Baksteen

I don't see what the big deal is? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Valium. Great stuff, valium. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Have you ever heard the saying that "You get the children you deserve?" Well, there you are then. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

And here's me trying to avoid sentences like "you like to sleep at night". Lemme try again: Being able to block out the noise can be a Godsend. Especially if the plane is taking off less than fifty metres away while you're having a lie in for some reason, or if someone is "agreeing very emphatically with their newly found short-term activity partner". "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

And we're so modest too "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

1) statistics can be made to show whatever you want them to. 2) Skydiving and driving do have something in common; you can make either as unsafe as you want to. i.e. some kid getting a Lotus upon getting their licence, whether car or canopy - they're not ready. Either activity has inherent risks, it doesn't really matter which one offers the greatest risk of killing yourself. Just use your common sense so that you do not become a statistic. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Ear plugs. There comes a time during night or day that you'll want to close your eyes.

Good advice! The tunnel is an excellent way of "tasting" wwhether skydiving is for you. And despite what some people say, those skills do carry over, once you're past the differences between flying more or less stationary in a room and actually falling at 200 kph.

Why not? Everyone has their own subject they are passionate about, it's completely normal to bug friends with stories about it. Inadequate my descriptions may be, but my friends know it means a lot to me so they listen. As I in my turn listen to them talk about stuff that I couldn't care less about. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

That's the funny bit: those that are trying to prove something to themselves might continue, those who merely set out to show how tough they are usually don't come back after the first jump or don't even show up for the FJC. Me, I care nothing what people think - I'm just out to have fun jumping. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Cue blaring trumpets: WAAH WA-WAAAAAAHH... "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

as a newbie, I'd like to point out respectfully that there is a difference between an instructor, who teaches students to jump and a jumpmaster, who can merely be someone who assists the intructors with supervising student exits. for example, in the Netherlands any person with a valid B-licence is allowed to supervise freefalling students in the plane, if appointed JM by the instructor on duty. That the question "trew" the OP should IMO be taken to mean that he didn't expect the question and wasn't sure how to answer didactically, not that the OP shit his pants as he realised for the first time that Death was staring him in the eye every time he jumped from a plane. If you are not trying to educate those who are trying to help you and perhaps with proper supervision will become great instructors in their own right later on then what are you doing in our sport.? yes, i know, this last question is just as unreasonable as your own. Yep, you struck a nerve. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I seem to have killed this thread, let's see if I can restart it... The other day I was talking on the phone to my mom, who has always been very supportive about my skydiving. However, when I told her about my recent CRW jump and explained what it is, she said: "Hmm.. I think you should know I'm not to thrilled about that. [..] Grabbing on to each other in freefall and making figures before opening your parachute is all fun and games, but doing that once your parachute is open is starting to sound like those extreme sports you sometimes hear about." Respect, mom.. you're one tough cookie! "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Not exactly.. I am what others are used to mocking. Does that count? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Vixen. first name that came to mind when i looked at the picture

It's interesting that "the law" states that minors aren't capable of making an informed decision on their own (therefore requiring parental consent), but that when it all goes to shit people start to claim that parents shouldn't have the right to waive their kids 'right to sue'. If the kids 'can't' decide for themselves and the parents aren't 'allowed' to do it for them, then who is going to make the decision? I'm not just talking about thrill rides, but also about general everyday stuff for which parental consent is necessary, like insurance or whatever. Insurance co0mpanies can screw you over too. Or is that okay because they don't ask you to sign a waiver in which you void your right to sue? Exactly what is the issue here? That being said, I think that if an investigation concludes gross negligence on the part of the provider of the thrill a waiver should be void, be the victim adult or minor. Even in skydiving there is a difference between calculated risks and recklessness. Sure, as a skydiver I signed the waiver, but there is a certain amount of trust involved there. For one thing, I *assume* the plane is airworthy when I get on it (barring Murphy's law). The simple fact that I signed a waiver does NOT absolve the DZ from all responsibility for ensuring that their operation is conducted within the limits of the law. I know this is going to earn me a few comments fromm the Knee Jerk Clan along the lines of if I "don't want to run risks I should get the fuck out of the sport" or something, but I say that if a DZ is legit, they don't have anything to fear from me. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Granted, you do not have to wish for anything. Unfortunately, Butters corrupted that anyway.. I wish I could jump tomorrow. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

This is not directed specifically at you Mdrejhon.. People always say that. Mind you, not necessarily about this parachute, but it's a totally BS reason not to choose a canopy, or sometimes even a pitiful excuse to downsize. "Yeah, my Spectre 210 cannot carry me far, so i'm downsizing to a sabre2 170 which will glide further". Keep in mind that a student/novice will probably/hopefully get a larger canopy than a swooper with thousands of jumps. Think about it: What'll carry me further; a ZP 210 or a Velocity 97? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

1) I needed a challenge. After some thought, skydiving seemed a good one. 2) not much, actually. I had this detached feeling and I remember clearly that I thought the scenery below looked just like a quilted blanket. Then I pushed off and I nearly panicked. Fortunately I was doing static-line which means you are under canopy within three seconds. Once the parachute was open and I started flying it, it was the coolest thing I'd ever done. 3) My first freefall was very overwhelming; I have a vague image of a treeline, the sensation of the wind screaming past my ears and feeling my hands starting to tingle with cold within two seconds (it was december). On the other hand, that first five-seconds of freefall still isn't over.

Pathetic. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Why? (Someone had to say it ) "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

GOOD morning, turtle "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Suuuure... We believe you "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

It's good enough.

A bad case of perma-grin "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom