SDiver218

I just started jumping recently (should finish my A requirements next weekend), so I can relate well to this question. I've been a student at Z-Hills for the last 5 weeks (or is it 6?), and so far everyone has been extremely friendly. The staff and the regular jumpers have been great, and have done a lot to make me feel included. But keep in mind that I've been spending all of my weekends there, and making sure I stay into the night so I can drink with these folks. I'm not just a student who shows up for a couple of jumps and then leaves. For the last month and a half, I've been there at 8 am sharp (after an hour drive to get there) waiting for the first load, and not leaving until after sunset (and a few beers). Hell...when I first started we had some bad weather over the weekend, and I stuck it out for a good 23/24 hours (13 on Sat, 10 or so on Sun) so I could jump...and I only was able to get one in. My point is, it can be hard to meet people if you don't put in the time, no matter how friendly the DZ is. You can't blame them, since it seems like there are always new people coming and going. But even if you aren't getting the best vibe, just suck it up and put in your time. Eventually they'll come around. You just have to prove that you're willing to sacrifice the time (and money), like they did when they first got addicted to jumping. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

I just finished my AFF a couple of weeks ago (and will will be getting my A next weekend!!!), and here's what I paid. AFF 1 - $270 AFF 2-3 $180 each AFF 4-7 $150 each 5 coach jumps - $80 each solos - $38 ($18 for jump ticket, $20 for gear) BTW, those are Z-Hills prices. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Yep....just like Muenkel said. My instructor told me to keep the thought "Dick to dirt" in the back of my head when trying to arch. (think Ron Jeremy, however gross that thought might be...) I thnk a problem a lot of us guys have when starting is that we tend to tense up, particularly in the chest area (its a macho thing, I know...). One of the best pieces of advice I've had so far was to relax into your arch, just let in settle in as opposed to fighting into it. That piece of advice has helped my arches tremendously so far. Of course, take my advice with a boulder of salt, as I'm still a student like you are. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Thanks to everybody for their advice and experiences in regards to AFF training. It helped quite a bit, especially just knowing what to expect. Anyway, did my first AFF jump this last weekend. And let me tell you...it was money! (for those of you who saw the movie Swingers) One of the best things I've ever done. Spent most of Saturday in training, was taught quite a bit during that time. In fact, my back is still sore from all the arching I had to do that day. I was also schooled on the DZ's beer rules (they take their beer seriously). Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, I was only able to make one jump this weekend, although I was at the DZ for a total of about twenty hours hoping for some blue skies. Let's hope it clears up next weekend so I could finish out the rest of my AFF jumps. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Okay...fine. I'll admit it. But I was was in college and I needed the money. Are you happy now? In my defense, no animals were harmed in the production of these movies. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Great!!! Now I'm the 'porn guy' on the board. Lol...Definitely not the impression I wanted to make! Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

I believe the proper term for that would be a 'hot carl'. Not that I would know....I just heard.... Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

I hear there's a tunnel in Orlando, which isn't far from me...I think I'll have to check it out. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Go read the original post. This wasn't a question or a poll of who has or has not stopped skydiving. It was simply a question posited towards ***current skydivers*** who have kids. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

I've had that one with my ex-wife already. We have 2 sons. But she couldnt make me stop when we were still married, she cant now either. Does she think I'm being irrisponsible? Yep. Can I change her thinking? Nope. The other side of the coin is that I'm always there for my kids. I pay my support regularly and she never had to fight to get it. I pay more than a court would require and I do so not because anyone else tells me I should. I do it because its my moral responsibility to support my children. I go to all school functions, I talk to them on the phone several time a week and I see them every weekend even when I dont have them with me I go for a quality time visit to their house. My boys KNOW that they are important to me and that I love them. They never have to wonder. As long as you are a good, responsible father to your son, spend lots of quality time, you dont shortchange your ex-wife on support so you can make more jumps, and dont blow your son off in favor of going to the DZ, then keep on jumping. As long as you have your priorities in order, there is no shame in making yourself happy too. Thanks for the input. It sounds like we're in very similar situations. I see my son whenever I can, usually in the summers and on school breaks since he's out of state (she's in the USAF so she moves every few years)...or I'll just fly up to spend some quality time with him. Talk to him every night, and do all that I can for him. You make some good points, and I guess you could look at skydiving from the context that its actually not as unsafe as most people would think, provided that you make it safe. I'm sure that it can provide some intangible benefits to kids too. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Thanks for the input. I'm just waiting for the inevitable conversation with my exwife when she brings up the fact that I shouldn't be skydiving, when we have a 6 year old son together. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

I have a son, and I started thinking about this just the other day. Does the practise of skydiving when you have children an act of irresponsibility? If so, why?...and if not, then why not? What benefits to your kids can you provide through skydiving? This question goes out to those who actually have kids, because I think that if you don't have one, its hard to relate (like skydiving, unless you've done it you don't know what its like). At this point I'm not sure one way or the other, so I thought I'd get some perspective from those of you who I am sure have had these thoughts before. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Sorry if this question is already covered elsewhere, but I noticed a posting on Travel Insurance, and it got me to thinking. I'm very new to skydiving, but I'm definitely interested in doing it as much as humanly possible. My only concern is this...I have a young son, and the last thing I want is to have something happen to me and leave him high and dry. So my question is this...Does anybody have any advice with regards to insurance that will cover skydiving related accidents? My question applies to both life and medical. If insurance is available, is it prohibitively expensive? Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

OMG....That's friggin hilarious. My advice is, if you have a problem with your Primary Instructor, wait until you get on the ground before you clock him. Brawling in freefall may not be the safest thing in the world to do...Hahaha Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Jesus Christ...this guy's trying to make a joke and your all over his ass. WTF? Whether he fits in or not, he obviously doesn't care if he's stuck with it for as long as he has. Learn to take a joke and quit looking for something to bitch about. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Thanks for the tips. I'm glad to hear that other people on this board besides myself are going through the AFF process also. I'll post how how my jumps go, both the good and bad... Wish me luck! Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

Hello everybody!!! To start off, I'm very new to the sport. I've done a few static line jumps a few years back, and just never got around to going through the AFF program. Well, last weekend I did a tandem at Skydive City (Z-Hills, FL), and it was friggin money! I loved it, so as soon as landed I signed up for the AFF course and I'm starting this weekend. Now I'm sitting here at work, and my productivity is shot all to hell because all I can think about is skydiving. I got to thinking...What is the AFF experince really like? Of course I talked to the instructors, and I've read a few things in this forum, but I was wondering what the members of this site have to say on this subject. So this question goes out to everybody, newbies and veterans alike. What was your AFF experience like, (bad or good)? Any advice? If the members on this forum won't mind, I'll probably post my experiences as I go through it. BTW...this site is hands down the most informative sites I've found on the sport. Good job! Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal