dependent too, if I could afford to do 200 a year, without leaving the UK, I very much doubt I could do that many.

__________________

BOOM Headshot

[Tonto 1]

As I said, "It's personal."

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[dharma1976 0]

its totally personal...for me if I go 2 weeks without jumping I feel as if I am a bit off and it takes me a jump or two to get back in the groove...

as far as the reccomendations of the USPA they follow:

A License
USPA A-license holders who have not made a freefall skydive within--
1. 60 days: should make at least one jump under the supervision of a currently rated USPA instructional rating holder until demonstrating altitude awareness, freefall control on all axes, tracking, and canopy skills sufficient for safely jumping in groups
2. 90 days: should make at least one jump beginning in Category D with a USPA AFF Instructor or in Category B with a USPA IAD Static-Line, or Tandem Instructor before proceeding to unsupervised freefall

B License
USPA B-license holders who have not made a freefall skydive within the preceding 90 days should make at least one jump under the supervision of a USPA instructional rating holder until demonstrating the ability to safely exercise the privileges of that license.

C and D License
USPA C- and D-license holders who have not made a freefall skydive within the preceding six months should make at least one jump under the supervision of a USPA instructional rating holder until demonstrating the ability to safely exercise the privileges of that license.

Dave

http://www.skyjunky.com

CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing.

[Squeak 17]

Quote

its totally personal...for me if I go 2 weeks without jumping I feel as if I am a bit off and it takes me a jump or two to get back in the groove...

Dave

I concur, I havn't jumped the last 2 weekends and this weekend when I go to the DZ I'll be feeling VERY anxious on the 1st load. Current for me is jumping every possible week.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[L.O. 0]

As almost every reply has stated it is personal. I would agree the most with the person who said learn to pack for money. But I would say stop jumping and put the cash towards the new rig. If you just jump enough to get by, you become more of a hazard to yourself and to those jumping with you. I would much rather see you take a few weeks or months off, then see you have a few bad jumps and stop jumping because of it. Its easy to get frustrated when you make less then 100 jumps a year, your progression is almost nil at that rate and if you just wait til you can give'r I think you would be much happier

HPDBs, I hate those guys.
AFB, charter member.

[Ron 10]

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Should I just keep on ticking over slowly for the next few months or just take the time off until I have a rig? It just painful currently to pay out for rig hire($33 aussie dollars) when I could be spending that on my own stuff...

"Current" depends on the person as everyone else said.

However being current is the safest thing you can do for yourself.

Life is about having fun, so I would still jump, but only do safer jumps. Don't push it, just do some fun, low preasure jumps. I would not stop, since to be honest there is never a good time to do a hobby. More important things always come along.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[jakee 1,564]

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I think it's very weather dependent too, if I could afford to do 200 a year, without leaving the UK, I very much doubt I could do that many.

Lots of people do over 200 a year in the uk, weekends only.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[Katherine 0]

I know i am REALLY new, but I feel rusty if I havn't jumped for 3 or 4 weeks - and that is despite practicing EPs and counts at home (please dont tell my non skydiving friends...)
Do you have any friends who will let you jump their rig? Then you could jump enough to stay 'in the groove' and not waste money on hiring kit.

Leeds University Skydiving Club
www.skydiveleeds.co.uk

[Airman1270 0]

Are we defining "current" as the ability to fly our best, or to just jump safely?

I've averaged fewer than 40 jumps a year forever. Last year I barely made 15. After a few months off I did a 6- or 7-way, swooped in last, and docked real nice. While I'll never make Jack Jeffries' rolodex, I'm so used to sporadic jumping I can take time off and return to my previous skill level without posing a threat to you. (One reason for this is that I don't get into situations that are over my head. Sure, I'll join you on that 20 way, but understand that I may not make my slot before breakoff. But at least I won't kill you.)

I haven't jumped in three months. My reserve is in date until early March, so I'll likely make another dive before then. Probably a solo, but we'll see who's at the DZ and work from there...

Cheers,
Jon S.

[brianfry713 0]

I don't know what it's like in Australia, but as far as currency in the U.S., it'd be nice to get your A license before taking significant time off. Then you can take longer breaks between jumps and focus on saving up for a rig. Keep you eyes out for good deals on used rigs. That way you won't have to spend as much money on recurrency training or repeat AFF jumps. Of course, spend some time reviewing everything, ask questions, and stay safe.

edit: I don't think spending money on gear rental before you are licensed is really wasting money, especially if you're not very current. That way, you can rent and learn on bigger canopies than you're going to buy for your first rig. Once you feel comfortable on a canopy size that will last you for a while should you stop renting and buy a rig.

BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI
USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative