Let's not forget, folks

[LuvToFly 0]

Over the past week or so, seen a few newbies post their mistakes, close calls, etc on a thread, and seen a number of experienced people kick the crap out of them.

Let's not forget folks:

- It's good to make sure someone does not hurt themselves or others. But there is a way to communicate that which is effective. Obnoxious, cutting remarks sent down from SkyGod heaven will not make a flyer - a better flyer. Neither will grinding someone into the ground for poor judgment -

Before one lowers the axe on the newbie who comes forward to tell you how they screwed up, let's all remember one thing:

This is a daredevil sport. It is not golf, it is not basketball. There is inherent risk here... and most of the time what saves you is good training, but also good judgment. Sure, not news to the experienced here.. so the following...

Now how many excellent flyers with hundreds, if not thosands of jumps have slammed themselves into the ground either hooking low, or just plummetting too steep? Folks any time you point a canopy at the ground and make it accelerate we are taking a big chance. And those who have misjudged - even a little in that circumstance, are dead or have been badly hurt.

Before we pounce the newbies, let's think about how poor judgment has taken the lives of so many great flyers - even as recently as last week - and keep that in mind with a certain sense of humility when trying to help someone find their way to safer flying. Anything short of that is arrogance - and this sport does not need that.

The experienced in the community need to help the up and comings - not hurt. And before the conclusion is drawn that they just don't want to listen to you - check your tone. I have read some unbelievably arrogant statements hurled at folks, and that does NOT make a person want to learn from you.

If you have life-saving knowledge, great. If you don't know how to deliver that knowledge so that it does not turn people off with shame or guilt, give your info to someone else who can and let them address the newbies, and just stay out of it. You are hurting the situation, not helping it by closing people off -

If you are really concerned, take the person under your wing and help them if you can. Miss a couple of HP trips to jump with someone who could really use your help - If you don't turn them off with insults before you get there - you'll find that most people would really welcome the advice.

Remember, every newbie can stand outside the swoop zone and just say as each person spirals down, "they're not going to make it, they-re not going to make it." And eventually, they will be right? Why? Poor judgment and taking high risks. The conservative example is not exactly being set for folks in the sport -

There is a huge difference between "tough love" and arrogance. Use the right approach to reach people, and you will make this a safer sport -

"The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment
of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

[MarkM 0]

[pds 0]

Quote

and seen a number of experienced people kick the crap out of them.

if this is what you think you have seen it, you might be missing the message.

namaste, motherfucker.

[LuvToFly 0]

Got the message - just needed to tell the messengers -

If you can't see it, that's what's wrong -

"The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment
of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky