NWFlyer 2 #1 July 12, 2005 At the bar last week, a non-skydiver* at our table posed the question "What makes someone a good skydiver?" We talked about it for a while, and I've been thinking about it ever since... So, what makes someone a good skydiver? What makes them someone you would be totally willing (even eager) to jump with if you ran into them at the DZ? I'm looking for skills/traits/etc that apply to skydivers at all levels, regardless of discipline or experience. Some ideas I had based on my very limited experience... ...knows and respects their limits while still challenging themselves to grow ...has their head in the game every time they get on a plane and knows when to walk away if they don't ...willing to listen and learn and seek out a variety of opinions ...willing to take responsibilty for their own actions and how they affect others/willing to own up when they fuck up That's just scratching the surface... other ideas? *Though I don't think she'd ever jumped, she asked interesting, interested, intelligent questions, so I won't disrespect her by calling her a whuffo."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #2 July 12, 2005 At a DZ I used to jump at, there was a jumper fond of saying, "If I'm having more fun than you are, I'm a better skydiver." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
larsrulz 0 #3 July 12, 2005 QuoteSo, what makes someone a good skydiver? What makes them someone you would be totally willing (even eager) to jump with if you ran into them at the DZ? Listening more than talking. Two examples of this from my DZ are we recently had a visiting jumper come to our dropzone with probably 1000 or so jumps. As the DZO and a number of other jumpers showed the jumper around, said jumper constantly told of all the things that he/she 'could do/has done/knows.' And no one was impressed in the slightest. Whereas when one of our current pilots/tandem masters came by the DZ for the first time, he told the load organizer that he had about 100 jumps. He went out on a random RW dive, and it was quite aparent that he had far more than 100 jumps. Only after coming down did he inform us that he was a T-I/AFF-I/Pilot who grew up on a Cali DZ! Now if only I could learn to listen more than I talk! I got a strong urge to fly, but I got no where to fly to. -PF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #4 July 12, 2005 Geez...I don't know yet...I'm still trying to figure out how to be a good skydiver. All I can do is listen and learn and try not to hurt anyone by trying to outfly my ass. I'll be following this thread for hints and clues...ya'll keep 'em coming! A word though....the "skygod" mentality really turns me off - I'd much rather jump with a newbie than put up with the "I'm so great" crap. Skills is only a part of being a good skydiver.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darius11 12 #5 July 12, 2005 Knowing your own limitsI'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zoter 0 #6 July 12, 2005 Humility over ego......no matter what level of experience. A safety concious attitude that isnt anal.... And always willing to go up for a 'skydive'...no matter who its with or what you are doing as long as as your ability levels dont compromise the safety of the dive If I see that in people.....I'll be buying you a beer no matter who you are.....or how much time you have in the sport Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #7 July 12, 2005 I don't know what makes a good skydiver but i do know at least one GREAT skydiver.. ya gotta love him.. he freeflies, does RW, birdman, tandem, AFF.. always up for something off the wall.. shitloads of jumps and loves to jump with newbies.. He is one GREAT skydiver! chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zep 0 #8 July 12, 2005 Someone who puts as much into the sport, as they get out of it. Gone fishing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #9 July 12, 2005 QuoteI don't know what makes a good skydiver but i do know at least one GREAT skydiver.. ya gotta love him.. he freeflies, does RW, birdman, tandem, AFF.. always up for something off the wall.. shitloads of jumps and loves to jump with newbies.. He is one GREAT skydiver! I'd agree with that. And he looks great in a Speedo! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EvilLurker 2 #10 July 12, 2005 I've always found the skydivers I enjoyed being around the most were the type that were willing to help the newer jumpers out and were not afraid to tell you if they didn't know the answer to something. Most don't take themselves too seriously and have a good sense of humor. You won't find many "skygods" with that attitude. Quoteshitloads of jumps and loves to jump with newbies.. Yeah, that type. