CanuckInUSA

I'm no expert, but the secret is to relax and a good arch will happen (or at least you'll be relaxed enough to interpret you JMs hand signals). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I also found that the jumps I've done on my AFF are a lot quieter than my tandem jump, because during the tandem jump I wasn't wearing anything on my noggin while during the AFF I'm required to wear a helmet (which vastly cuts down the wind noise). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Do they have an AFF course? If so, you should get in on that instead. It's my understanding that the AFF is better. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Great pics and I'm glad you liked my adopted state. I hope the forrest fires didn't scare anyone away (they didn't seem to scare you guys). Did you guys get up very high on the mountains? I'm used to the altitude here (I hike and climb 14ers numerous times in a season), but for sea-level creatures it can do a number on you. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Good point. But that's more likely to happen on a Level II jump and subsequent jump as there's a full day of ground school to get through on the first day before the Level I jump occurs. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

This question is sort of related to this topic. As a student/novice skydiver, I can't help but find myself researching what might be the best first canopy for when it's time to buy a rig (I'm thinking of getting serious in the September/October/November time frame). Now I will be checking out the used markets, but if I don't find something I like, I will buy new. I say this because I haven't been all that impressed with what I've seen on the local as well as internet used markets for a relatively big guy like myself (I weigh about 205-210 lbs). But I've also only been looking for a couple of weeks, so I shouldn't be too judgemental. Of course I'm getting off track here. So here's the question: At first I was thinking that a Spectre in the 210 to 230 size range would be a good first canopy, and then I was thinking that a Sabre 2 once again in the 210 to 230 size range would be good. But now (based on it's easier packing characteristics), I'm thinking that the Triathlon 220 would be good (it's size is also in between the 210s and 230s). Now the Spectre and Triathlon must be somewhat similar in their handling characteristics as both are 7 cells while the Sabre 2 is a 9 cell. And if I understand what has been said here, the Spectre (and I would assume the Triathlon) will have steeper glideslopes on short final, but the Sabre 2 will have a faster swoop (not that these are HP swoopers). And as long as I stay in the 1.0 to 1.1 wing loading range I would assume that I'm not getting myself into something that's over my head. So how do people feel about the Spectre, Sabre 2 and Triathlons? From what I've been reading, they all seem to be marketed as good novice to intermediate canopies. Am I mistaken? PS: Dang this software developer job of mine is brutal. It pays very well (hence the reason why buying a new rig doesn't scare me), but all I've been doing is working all week long trying to get our product out the door. Of course thinking about skydiving isn't helping. Back to the coal mines, my build should be done ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Hey Marteen I couldn't help but notice that you're in Calgary. I have strong ties to that fair city (I own a house in Edgemont and have family and friends there), but have been living and working in Colorado for the last 4 1/2 years. There's a DZ is Didsbury right? How long is the jump season in Alberta? Of course I guess that would depend on ones cold-to-pain threshold. Believe it or not, as long as I don't mind a little cold (and it really doesn't get cold here in Colorado compared to Alberta), I can jump all year long here.

I'm there with you bro. Well not physically in the same location, but weather permitting I'll be doing my Level V jump tomorrow instead of being at work. Hey the way I see it, I'm saving myself $50 (the cancellation fee my DZ charges people) and getting to jump at the same time (I was hoping to take the entire day off and jump 2-3 times, but it looks like I'll only be absent from work in the morning and get 1 jump in). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I thought so, but that's assuming they want to jump against right? I know of people who have been tandem jump passengers and they don't seem to want to jump any more. So those people must be still Whuffos. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

So when is a Whuffo no longer a Whuffo? 1) After their first tandem jump? 2) After their first AFF/Static jump? 3) When they are off student status? Enquiring minds want to know ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

That was cool ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Be safe, have fun and enjoy your beer.

