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Everytime I think about my next jump in detail my heart beats faster! I'm obviously just a newbie at all this, but theres a certain something about skydiving that you need to overcome mentally to be able to do it. I've found thinking about it less, and actually getting up there and doing it is what gets you past that feeling. Of course the more you think about it, the more you are going to intensify those feelings and continue to back away. Stop thinking and start doing. That, or listen to someone with more than 8 jumps. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

That's probably the best advice anyone could give you right now! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I live in Australia aswell, so I know you're frustration with wind tunnels. Theres a wind tunnel in NZ, which is kinda close (well, close compared to the US!). I've heard its pretty good. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I've become pretty good friends with someone at the dz who is happy to jump with me straight off AFF, which I am really looking forward to because he's a friend now, and jumping with a friend is going to be so much fun! Luckily, he also has his instructor rating, so we wont run into any problems with the DZO jumping together. Hes also going to jump with me on my next AFF stage and film it, for free which will also be awesome since I couldnt afford to have any other cameraman there. I told him he needs to stay away from me in freefall though, in case I do weird shit, his response was "I'll be outta your way before you even know where you're heading!". Good. I know a lot of people wont want to jump with someone straight off AFF or even with 30 jumps, but it is definately good when someone comes forward and says they'de be happy to jump with you regardless of experience. More jumpers should be like that! (But I can understand why a lot aren't too!) www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

In that "hanging about" time you can learn so much just by talking to other skydivers around you. Today, for example, I spent a good 6 hours at the dz and didnt even get to jump (low clouds that never lifted) but I chatted to so many different people all day and learnt so much. Last sunday I spent the day learning to pack after they stopped putting loads up due to high winds. I think hanging around the dz before and after jumps is half the fun......skydivers are such great people! Hang in there with your AFF - you'll get the turns, and until then, each jump is more experience for you. I know how expensive it is, I just repeated stage 7, but when it comes down to it, I'd rather repeat and be confident about going to the next stage, than pass the stage and feel like I shouldnt have (which has happened to me twice!). I found turns hard at first too, and something that really really helped me was practicing on the ground, actually lying down on the ground, because I found when i stood up on the ground in an arch position I ended up doing the wrong thing for a turn. If you're already lying on the ground (or a table!) to practice, keep it up, because it really does help (in my experience). Good luck! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I have done 7 solos now, and still havent stood one up. Everyone laughs at me when I eat dirt on landing. I'll get it one day! Congrats Cajundude! Have fun! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

The days of glutany have to be over - you're skydiving now! Money has never been much of an issue for me. I dont hate it, I dont love it, it is just what makes the world go round, and I was completely comfortable in my world. Now that I am skydiving money means a whole lot more to me. I make do with what I can earn by myself, and actually enjoy the challenge of working so hard for the money for my next jump (it makes me see how much I really want to skydive). When things are easy I end up questioning if its something I really want or something I do simply because I can do it. One of my closest friends is a prostitute, she easily earns my weekly wage in 1 day, even though I would be able to jump LOTS more often with that sort of money, I could never do it. So, money to me is a means to an end, and its not important enough to make me forget what really matters. I'm here for the experiences in life, and basically to enjoy myself, money is just something which helps me be what I want to be. Having said that......... I could always use more! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I know exactly how you feel! I did AFF7 yesterday, and failed it unfortunately, but it was my favourite jump yet! I went into 3 front layouts just after exit which was so much fun, when I pulled out of it I turned around and found my JM and just laughed, she was laughing too. My Backflips were awesome, but tracking proved to be too much for my mind to think of at that point. It was my first exit from a cessna too (we usually use a skyvan). As soon as I landed I went to manifest to try to get on another load (because I am usually at the dz on weekends and they dont use the cessna on weekends, and I wanted to get another jump from it straight away!), but they werent putting anymore loads up. I had lunch with one of the experienced guys after it, and he was laughing at me because I'm so hooked. He said I remind him of how he was when he first started skydiving. Sitting in the car I just said "ugh...... 4 whole days until my next jump". He just laughed. Good luck with it, I'm sure theres plenty more fun to come (I cant wait for be finished with AFF!). I've realised now that I'm not going to have any money for a very long time, and the funny thing is, I wouldnt have it any other way right now. This is definately the best thing I have ever been a part of! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

Thats horrible! I think the best thing to do is find out who she is. Surely someone at the dz saw her go into the toilets, she must've walked in in a hurry too from what you said about her behaviour. I'd be asking lotsa questions, and when you find out who it was, I'd be asking her lotsa questions. On the other hand, if she had a real problem with you she would let you know who she was, because she'd want you to know to stay away from her. I think she's all talk, and I know you're not worried about her as such, but try not to feel anxious about the situation. Sounds like you have a lot of friends at the dz, sounds like she knows that too since shes not willing to reveal her identity. I'm sure you're well protected, and if it makes you feel better have your friends walk you to your car until you feel safe and comfortable again. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I was speaking to a guy at the dz about this, because I really want to get into freeflying more than any other style (once I get my A). He has almost 800 jumps and didnt start freeflying until about 700 jumps and said I should do the same. I didnt like the sound of this, because its going to be years until I have that many jumps (I cant wait that long!), but we talked about it and I decided I wouldnt start freeflying until I have 200 jumps (excluding the odd jump here and there). The main reason for this was to get really good at flat flying. He was saying he knows a lot of freeflyers who are really bad flat fliers and basically cant be involved in RW jumps simply because they dont have the experience flying like that and never put time into making themselves better in that area. So, I guess thats also something to think about, but at the same time, I can see how getting unstable whilst attempting to freefly could also help improve a different area of your skydiving. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

