how do u think skydiving as a profession

[Deleted 0]

hi every body. i would like to know how u think skydiving is? after an experience in skydiving. please give apoll

[DanglesOZQld 0]

I have only been a full time professional skydiver (7 days a week) for about 2 1/2 years now having been in the sport about 12 years this coming January.
Basically you need to do your homework re whether the dropzone you are thinking about is going to provide you with enough work week to week and also for a long term. There are in most places no superannuation , no paid holidays and no sick leave and a paid per jump basis with regard to remuneration. Bad weather for a week or more?? Mmmm - lets get some of that money that you saved (!?) and pay the rent with that.
With most places you must have a minimum ability to do camera work , Tandems with handcam and be a teaching instructor. The more ratings and skydiving related skills you have the better your chances of making a living from the sport.

I was a Printing Tradesman for some 15 years before I started full time skydiving and most of the guys would not know what a real job is like - It makes me laugh when I hear about some of the trivial complaints that they sometimes have.

You also have to stop and smell the roses again every now and then. For example I got into this sport because I love it and would never want to treat it just as a job. I still have to do fun jumps otherwise I would in my eyes be turning the sport I love so much into a chore and I will eventually leave for good. Even doing this I have nearly given up the sport after a personally horrific intro to Tandems hence my nickname. True when they say what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger but with every Tandem I do now the thought of that day is still clear in my mind. Easy to look relaxed on the outside and a lot harder to deal with when you are by yourself.

Sorry to ramble on. Basically (and I am sure the more qualified guys AND girls out there will add to this) these are my main points -

1) Dropzone choice - Make sure the work is there and that you are able to save money when the going is good for when times or weather is bad

2) Ratings and skills - You can never have enough!!

3) Keep smiling!! - Do a fun jump every now and then and think of what it was like the first time you jumped from a plane. Don't be a skydiver with a huge ego and talk to anyone no matter what number of jumps they have.

Sorry to ramble on so much ;)
BSBD!!!! -Mark (AKA Dangles)

PS- I am from Australia , the above is my opinion only and countries such as the USA with larger populations may be easier to get full time skydiving work. I will let the USA pros comment about that ;)

"A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

[JonBonGraham 0]

Why didn't you put down any option saying "better than any other proffesion"??


As a footnote, I'm years and at LEAST a thousand jumps off being a pro but (at the moment anyway) that's the dream - move to some big US DZ and become their tandem bitch. I think I'll be happy when that day arrives.

Durham University Freefall Club

Grounds For Divorce website (band I'm in)

[Deleted 0]

As a footnote, I'm years and at LEAST a thousand jumps off being a pro but (at the moment anyway) that's the dream - move to some big US DZ and become their tandem bitch. I think I'll be happy when that day arrives.

[bigway 4]

it depends on what country you live in, this will play a part.
New zealand and australia(some dz's) you have the chance to make great money in their currency's. I imagine you could do well in the states if you get all your ratings.
You are from india and i know you are going to go and do the diploma or something similar. You might have a hard time getting work visas for any of these countries so make sure you can do this before you commit to an expense you have said you are worried about.

now if you were to do the 200 jump commercial course my dropzone does well you will have to source a way to get your own visas. These visas will only last a year at the max i think in new zealand.

Now if you were to do the other course in christchurch that you ask about, the diploma in commercial skydiving then this is a NZQA course that you come out with a diploma. This is the better way for you because it is a diploma, this means that you will find it very easy to get a visa and the school will help you.
This visa though will only last the time of the course or maybe the year.

OK so then you have the chance to work as a commercial camera man leading to tandem master and so on.
You need to think though what you will do when you have to go back to inida. Can you live and work legally in any other country? Or is there lots of skydiving work in india.
If you can live in New zealand after this course you want to do that will be great for you. The course will lead you to a job and set you up.
Just make sure you know what you can do and what county you want to take up this profession and if you can legally live there.
it is the same as any other job and you must be legal to work in the country you choose.
I hope everything works well for you and i am sure your degree in mechanical engineering will help you get visas.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[AndyMan 7]

It's a whole lot of fun, and a fantastic social life.

As a profesion, it sucks.

Before anyone jumps on me, here's why I think that.

A profesion implies that you earn enough money to make a good life for yourself.

There's a very few people I know in skydiving that make a good life for themselves entirely through skydiving.

The majority of full time skydivers I know either live in trailers on the dropzone, or in a nearby apartment they share with 4 other skydivers.

The only people I know who live comfortably either are owners of large dropzones, or people who had themselves setup before becoming a full time skydiver. Examples of this are people who already own their own home, mortgage free.

It is exceedingly dificult to live a comfortable middle-class life on the wages paid by most skydiving gigs.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[linestretch 0]

I agree with pretty much everything Dangles said. I've been doing it full time in the US for 2.5 years, and for the most part love it. But totally agree that if you don't fun jump, it will kill you. I've actually done ok and have been able to save and survive. But am to the point where I need a break, and am not planning on working in the sport for the winter. Sometimes breaking into it, you have to work where you don't get as many jumps and are at the bottom of the list. You pretty much have to prove yourself. One more thing I would add, get your riggers ticket. Over the winter, you'll have a little more income when it's raining.

my pics & stuff!

[GravityGirl 0]

Hmmmm.

A great proffession with an office with a view better than a penthouse in Manhatten.

If you are currently a highly paid professional consider the savings in rent (trailers are cheap), food, and alcoholic beverage expenses. Factor that into your bottom line.

If you need help tweeking the numbers to justify it for yourself, I'm well versed in that area.

Not much in the way of a retirement fund, so plan accordingly.

p.s. Want to buy a Gear Store!?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Blue Skies!
Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

[firstime 0]

this thread couldnt have come at a better time.
My boss is closing shop to retire @ years end, and
with severance & unempolyment my thought was " I
dont have to work for a least 6 months, I will jump
my ass off and get some ratings, then do this for
a living" My spur of the moment decision has been
slapped in the face with a majority vote therefore I
will go for my D so I can do beach jumps and maintain my weekend warrior status. What woke me
up was Dangles statement that when it becomes a chore he will leave. Seems to be a thin line that I dont want to approach........

[DanglesOZQld 0]

Yeah it is certainly no easy ride to be going at it full time - you have your good days as well as your really bad days but considering what it was like for me being stuck in a factory being paid shite even as a tradesman I would not do anything else. There is a better job though!!! Took Steve Irwin's camera dude Doug for a Tandem a few weeks ago. There were some interesting stories there I can tell you! Basically not something everyone can or will want to do but if you have around 500 jumps or so you can speak to the guys and girls and draw on your own experience and either stay a weekend warrior or go the big step. Basically really do your homework! Happy to chat about this to anyone wishing to email me. Email is on my profile ;) BSBD -Mark AKA Dangles.

"A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"