benny

Ha! yeah, my bad, Denzel... i figured that one out about 10 seconds afte i posted... Never go to a DZ strip show.

Sure ya couldn't convince your friend to donate that rig?? Seriously though, there is a classifieds section, I think it's pretty straightfoward to place an ad. Never go to a DZ strip show.

Which is the one with Denzel, Dropzone? I'm jonesin for some cheesy action flick. through in some skydiving and you've just made my day! Never go to a DZ strip show.

Hey now, I thought we were to save politics for other areas! Seriously, who am I to say but my guess is, stand up means don't fall. Never go to a DZ strip show.

I just can't wait to graduate AFF, I just hope I have enough cash to fund the blowout.... More things to steal from 7-11 I guess Never go to a DZ strip show.

I've only jumped twice and I know this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Now if I can only find the money to feed myself, pay for my training, and by a rig! My JM told me he robbed a convenience store to get his first rig. Every day which passes without jumping out of a plane, that 7-11 looks sweeter and sweeter... Never go to a DZ strip show.

damn focus groups Never go to a DZ strip show.

I think you have a point, however, the logic is circular. I think the past few years of "reality" tv has shown us that the public can be sold on just about anything. A few years back those other "extreme" sports weren't quite as popular. Hell, when I was in school skateboarders were laughed at, now it's the coolest thing for a kid to do. I don't think it just magically became popular... I think ESPN sold it to us with things like the x-games. Maybe the x-games should include swooping! Never go to a DZ strip show.

In an earlier thread someone asked about how fast the sport is growing... it seemed that most posters in that thread seemed to thinking growth was slowing. While I have no info on that, I do have a thought as to possible reasoning for a downward (no pun intended) trend: it seems to me that there are relatively few skydiving publications which are also of relatively low quality (when compared to other so-called "extreme" sports suck as rock climbing or even skateboarding). I'm new to the sport and very hungry for information, yet it took me tons of google searches before I even found this site. In addition, I have yet to see any material related to skydiving in any of several bookstores. Imagine how many people might be drawn to the sport if they could see some of the most beautiful images ever wrapped in a nice mag on a newsstand? It's a shame that the work of some very impressive camera fliers only sees a limited audience. Let me know what you think! Thanks and blue skies! Never go to a DZ strip show.

ok, so maybe my question was wrong, i mean, if we all eliminated as much risk as possible we'd all just stay in bed all day. But wait, then our bodies would simply atrophy and we'd waste away sooner than if we had taken some perceived risk. Oh well, damned if you do, damned if you don't I suppose. What do I know anyway, I don't. I'm just loving it. Blue skies! Never go to a DZ strip show.

If you're asking what the ground course is like, I can only speak from personal experience, although that experience is fresh in my mind as it was last Thursday. Basically you'll get an overview of the equipment and learn how to use it properly, and practice using it, before you get on the plane. Also expect to review emergency procedures, exit procedures, canopy control techniques. OK, there's definitely more but I'm tired of typing right now... someone else can take it from here. blue skies! Never go to a DZ strip show.

I'll be completing my level II soon as well (hopefully next week if the weather and my boss cooperate). Any tips on how to get the old ticker to slow down, aside from deep breaths (I was trying that and my heart still felt like it was about to leave my chest). Thanks and happy jumping to all! Never go to a DZ strip show.

I've only had two jumps, 1 tandem, 1 AFF, but I don't think I'll ever jump out of an airplane without a cypres in my rig. Just seems nuts to me, shit happens, why not take as much risk as possible out of the equation? I mean, we are jumping out of aircraft after all... Never go to a DZ strip show.

About six years ago i jumped out of a plane for the first time, a tandem, and it was a wonderful experience. However, the DZ, in west Tennessee, was nothing compared to this. After a few days of researching on the 'net about AFF programs, it was down to two DZs - Skydive Smoky Mountains or ASC - I chose ASC on the assumption that it might be just a little bit warmer further south. Well, it las a "little" bit warmer. When I got there at 9 am for my ground school the temp was a balmy 37 degrees! Fortunately by time to jump it had broken 50. I was pleased with my decision for many reasons other than the weather. First off, my ground school intructor, Stewart was excellent. He made me feel confident not only in his qualifications and capabilities, but also my own. Stewart's friendliness was indicative of everyone I encountered at the DZ, from the manifest to the guys who were just hanging out waiting to jump, everyone was friendly and seemed happy to welcome a new devotee to the sport. Even though I was the only one in the mood for food, Mike had no qualms about firing up a pre-jump burger for me at the cafe, and let me just say it was among the best burgers I've ever had. The facilities were great (we got to chill out and watch the Transporter in heated comfort while waiting for the clouds to break). Man, I'm babbling. What more can I say, I love this place. I'm planning on doing my AFF II there sometime within the next week and a half. I'll definitely stay there for the AFF and look forward to jumping with these guys for years to come. Thanks again to Stewart and Johann, you guys rock!