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scrumpot 1 #11 July 12, 2005 In my eyes, Jerry Bird was (is) a great skydiver. Sandy Wambach was a great skydiver. Michael Owens (our very own MJOSparky) is a great skydiver (brownie points? ) Not necessarily JUST because of their individual skydiving skills and talents (which are self-evident), but also because of what they do (and have) give(n) BACK to the the community, both directly and selflessly, CONSISTENTLY over time. I am honored and humbled to say I have jumped with each of them. There are several others, and many I am "missing" here (probably several big-way organizers and recruiters I should be "kissing some butt to too! )but in all seriousness (again to me) with similar "profiles" of not only HAVING THE "SKILLS", but the HUMILITY and the attitude of GIVING BACK and sharing those skills ...with the rest of us lowly schmuck wanna-be's! My .02 -Grantcoitus non circum - Moab Stone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #12 July 13, 2005 The best skydiver is the one who never stops learning and never stops passing on what s/he has learned to others. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #13 July 13, 2005 QuoteI don't know what makes a good skydiver but i do know at least one GREAT skydiver.. ya gotta love him.. he freeflies, does RW, birdman, tandem, AFF.. always up for something off the wall.. shitloads of jumps and loves to jump with newbies.. He is one GREAT skydiver! Madjohn is definately a great skydiver! Especially in a speedo! -------------- (Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #14 July 13, 2005 Quote The best skydiver is the one who never stops learning and never stops passing on what s/he has learned to others. If you add "...and doesn't take themselves too seriously" to that, I'm in total agreement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livenletfly 0 #15 July 13, 2005 great question. 1. safe and heads up 2. doesnt put alot of pressure on the success of the dive 3. always trying to learn more 3. humble non skygod attitude 4. gives good feedback in a non attacking way 5. sticks around after the jump day 6. willing to jump with newbies 7. plans a realistic dive that can actually be pulled off. 8. loves the sport and gives back to it 9. jumps alot!!!!!!!! 10. well rounded in different diciplines 11. doesnt talk shit about other jumpers gear and dicipline choices 12. plays by the rules, respects the dzo and s&ta 13. doesnt determine who you are by how well you skydive> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeth 0 #16 July 13, 2005 Quotegreat question. 1. safe and heads up 2. doesnt put alot of pressure on the success of the dive 3. always trying to learn more 3. humble non skygod attitude 4. gives good feedback in a non attacking way 5. sticks around after the jump day 6. willing to jump with newbies 7. plans a realistic dive that can actually be pulled off. 8. loves the sport and gives back to it 9. jumps alot!!!!!!!! 10. well rounded in different diciplines 11. doesnt talk shit about other jumpers gear and dicipline choices 12. plays by the rules, respects the dzo and s&ta 13. doesnt determine who you are by how well you skydive This is a great answer! A good skydiver never forgets what brought them to the sport or the joy of their 1st jump. I also think a good skydiver tries to always represent the sport in a positive way. But never disrespects people who don't understand the passion. Ok, thats all thats coming off the top of my head at the moment. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
racer42 0 #18 July 13, 2005 QuoteThe best skydiver is the one who never stops learning and never stops passing on what s/he has learned to others. That's it.L.A.S.T. #24 Co-Founder Biscuit Brothers Freefly Team Electric Toaster #3 Co-Founder Team Non Sequitor Co-Founder Team Happy Sock Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orange1 0 #19 July 14, 2005 QuoteThe Attitude. Yup. So, I'm at the DZ one quiet day doing my first or second solo after AFF and start chatting to this guy who's obviously been in the sport a while. He's nice and friendly and very patient & helpful with a milliion typical "dumb newbie questions", happy to sit & chat about jumps, gear, whatever. A couple of days later i get hold of a (the) local skydiving magazine and there's an article about him. So I mention this guy to one of the other guys there and he says "oh ya... he's probably one of the best skydivers in the country".Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
