hoboknife

So I did my first jump in 1999 at the DZ shown alongside Spaceland. I did 7 jumps there and quit because I ran out of money and took up the sport a couple years ago. So I got to start learning again at a different DZ which was much more modern. Both time were very different experiences. For the 99 experience, since it was so small, I essentially hours of 1 on 1 training with the DZO, who had been jumping for 30 years. Most times, I was the only person there, and I got lots of practice and very thorough debriefs on ways for improvement. That being said, even as someone new to the sport, I was scared shitless of his gear and definitely his 182s. I was also highly aware of the gigantic power lines running down the side of the landing area. But, I jumped there anyway and everything worked out fine. Now move on to my AFF experience where my AFF instructor would come off a tandem, spend about 5 minutes worth of dirt diving, we go do the jump, and I get about 2 to 3 minutes of debrief before he has to go do another tandem. DZ was really nice though, gear was good, I just wasn't the number one game in town. Quality of instruction was poorer, but since I was 30 years old when I came back, I tended to approach things with a lot more thought and caution than I did as an 18 year old. Studied the SIM a lot, came on these forums, watched videos, etc. I guess what I'm trying to say is even if a DZ looks like shit, doesn't mean it's horrible. Just because a DZ looks slick, doesn't mean it's the best. And finally, you can also learn a lot about a DZ through this website.

I've had my A license for about 6 months now. I work a lot, so I don't get to the DZ very often. I'm nearing 60 jumps and have yet to jump with anyone else that wasn't a coached jump. Luckily, jumping by myself is still an awesome experience, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of jumping out of an air plane. That being said, there is definitely a gap between my skill level and what the regulars are doing there. What they're normally working on that day isn't something I'd even bother asking to be a part of because I know I couldn't do it. It's also worth mentioning that if your DZ is a tandem factory that seems more annoyed by fun jumpers than anything else (which doesn't make sense), and you routinely get bumped to the next load or even several loads down the line and you wait for hours to get up in the air, I can see why people get turned off from it. And for most of us, the DZ you go to is the only one it makes sense to go to on a routine basis, so if you don't like the one you go to, you're kind of screwed. But, like others have said, none of it really matters if you love it.

Just felt like sharing. My last jump was Easter of this year. I've owned a pink bunny suit for about 6 or 7 years now. It was an innebriated buy, but I've got no regrets. Anyway, given the holiday, I decided to wear it. My first jump in my pink bunny suit was also my first time spotting. No coincidence, this was also my first time landing off. Also my first time visiting the polo field that's about a half mile from the DZ. Luckily there wasn't a match going on. Just some bemused owners who probably get a visitor every now and then, although none in a bunny suit. Also, some confused dogs. Finally, first time hitch hiking. Sometimes, there just aren't enough beers to cover a jump like that. I'd love to hear a similar story, if you got one.