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Thoughts on tunnel training for a new skydiver?

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It's winter here in Chicago, and I won't be starting my AFP until spring... so I'm looking for ways to improve my skills in the off season and prepare myself. Would it be beneficial to attend a tunnel camp or something along those lines over the winter, or could it in some way throw off the balance of my AFP training when that time comes?

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Is there a tunnel in Chicago, or will you have to travel? If you're travelling why don't you just go do AFP somewhere sunny? You don't have to be loyal to the DZ where you started. They will understand; If they don't, they suck. I'll bet they will even refer you to a dz in florida to go to if you don't want to wait for spring.

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I'm going to be in Las Vegas for 3 days in January and Miami for 5 days in February...

I know there's a tunnel in Vegas, and I think I remember reading that there was one near Miami (correct me if I'm wrong...).

I just figured it wouldn't be worth doing the one jump I might be able to squeeze in while in Vegas and/or Miami since it would be another 3-4 months before my next jump anyway.

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could it in some way throw off the balance of my AFP training when that time comes?



No, it could not. It would enhance and/or accelerate your training.
Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

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Book yourself an hour at the Orlando tunnel in March or April, just before you start jumping. You don't need to book a camp, just let the folks at the tunnel know what your plans are. By the time you finish AFF you'll be jumping like some one with many more jumps.

My daughter is a prime example of tunnel time before AFF. She did an hour before her first jump and it made a huge world of difference. It's very good stuff.

Easy Does It

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You might post to the tunnel forum for other people's thoughts, but in my opinion the tunnel in Vegas isn't really worth the time.


Sorry... didn't see that there was one.

Thanks for the input everyone... Looks like I'll definitely be planning on getting some time in the tunnel before my AFP next year :)

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You might post to the tunnel forum for other people's thoughts, but in my opinion the tunnel in Vegas isn't really worth the time.



I used the tunnel when I resumed AFF, but in addition to what Tom said, I wonder if you'd gain much given it will be months longer before you resume training. Comes down to how you want to spend your entertainment dollar there.

I went from the tunnel to the refresher to the air (L3 release) in the span of 6 hours. Great help there.

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I spent a total of about 30 minutes in the tunnel at SkyVenture when I was going through AFF. It helped me to develop a stable freefall. If you can float in the tunnel without rotating and banging into the sides of the tunnel, you should have no problems in actual freefall. In the tunnel you don't have to worry about altitude awareness and can concentrate on proper body position. Then when you get up in the sky, your body should have some muscle memory and you can tell yourself "It is just like the tunnel, only remember to pull and watch your altitude!"

In my opinion, it is worth it. Tunnel time costs a lot less then the repeat of a category jump.
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in my opinion the tunnel in Vegas isn't really worth the time.



I took my wife to a Flyaway tunnel (Pigeon Forge)before she took AFF. No, it's not as nice as a Skyventure, but I guarantee that had we not gone, she would have repeated quite a few more AFF jumps. In fact, when Gary found out she was prepping for AFF, he personally went in with her to help train. Still definitely worth it.

I wouldn't downplay getting ANY air time, even if it's in Vegas.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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