freeflybella

And while you're at it, go ahead and get that nose hair, too. We can take our cats and dogs shedding - but c'mon, our boyfriends, too? Don't we have enough cleaning to do?

If you feel your masculinity is at stake, try not to think of it as grooming... think of it as lengthening. And as long as you don't go too short, no one will ever know.

He's right. Hey Brian, how come we've never met? Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Looks like the slot is open! Any takers? Let's start calling out those who are now taking the discipline to the next level - who are the next 'clowns' to watch? Or become? Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Back in the day of the Fayard $10 CASA Boogie (1995-6): I started jumping at a Northeast DZ that operated out of a (non-working) Wonder bread truck, with a dry erase manifest board and picnic table - out in the landing area! (Great student gear, otter, awesome instructors - airport/farmer McNasty issues) Those bastards (me included) were out there every weekend jumping - blazing hot or bitter cold. We were allowed to drive our cars out into the landing area so we could sit in them with the heat on in between loads! They even jumped/packed in the snow! Eventually the place closed for good and myself and about 12 others around my age and skill level traveled as a pack that whole summer, up and down the entire east coast following the $10 CASA Boogie - usually one every weekend! Anyway, the dedication and love of the sport, plus the incredible commeraderie of that tight group of people is something I've never experienced before or since. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

(lone tear rolling down smiling face) Is this where we hug?

I'm so confused. How did I jump on you? Not only did I not reply to your post - I only agreed with another who said Aria and Babylon kick ass! My other comment was generally directed.... OH WAIT! I get it now. You thought I was attaching my post to JankyBob in response to you! Seriously, my bad. I understood your and was not directing anything at all to you. (sincere emoticon) Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

HUH?? While I'll admit/agree that 'G' is a super cool girl who obviously has a healthy perspective on the subject- she gets a buttsmooch and I get a 'chill out'? hmm...where's vertifly... Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Absolutely!

I just watched it last night... I agree totally. No matter where you stand on either side of any issue, using propaganda and sensationalism will only dilute your message. How can you really get interested or involved when you feel manipulated into certain emotions? Most incredibly...the front of the box has a quote from a reviewer that reads, "Hilarious!" Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Hey, hey, hey there....dude! >>So difficult to bust chops on forums nowadays...

What a constructive post from Vertifly! There are freeflyers out there pushing the limits of their imagination that are including the belly-to-earth orientation in more (if not most) of the dives. My point was that the term freefly includes the belly-to-earth position. We don't call a jump that includes sitflying and headdown flying a hybrid. Within the next few generations of skydivers, there will eventually be no one who has gotten into the sport without knowing what freefly is - and maybe by then there won't be a distinction between belly and freefly (except maybe in competition categories). I'm not saying I don't know what a hybrid dive is - I'm saying that the evolution of the discipline may make the term obsolete. Anyway, props to those who have the vision. ps. Thanks, Zen.

I believe the term hybrid is becoming obsolete. More and more, freeflying is becoming what it's always been described as - flying your total body on every axis. The term hybrid means a cross between 2 different things, and in reality, whether you're on your belly or your head - you can still be freeflying. And wouldn't it be great if the term freefly became obsolete? If there were no distiction between RW and VRW? What if we all just fly? Anyway, it's beautiful to see what people come up with when they think beyond what's known. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Do you guys have glowsticks/strobes or should we pick them up before hand?*** Don't you worry, there are enough party supplies for everyone. Just make sure you bring some kind of lighting device for your alti. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Just say no to this thread! Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

...And the fact that the discussion deteriorated to a pissing contest. And one where the women who tried to join the discussion were summarily ignored. I agree (judy

Monkeyclaw just got brand-new gorgeous suits and pants from DaKine - email Stuey or Adam... Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

You're point about is exactly the origin of my question. Once off AFF, you need to maintain the ability to get stable from any position, fall straight down (whether on your belly, feet or head), be altitude aware and perfect your track. Regardless of whether you're on your belly or learning to freefly, you shouldn't be doing anything more than a solo or 2-way until those first things are second-nature. And to be honest, it's much easier to look around the sky from a sit position than a belly position. To tell someone that they 'should' stay on their belly for a few hundred jumps before getting off of it doesn't make sense to me. You're more confident that you can recover from 'unstable' positions as well as being free to play in the air. Safety is a HUGE factor - again, falling straight down, learning to track, being altitude aware, knowing your flight line, etc. THOSE are the basics. Our dz requires students to do 2 freefly jumps from USPA rated freefly coaches and 3 Skydive U. jumps as part of an extended AFF program (level 8) - they learn about freefly friendly gear, speed differences, suggestions on progression to jumping with others, etc. And then they do a backflying jump and a sit/track jump. I guess I'm just curious how other dzs represent freefly and the general thought process. Personally, I didn't start freeflying until I had 250 jumps - but that was 7 years ago. I hadn't even 'heard' of freefly until I saw AK Jon and Mike Swanson at Sebastian. It was pretty brand-new. But I've been around a dz with tons of freeflyers and part of a freefly school (not a coach) for 5 years now - and I know that if were just starting in the sport, I'd be on my back, my feet, my head and my knees right from the start! And would be encouraged to do so! I also hope that no one mistakes "freeflying" with "freeflying with others". Go do a bunch of solos - you're still freeflying! Just make yourself safe before you subject anyone else to your ability, no matter what your discipline. (One caveat: the higher speeds in a vertical position require that you should get 'some' coaching at the start.) I would just hate to think that someone out there who wanted to 'learn' to really fly didn't feel like they could. At whatever level. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

I'm curious to know why - collectively speaking - you think it it's better to stay on your belly awhile before getting off of it? edited: 'awhile' meaning anything beyond falling stable straight down and perfecting your track Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Call or email the people you admire. I'm not joking, this sport is young and progressive enough that you can just talk to those who are DOING it. Most are willing to talk theory if not give some sort of general advice. Good luck.

YES, YES, YES!! Firefly and the Sugar Gliderz kick ass! (I jump Firefly, too) but at 300 jumps and not on a dedicated freefly team, this chica needs advice on what suit is best for her. I'm 5'2" and weigh around 110 lbs. At our size you have to be aggressive and know how best to fly a small body at max speed (in order to know your full range). All I'm saying is a freefly suit will grab air. Do some solos or one on ones where you totally experience your body in full flight - know what it is to really max out, then work backward from there. There is no reason why you can't jump with the biggest of freefly f*©kers out there! Just don't rely on a suit. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

I'd suggest flying without a suit for awhile. Wear leggings/tights and a tight shirt. All a suit will ever do for you is grab air. Of course people wear them for fashion, but mainly they help regulate and control fallrates. If you're maxing out just to keep up - lose the suit. Of course, make sure you're learning good body position as well - eventually you'll be able to fly in anything. If you have to resort to weights...get smaller friends!!! Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

absolutely right darling. innocent until proven guilty. not saying anything to the contrary. sucks for him that he's the celebrity and she can hide behind non-celeb status. however false allegations are not as common as one would think. she has to know going in that she will be put in the public eye AND put under the microscope since he has such a sparkling reputation. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

please respond...someone... this is the most interesting thread in awhile.... Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Just a mere woman's opinion... it's called integrity. whether it's the law, the public eye, the adult's bedroom, the marriage vows...it's still integrity. you lie, you hurt people. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi