CanuckInUSA

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to hear you say this. I obviously fall into this category of "dangerous to myself" skydivers being the 160+ jump wonder in only 7+ months. Now I'd like to believe that many of my jumps haven't been all that dangerous. But believe it or not, I have learned some lessons along the way and this is mainly because I haven't been just doing docile jumps. Now I am a freeflier by heart and yes I did learn how to sit before I started venturing head down (I still have issues with my head down I'm trying to work on). But I also got to do something during the Eloy x-mas boogie that I would never get a chance to do around my home DZs and that was to participate in large formation loads. I did talk with some fellow more seasoned DZ.COMers the night before these loads and they thought we were all crazy (what with our experience levels), but it was a good experience and hopefully lessons were learned by more than myself (my biggest lesson was to be leary of the base's burble). Another area where I do realize that I am putting myself at some risk is in my canopy flying. But this is an accepted risk which I am willing to take (hey I'm not a crazy low-jump #s yahoo flying a 1.6-2.0+ elliptical canopy so please keep the flames to a minimum). But recently I did learn a valuable lesson. For a long time now I've loved using my front risers, but this was mainly after I turned final. But thanks to a canopy course I recently attended, I learned that front riser turns performed differently than toggle turns and I started experimenting with them. Well on one jump I came within about 10 feet of not being able to recover from the riser dive and obviously could have really hurt myself. Lessons learned? A lot of altitude can and will be lost on front riser turns and divers, so I need to initiate them higher and not be so aggresive with them at this stage of my novice swooping career. And since that incident, my front riser dives have been initiated much higher and my landings have been pretty nice. Would I have learned this lesson if I was still doing docile toggle turns on my old 7 cell triathlon? Maybe, but probably not. Anyway, I do agree that we low-timers need to not push the envelope too much. But we must also learn from our mistakes just as long as those mistakes aren't the kind that kill or mame. As far as this topic is concerned, I have yet to jump without an altimeter and I'm not sure I see a huge value in doing so in the near future. I say this because I've had two recent incidents which makes me think that I'm reasonably aware of the altitude. In January I was head down at the end of a jump when my ProTrack failed. Looking at the horizon I noticed I was getting lower than I was used to, so I rolled out of my head down, tracked and ended up pulling at about 2200 feet. Then on my last jump last Saturday, I was on a solo head down which I knew wasn't a full altitude jump (the ceiling was about 9000 feet) and just seconds prior to my Dytter going off, I said to myself, "Dude it's about time you started thinking about getting on your belly", which I did.

I like that idea. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I feel for you and I don't know if this will help, but ... good weather vibes are being sent to Mississippi for the weekend. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Party in Wingnut's RV and everyone's invited!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

It was supposed to be ready sometime this week. I guess I should give Heather a call tomorrow. I'm just hoping that I don't have a reserve ride between now and when the new container arrives. Of course I won't be doing any skydiving while Mother Nature holds us under her deep freeze. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

