papax17

Congrats on the new rig but...How could you tell us how nice she is without posting a pic? You got some nerve!

This is a pretty crazy video I happened to stumble across. I dont think its posted on skydivingmovies.com but I could be wrong. Basically a skydiver jumped out of one plane...flies to another and climbs in. Pretty amazing. It looked like Jeb Corliss was there too.

It looks like I will be visiting some DZ's over the next couple of weeks.

Damn I am so pumped to start AFF....

Something I did when I was starting (June 2005) was to go to the dropzone just to hang out and ask a few questions and check it out in general. I went to two places near me and ended up at the second one; the vibe was a lot better there and so far I haven't regretted it. I realize this is a little harder for you to do until it warms up a bit, but you can hit one DZ on Saturday and the other on Sunday and see what you think. Eule Hang out at the DZ eh? People wont be like "what the fuck is clown doin around here?" When I said Tri-State area I meant New york, New Jersey and Conetticuit. Sorry if I wasnt very specific.

Thanks for the replies fellas. I appreciate it. Right now I'm stuck between Sussex and the Ranch. I just gotta do some soul searching I suppose. thanks papa

Yea I looked through the book and they had a list of things that werent covered. At the bottom of the list of things that werent covered there was fine italic print that said "this is not a complete list..." So I went and called the insurance company and they did a lot of research and found nothing on dangerous activities and said they would call me back and never did.

Well I will be doing AFF during my spring break in around the middle of March. I have done my first 2 jumps at Cross Keys and I like it a lot there but it is almost a 3 hour drive from my house (I dont mind driving a while longer if one dropzone is safer then the other). I did read most of the DZ.com reviews but I'm sure there are many people who have not shared their experiences. So I suppose my question is what are some of your experiences at Tri-State dropzones. Are there some I should be wary of? What should I look for in a DZ other then the USPA membership. Thanks in advance

Yea I wasnt sure if I should do taht because I wasnt sure if that was reason enough for them to raise my insurance. I called them and slowly got into the "hazardous hobby" questions. They couldnt give me a straight up yes or no on the coverage so they took my # and said they would call me back. From the looks of it so far it looks like I will most likely be covered but I want to be sure god forbid anything was to happen.

Well I finnally get to start AFF in March at Cross Keys. I havent signed up for it or anything yet but I finnally got the o.k. from my parents which was very important to me. I know it sounds lame and all but I dont think I could done if I felt guilty about jumping. Anyway...I know ever since the Shaina Richards incident there has been huge concerns about health insurance...and rightfully so. I am covered for health insurance under my mothers policy she gets through her employer but I am afraid skydiving injuries might not be covered. What is the best way to go about checking up on this? Should I call them and just plain ask? I was reading over the policy the other night and I didnt see anything about extreme sports or high risk activities but I know when it comes to this kind of stuff there is a lot of fine print and catches. The closest thing I saw to skydiving was that you were not covered if you were riding a motorcycle without a helmet and got injured. If I am not covered are there simple policies I can buy for myself that have good coverage but doesnt have a rediculous price tag? I know there have been many posts about this and I did a search but I am not getting very good results. Thanks in advance papa

That helmet looks baddd asssss(in a good way).

You did what you had to do to stay alive. You had a situation and did what you had to do to hit the ground at a safe speed. It would probably be more embarassing going in It's better to hear the story from you then the incidents forum. You learned from your experience and wont do it again. Thats what matters.

Complete AFF

It's sad that this has happened but if someone is generous to donate to her medical bills then I dont see the problem, but thats me. She made a mistake and I'm sure she regrets it and it seems that some people are trying to rub her face in the dirt for making a mistake any other person in the skydiving community could have made. I am trying not to take sides, but in this case I think people really need to think about the situation and not kick someone while their down. Do you really think she wants to beg for help? Stay safe out there guys

I came across that video a week or two ago. Probably one of the best skydiving videos I have seen.

I like that path that Bill Booth is taking towards skydiving. There needs to be more individuals in this sport like him. I appreciate everything that he has done to make skydiving safer. I have nothing but respect and confidence in bill booth and I know when I buy a rig I know it is going to be a vector with a skyhook.

I like the fact that she wants to jump again.

I read a post on here a while ago about a DZ(europe?) that sold a bulk package to a RW (could be wrong) team. In the end he owner of the DZ screwed them and skipped town with their money, leaving them short thousands. I am not exactly the best person to ask but I am sure you asked at the right place. Make sure you do all your homework when it comes to this DZ. Thats really all the advice I can give you. best of luck

Tell your dad that skateboarding is also considered an extreme sport. If I were you I would definately bring them to a DZ and let them just watch and see how professional skydivers, and instructors actually are, and how they are not some rampant wreckless fools. If I brought my parents to the DZ they would be completely surprised when they see the people who are actually jumping ie Retirees, mother and daughters etc... Also if you got a tandem video that helps a lot too. When your parents see it, it should warm them up a little bit more to the sport seeing you having the time of your life and how much fun it is. My tandem video helped, but I am still working on the parentals. Good luck

I'm sorry that question was directed to superman. I am almost 100% positve I was standing next to him yesterday when he was waiting for the chopper.

Tracking was siicck. I cant wait until I complete aff and I can to do it myself and really experience what a good track is.

Was this at cross keys yesterday at like 6:30? I am pretty sure I was standing right next to you when you were waiting for the chopper.

Well I just did my second tandem today with my friend and it was awesome. I was talking to my instructor about how I was planning on taking AFF and all, so he decided to show me how to track and it was a lot of fun. He said my body position was actually really good, and I had a good pull. We jumped the otter, and it was much less roomier then the sky van but I'm not complaining I cant wait to get my aff done and really get into the sport.

Wow, Bill Booth is a real jerk for making amazing innovations that probably have taken years of dedication to get done, and then on top of that charge a little money for them. Now on a serious note, if RW said "its stupid not to get a skyhook look how many people died.." ( no disrespect at all to the people who have lost their lives) then I'm sure the majority of the skydiving community would side with the author of the post who started this thread. I dont see how RW is hoarding the technology at all. Look at the 3 ring system. Anyway. I have nothing but respect for Mr. Booth and for his genuine dedication and concern for the safety of skydivers. Because of that I know I am going to save every penny I can and buy a RW rig with a skyhook after AFF. I believe in Mr. Booth and all of RW. just my 2 cents

The key to a good reduce 90% of backpain is to develop a well trained strong midsection. You dont have to have a six pack or anything like that...but make sure you do some crunches, sit ups, leg lifts etc... This should work well, but do not overtrain the abs either or they will be very sore and it will be counter productivel.