About an hour and 15 minutes if I go straight there and dont pick up friends on the way. I'll get the number of km's tomorrow - I am taking the day off work to jump, cant wait. Went out there yesterday but it was so windy most of the experienced jumpers werent even jumping, so I had no chance, but I spent the day learning to pack, so now my hands/arms and even legs are sore from packing again and again and again, but I am confident with it now! Yes, I know I have a tendency to go off on a tangent! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

Edited this because I'm an idiot and forgot which forum I was looking at www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I cant watch the video - got a crappy computer. But on the subject of stomping grapes - I actually went to court as a witness to a lady slipping on a grape and "hurting herself". She was trying to sue my boss (i worked at a fruit shop) and was claiming things like nightmares and councelling bills and equally funny stuff. I told them she was lying basically - yes, she slipped on the grape, no she didnt fall right over and scream in pain as she said she did. She lost the case. Dont slip on a grape around me......I'm watching. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

Actually, Australia is just as good as america. We give a lot to other countries in need, have cheaper health care and nicer beaches. America has better chocolate bars though! Now, to the guy who doesnt care, I've been in the "i dont care place" before, its not a good place to be, and takes a while to get out of. Good luck to you. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I always have been an organ donor. I like the idea that if I die I can still help other people, makes it seem more like I didnt die for nothing I guess. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

Ugh, now I want krispy kreme's! I was supposed to stop there on monday on the way home from the dz with my friend, but we ended up leaving at different times, so no doughnuts were had. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

It's 10:30pm here. I have to work at 7am, I really should go to bed soon. Hmm. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

One of my friends had to go for her reserve last weekend on AFF 7. When she pulled the ripcord it got caught and would not release the main, she did really well though. I almost had to go for my reserve last weekend on AFF 6, couldnt find the ripcord at pull time. I ended up pulling at 2,500' which is way too low for me at the moment. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

Ahh it all makes sense now! Thanks for explaining it to me gus, the drawings were beautiful by the way - you earnt every bit of the teachers gold star! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I cant watch the video cause I have a crappy computer. On a similar note, I had my worst landing yet on sunday, and that's pretty hard considering I still havent stood up a landing yet. Before the jump I was talking to the guy who ended up being my TA, and he knew I really wanted to have my first stand up landing, so as hes bringing me in, I flared, was near the ground so he yells "now run!!!" so I start kicking my legs mid air, trying to run, feet hit the ground, I trip and face plant. I got up laughing my ass off, and he comes over laughing and simply says "well, it was a nice face plant anyway!". Later, an experienced skydiver asked me how my landing went because he didnt get to watch it (and knew i was really trying to stand it up this time), my first thought was 'thank god he missed it!'. Next time I'll get it right! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

If I died, I'd be annoyed. I'd be pretty pissed off if I got any injury from skydiving, (actually I got cut on the wrist a couple of weeks ago from the ripcord!) but any injury that stopped me skydiving and was just a general pain in the ass, like fractured bones or muscle tears etc. This is all new to me, I dont have time to be injured dammit! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

Just reading through some old threads and this one brought up a few questions, since I have just started learning about all this stuff. Can someone explain what the results of a bag dump and a line dump would be and what actions would need to be taken? The way I am picturing it, i am thinking both would just make the opening of the canopy slower, but obviously this is wrong if one of them is a "huge deal". Thanks. www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I have 7 jumps. Been doing this for almost a month. Friends are already feeling a tad put out because I am never free on weekends, and when I am free I dont have any money to do anything anyway! Last weekend I cancelled a couple of hours before a free cruise with free unlimited alcohol because I wanted to jump the following day (aswell as that day!) and didnt want to have a huge night. Needless to say, my friends were unimpressed, but I had an awesome day jumping the following day! I've sold 1/4 of my cd collection already and have another 25 cds ready to sell as soon as I can get to the store. I am planning on either re-financing my car or getting a seperate loan to pay for a rig. Hate to see what I'll be sacrificing once I really get hooked after a few hundred jumps! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

Myabe he was trying to tell you your dress was caught in the door www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

I think you should definately do a tandem first. Theres a lot to think about and concentrate on during AFF1 and with a tandem you just lay there and take it all in, no worries. One of my friends did her first tandem on the weekend, and hated it. I feel bad for encouraging her to do it, but her ears hurt the whole way down, in her video she is scared shitless and shaking her head the whole way, yelling "no" over and over. So, in light of her experience, do a tandem first, its more relaxing, and will at least give you an idea of what freefall is really like. Lastly, good luck with your first jump, whatever you choose! www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store