What would we do without you Lisa? Every time I look at a DZ.COM boogie event, I see your name on the attendees list. I hope I can make it out to Perris in May. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Dan's not big, but he's not that small either. I'm guessing the wing loading for him on a 170 will be about 1.1 to 1.2. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Hey I'm going to Europe to be with Holly!!! Seriously, I'm not going to give you specific advise about buying this or that sort of gear brands (I'm not the most qualified person and there's too many opinions), but if you're looking to get into the sport and buy some gear here's what you'll need and what would be nice to have: Must/should have: 1) A helmet. A skiing and even biking helmet is better than nothing, but helmets designed for skydiving are preferred as there is less chance of your risers and/or lines snagging plus many skydiving helmets have internal or external ports for audible altimeters. 2) A visual wrist mount altimeter. 3) A modern container (preferably something freefly friendly). Now you don't have to be a freeflier to use the benefits of a freefly friendly rig. Anytime you're doing flips and barrel rolls you run the risk of a pre-mature deployment (which is obviously reduced if using a freefly friendly rig). 4) A main canopy sized appropriately for your skill levels. 5) A reserve canopy also sized appropriately for your skill level. 6) Googles or very tight fitting sun glasses. Eye protection is a must. Nice to have: 1) Automatic Activation Device (AAD) which will deploy your reserve canopy in the event that you can't do so yourself. There are several types to choose from, but the Cypres is really the one to use here. 2) One or more audible altimeters, but only after you've done enough jumps where you're altitude aware. 3) One or more jump suits. An RW suit is that is your fancy, or a freefly suit if you want to join the dark side. But sweat pants and a sweat shirt are popular alternatives. Now there are many more nitty gritty things to think about such as parachute deployment system for your container (BOC being the most popular), slider and pilot chute types, etc, etc, etc. It's a good thing when possible to stay away from systems which use velcro, but there are still plenty of air worthy rigs out there still using velcro. Velcro just wears things out faster. As far as new versus used equipment is concerned, the common consesus is to buy used as most jumpers are inclined to upgrade their rigs after some time in the sport and it's cheaper to buy used. But some of us crazy people (myself included) have bought new and still upgraded. I personally don't think it's such a bad idea to buy a new container that's sized for your body, but that's only because I'm leary about the older not-freefly friendly rigs out there. Anyway, I'm sure you'll get some good feedback here (and no doubt I'm sure someone will be flaming me for what I've said). But I'd also highly recommend you calling up Lisa at Square One as she'll likely be able to give you some good advice. So when am I coming to visit you? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Am I spoiled with my home DZs airplane(s)? Currently the place where I regularly jump has a King Air and a Cessna 206 and in a little over a month we'll also be getting an Otter. So here I sit thinking, how spoiled am I in this marvelous sport of skydiving? How many of you out there only have access to a Cessna 206 or 182 (or worse)? What airplane(s) does your home DZ have? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Danny Have fun but be safe. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

If I said that to Hook, I don't know if he'd want to re-pack mine again. So I need to be nice to him ... ... at least while he's still here in CO. But if he get's that CSP job, all bets are off. Be nice to your rigger, they may just save your life. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Holy shyte!!! Wingnut has his own gear? What's this world coming to? Congrats and beer to you Wingy!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I could have sworn that I wasn't that close to you, but I guess it's hard to argue with the video. I think there's a very good chance I'll be at the DZ.COM Perris Memorial Day boogie for about five days or so and maybe skip off at visit Elsinore for a day while I'm there. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I think you'll like the Sabre2 once you start flying it. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Oh good god that was a funny video. It really should be a "how not to skydive video". But it was an awesome boogie and the video brought back many a good memory. Once again, thanks for all of the hard work Duece. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Woo-hoo!!! I just got home and waiting for me was my Eloy Formation load video + pic CD from Duece. So now I'll sit down with a beer, some chicken wings (dinner will come later) and watch the vid. Hopefully the cheap non-real music won't scare me. Thanks for the hard work Duece.

why wasn't sunshine included as one of the characters? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I'm sure SkymonkeyOne (head skydiving instructor at Raeford) would be able to answer this if he's around. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

What are you worried about? That the microline will chop off you foot or something? I thought you Texas folk were tough. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Skymama gave you some good info. Also, while you may ultimately choose to buy some gear else where, give Lisa (aka Skybytch) a call at Square One. I'm sure she can give you lots of valuable info.

Talk to Hooknswoop. He may be able to help you? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

The Sabre2 is a nine cell while the Spectre is a seven cell. So at equal wing loadings the Sabre2 will give you a flatter glide angle and slightly more forward speed resulting in more of a swoop. As to which one is better for you, that will depend on what you want to get into. I'm a novice swooper and thus prefer the swooping capabilities of the Sabre2 and I feel that this is an excellent canopy for myself to be learning on. But you may be more into accuracy jumping, in which case the Spectre will be better for you. It all depends on what style of canopy fight attracts you. But as always, talk to those who you jump with who know your abilities and trust. And take whatever we say here on DZ.COM with a bolder of salt. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Thanks for the update Lew. I'm patiently awaiting my Eloy Boogie video from you guys. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I'm not going to give any advice on landing because: 1) I'm really not qualifed to give such advice. 2) I've never seen you land and don't know what issues you may have. But ... I do own a Sabre2 and I'm really happy with it. So much so that I'm getting myself another one very soon. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

The beer category refers to the number of cases of beer you either bought (for the firsts you did while skydiving) or at the very least the number of cases you owe (and hopefully will buy). It has nothing to do with the number of drinks you consumed. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over