Now that's a different story and way too cool (you will shed your WHUFFO skin). Be a sponge, ask questions, relax and have fun. I did my Level I & II jumps two weeks ago, my Level III & IV jumps last weekend and I'm hoping that maybe just maybe I can get my Level V, VI & VII jumps done this weekend. But I fear the boss will be asking me to work this weekend as the WHUFFO computer geeks would rather pound keyboards than play. Still looking forward to the day I can cut away from work and just play. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I'm jealous as I'm stuck at work (spending way too many hours try to get the product out the door). But have fun on your vacation. I can't even ponder what it will be like to jump out of a jet. Have you done this before? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Will your first jump be a tandem jump or an AFF Level I jump? If it's just a tandem, then asking questions if good, but you're there to really just have fun and hopefully have so much fun that you'll want to jump again, and again, etc, etc, etc. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Totally ripped off? Buying on EBay? Buying used? Buying new? or all of the above ... please explain Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Do I have to say this again? I'm not looking to buy small equipment. I'm just saying that there seems to be a better selection of the used smaller stuff rather than the larger stuff a big novice like myself needs. Jeez, it's not like I have a death wish ... I'm still holding out hope that I can find a good used rig with a main in the 210-230 range, but at the same time I am also thinking that a new rig is also an option (sure it will hurt the bank account). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

No I was saying that the selection of available gear in the larger sizes was pretty limited compared to the smaller stuff. Maybe I wasn't being clear with my words, maybe I was. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

The selection of used gear also bites on ebay. So far DZ seems to have the best selection of used gear, which still isn't all that good for a relatively big guy like myself weighing in at 210 lbs. I might as well commit suicide if I was to buy a small canopy some where in the 100-130 size range. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Assuming I can take the time off of work, I'll be jumping out of my first Cessna this Friday morning. But I'm a licensed pilot who's endorsed to fly C-172s & C-182s, so it'll be my first jump, not my first time in a Cessna. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Oh by the way ... congrats on your first jump and from one newbie to another ... welcome to a new addiction. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Finding oneself at a crossroad in life is normal, so don't beat yourself up over it. At some point you will decided what road to take, but in the meantime there's nothing wrong with taking some time off to collect yourself. In November of 1989 at the age of 26, I was working for a small struggling startup computer software company who could hardly pay my salary and at the same time I was getting over a failed relationship. I was also a weekend volunteer ski patroller and low and behold there was one opening for a full-time pro ski patroller at the resort I worked at. For a few minutes I went through the usual thoughts of "I'm a software developer, not a ski bum". But luckily, I took a chance and accepted ski patrollers job (which paid crap compared to the computer job). But that turned out to be the best winter of my life and to this day I can still remember riding the chairlifts thinking to myself, "I could be stuck behind some desk right now, but instead I'm basking in the sun trying to decide what run to ski next". Wow ... what a winter that was. It was also the year that I became a real skier (it's hard not to get better when you ski seven days a week for five months). But more importantly it taught me to have a little fun yet still be accountable for some responsibilities and it did wonders for my mind and soul. I went into the winter as someone trying to struggle for an identity and I came out of it with an experience of a life time. Now if only I could cutaway from my current life and hang at a drop zone all day long. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Which would be essentially another Level III jump for your log book wouldn't it? I can understand the desire and possible need for a fun jump. And as long as one isn't all that concerned about $$$, then why not. I know while I'm not 100% happy with my Level IV jump, I won't be repeating it. I just need to learn from my experiences, try and relax (I consistently remember to do all of my maneuvers on my jumps, I just get through them fairly fast and seem to have extra time up there once the manuevers are completed). And I must remember to have fun. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

So what do you have tucked inside of that funky container? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Skiing has more fatalities than many would guess. In the early 90s I was a volunteer ski patroller for three years and a pro for one year up in Lake Louise Canada and it wasn't uncommon to have 4-6 fatalities/year at Lake Louise alone. Humans, trees and rocks just don't get along very well. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over