bluefingers 0 #1 January 20, 2003 Hey everyone! A while ago I posted regarding my frustrations on the static line progression ... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=202221;search_string=static%20line%20frustrations;#202221 Anyway, I was really battling to progress, got put back on rope several times, but I have finally busted through that mental block I had. (there are a number of people on dz.com who really helped me through that - you know who you are! *hugs*)One of my issues was that I kept telling myself not to stuff up. So of course, I stuffed up. It took me a while to realise that positive thinking really does help! In total, I've done 4 S/L's, 18 DRCPs, 6 3sec delays, 2 five sec delays, and 2 10secs. I have to do two good ones before i move forward, so one more. It's been very frustrating, but I now realise a lot of my problem was currency. Jumping once a month simply doesn't work. Towards the end of last year I picked up the pace, and guess what? I started progressing. When I finally passed my 3sec it was such a liberating feeling. After passing my 5sec, even better. I did my first 10sec on Saturday, and I must be honest, I was frigging terrified. I had no idea what to expect. Deep breath, get out on the step, check in, GO! Well, who would have thought counting to 10 would be a difficult thing On about 5secs, I was still looking at the plane, suddenly thought "hang on, I'm supposed to be looking at the horison" and promptly looked down. Saw planet earth. Oh shit! Ground! Lost count, felt myself tipping, so arched hard and pulled. JM says I pulled on 7secs by his count. Also, my upper body position was spot on, but my legs were kicking. (I could have been doing the splits, for all I knew. I hadn't a clue what my legs were doing). I think that was the longest canopy ride of my life! It took forever to get down, and it was pretty choppy up there, so didn't want to do too many spirals. The second attempt went much better! I had an idea what to expect, so I wasn't quite as terrified. I slowed my count right down (I pulled on 10sec, my count, but the JM counted 12sec. He said he realised I was compensating for my tendency to rush my drills, so he said it was ok). Felt myself come off the hill, my head dipped a little, but I arched harder and popped back up (amazing!). I turned about 30 degrees off heading (requirements are no more than 90). Was stable on my pull. BUT I was porpoising. I could feel the rocking motion, but I was so awed by the sound of the wind, I didnt think about how to fix it. Had a long chat with my JM, and he said my legs were very positive, and I was tense. All in all it was absolutely amazing! 10sec doesn't sound like much, but I've suddenly realised what I'm doing this for. I am so glad I persevered. I just can't wait to get back to the DZ, and get to my 15sec ... Sorry about the long blether .... but I just had to share! Kerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #2 January 20, 2003 Congrats! Sounds like you're doing excellent. Keep up the good work. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skystorm 0 #3 January 20, 2003 CONGRATS GIRL!!Knew you could do it. Gene Police: "YOU!! Out of the pool, NOW!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot90 0 #4 January 20, 2003 cool, keep at it!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dterrick 0 #5 January 20, 2003 Congrats! Brings back memories for me ... there seems to be so few that talk about that "ol' fashion" way to skydive s/l progression. My first 10 sec delay was jump #13 (I think). Once you've learned to get stable doing a "paper pull" from a C-182 you've also learned a very disciplined body position - use it and enjoy freaking out "turbine bebies" with low altitude hop n pops. I bet canopy flight "feels" like second nature already, too. Very soon the porpoising at terminal will go away - you'll find it when you get "relaxed" and THAT will be in a jump or 2 one you get used to the sound and the feel of the wind. ...neat to think of the wind like a "solid" all of a sudden, isn' it? Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #6 January 20, 2003 Go girl! It took me 10 years and 20 jumps to get of that line so I know how it feels (ok there was a bit of a gap!) Is static line dying as the main means of progression for Student Skydiving progression. It's how I and most people I know learned and thought that was still mainly the case. Most experienced skydivers I met told me that it was the better way to learn and there was an element of looking down on the "quick fix" AFF students. I don't know why but maybe it was a money thing.... it always seemed more pronounced with those AFF students who bought an alti after jump 1 , had already got a order on for a new rig, etc.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #7 January 20, 2003 Yeah, I remember my first 10 second delay - it was the first time I got a feel for what skydiving was really like, the first time it didn't feel like just falling out of a plane. The temptation to take it just a little lower was strong; I really wanted to see what was going to happen next. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mustard 0 #8 January 20, 2003 Totally cool! Even though I have a S/L instructor rating, I went through AFF. I've only made one S/L and that was to get that rating. I only had two graduates in one year, since almost everyone else went AFF (as did I at the same DZ). Then I moved on to get an AFF rating. There haven't been a lot of S/Ls in my area, a few from the FJC course but then they move on to AFF if they want to progress. I loved hearing all the little details, so don't stint on those, thinking you are getting too long. What you remember and wrote about tell me so much about your progress, and it makes me thrilled for you. Whatever way a person can progress through, you've already made it, so what does it matter? But I loved hearing a true story from a S/L student who is in love with skydiving and is continuing. "Bluefingers?" Is there a story there I missed? *** DJan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ernokaikkonen 0 #9 January 20, 2003 >"Bluefingers?" Is there a story there I missed? Apparently yes, but it'll be easier to stuff a freeflier in an RW-suit than it is to get her to share the story....I did the S/L-progression too. First freefall was jump #20... At least I got plenty of time under canopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohanW 0 #10 January 20, 2003 Hey, my first freefall was #20, too. And I'm not anywhere near defensive 'bout that. Taking my time was convenient and comforting, and there is more to parachuting than just skydiving. At the DZ, I'm actually looking forward to the moment we'll be doing S/L jumps for the last load of the day with all the experienced people again. Not to mention the instructors. Johan. I am. I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
debonair 0 #11 January 21, 2003 QuoteI was so awed by the sound of the wind, I didnt think about how to fix it. I remember the first time I jumped in the summertime without gloves. I could feel the wind rushing between my fingers - I swear I could almost see it. Those early awareness shockers when you are first learning are so amazing. Its rare that I get that sudden jolt of "oh my gosh" awareness these days - well, maybe when I looked over at all the divers heading towards the formation while exiting on the GoFast 300way jumps and thought - OH WOW, check this out! Still lovin' it after all these years... AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skr 1 #12 January 21, 2003 Good jump stories .. Thanks. I could feel myself accelerating into the wind just reading it. Skr Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluefingers 0 #13 January 27, 2003 Yeeehaaaa! I passed my second 10sec this weekend - loved it even more, now cleared to 15sec. I can't wait! We weren't lucky with the weather. Went up on Saturday, got to 3500ft, it started pouring with rain, so had to land in the plane SUnday morning, tried again. It was pretty cloudy, but there were holes. I was a lot, and I mean a lot calmer in the plane. 5000ft, out you get! Climbed out on the step, hmmm clouds ..... wait, wait, wait, ok, over the hole, GO! I was more aware of the acceleration this time, picked a point on the horison, and kept my heading. Even plucked up the nerve to glance at the ground - didn't freak me out this time. On my last jump, my legs were too positive, this time they were a little too negative. Still trying to get used to what my legs are doing. I started to porpoise, but I remembered what Mark had told me. Deep breath, relax, wiggle your hands, they're in your peripheral, you're stable, you're styling, have fun! Guess what, the porpoising stoppedCanopy ride was ok, but I flared a little early, PLF! Got my 15sec briefing, but the clouds closed in completely, so now I have to wait until Saturday. Kerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skystorm 0 #14 January 27, 2003 Congrats Blue. Feels good doesn't it? Gene Police: "YOU!! Out of the pool, NOW!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
