ridestrong

Listen Evo... I really don't care if you believe my progression or not. Feel free to come to my dz and see for yourself. I have safely downsized with the approval of my dz instructors and my own comfort level. Why do you care so much, sorry if you are a bit behind the curve. The fact is I did not have the same opening issues on the Spectre caonopies as I did on the Sabre2 canopies, regardless of packing or body position. Also, if it takes you even more than 10 rides on two different canopies to tell the differences and make a preference then you are not flying the canopy or are numb to the process. It doesn't take a genius to notice the diferences in handling between two canopies. Don't know why it is so hard for you to believe. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Hi, I am a spine surgeon and perform these procedures weekly. Did you have a 'microdiscectomy'? If you did not have a fusion then you likely had just the herniated portion of your disc removed. You would likely be fine returning to skydiving, you just have to keep in mind that you no longer have the same healthy disc as you once did. Studies have said that you are at a 3%-5% higher risk of re-herniation, but arguments could be made that you would hold the same risk regardless of the previous herniation or surgery. Skydiving will put you in positions of spine loading and therefor create increased chances of a spinal injury in anyone. Yes, one could say you are at a higher risk. As for recovery, I would recommend a minimum of 12 weeks, but the longer the better. The idea is to allow the weak part of the annulus or outer portion of the disc to scar over, lessening the chance of re-herniation. This is in no way advice for you to return to skydiving or not. All the best to you and whatever you decide. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

The following is cut directly from NZ Aerosports. If you don't like or agree with it, please feel free to contact them directly. ------------------------------------------------------------- The Safire 2 is an all-round, hassle free, mid-range canopy offering the benefits of 9 cell performance, without getting radical or requiring any special attention. It's simple to use, with consistent, reliable openings, easy packing and great landings. This canopy is a versatile performer; suitable as a first canopy when lightly loaded, and equally useful as a modern mid-range performing wing at heavier wing-loadings. The result - an impressively balanced all-round wing offering • superior opening qualities • exceptional glide and range • outstanding slow flight stability • superior safety ----------------------------------------------------------- I am happy to receive legitimate advice, and to be corrected when I'm wrong. I want to learn all I can to better my jumping experience. But please save your name calling and personal attacks for the other people who want to "learn" from you. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

And there is the problem. You don’t even know what it is you don’t know. You are regurgitating all this crap you have heard other people say with no real understanding of what it means. Attached is some light reading for and an indication of where you are headed. Sparky Thanks Sparky, They are quite vigilant about teaching us as students about our higher altitude, thinner air, hot air and turbulence, and their effects on canopy control. This article on turbulence and bigger canopies is also a good read (can be found in the safety forms here on dz if I did not copy the link properly. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=718 I do not take skydiving and safety lightly. I don't plan on swooping my Safire2 159. It is not a hp canopy and would be considered a similar performance canopy as the Sabre2. If it was totally crazy for me to get the 159 I hope my dz instructors would have advised me against it. They know me and I will listen to them. If I get hurt on it I will let you know so you can tell me, "I told you so." *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Yeah, Mile-Hi is about 4,900'. You definitely fall faster here and as you said even more so when it's hot. We also get a fair amount of turbulence due to those two things. I will likely have a good 100 more jumps on the 159 before it starts getting hot again. I am comfortable with the thinner air as it is really all I know. I have also jumped at Skydive Long Island and CSC and the difference in canopy speed was definitely noticeable. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

How large a group and how low are you opening? Just askin'... So far 8-way is the largest group I have been in. I think it could still easily or mistakenly put you in a 15 degree track-off angle with another jumper. I would prefer to not make a 90* turn to the person next to me. I feel more comfortable on something other than a Sabre2 when it comes to that. Obviously the more jumpers the less degree of separation will be achieved. That being said I have no plan on jumping with any groups larger than 10 any time soon. Also, so far all pretty reasonable pull altitudes, usually by 3,500. Neither have been a real issue yet, and I'm just hoping to keep it that way. And for me it is not jumping a Sabre2. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Wow, why is this so hard to believe? Did you keep jumping a Navigator after AFF until you got your 'A'? If so, sorry must have been real boring. I used Nav 260s to 230s during AFF. After AFF I started using our rental rigs which is recommended at my DZ. Those happen to be either Sabre2's or Spectres. I weigh 165 and have down sized to a 170 and just bought a 159. Again doesn't seem too fast to me. 'The Sabre2 sucks', is just my opinion... some agree with me and some don't. There must be some validity to it or this thread wouldn't have had more than 3 replies. It's just my opion... and only matters to me??? I HAVE BOUGHT A SAFIRE2 AND I'M EXTREMELY HAPPY!!! btw, I jumped a navigator till jump 44, I even took a canopy course at jump 27 with a nav 240. What is your point? fyi, I weigh 155lbs without gear....r u gonna tell me I am TOO safe? You should hang out with the 8eight Guy....2 peas in a pod..... how old r u? 19? 20? good luck on your journey just so u know Stud Boy, at your weight and sea level it is suggested you have a minimum of 260 jumps before jumping a 160 canopy, but of course you have mad skillz; u are the last mofo I would take shoelace advice from, much less canopy advice....I guess u think Toyotas are unreliable cars? c u in the incidents forum! Yeauza! Calm down. It is just my opinion! So many that disagreed with me seemed to feel the need to discredit me and attack me personally. I simply stated my progression of downsizing, I never once said I was good in any way. I always check with the instructors at my DZ before downsizing and they were the one's that recommended I buy a 159. They are, I hope confident in my ability to handle it, as am I. As the replies show, I am not the only one that feels it is in someways an inferior canopy. Throw my opinion out the window as you have, but I'm sure their all just doing something wrong too. I invite anyone looking at getting a new intermediate canopy to read all the replies and form their own opinion. We all sure know yours. Thanks for your creative criticisms of me, I'm sure I can learn from them and it will make me a better jumper. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Wow, why is this so hard to believe? Did you keep jumping a Navigator after AFF until you got your 'A'? If so, sorry must have been real boring. I used Nav 260s to 230s during AFF. After AFF I started using our rental rigs which is recommended at my DZ. Those happen to be either Sabre2's or Spectres. I weigh 165 and have down sized to a 170 and just bought a 159. Again doesn't seem too fast to me. 'The Sabre2 sucks', is just my opinion... some agree with me and some don't. There must be some validity to it or this thread wouldn't have had more than 3 replies. It's just my opion... and only matters to me??? I HAVE BOUGHT A SAFIRE2 AND I'M EXTREMELY HAPPY!!! *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

How many times do I need to say it... I DID NOT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE SPECTRE CANOPIES!!! I don't think one would need to do more than 20 jumps on a canopy to decide wether or not they like it, and I happen to not like the Sabre2. "Packing and body position, packing and body position".... then why when I'm doing nothing differently does the Spectre, Safire2 seem to have better openings?.... I'll tell you why.. because they do. I will take the inexperienced shots on the chin, but what do you say to those that have thousands of jumps and agree with inconsistent openings. I think nearly half or more of the replies, admit to hard or off-heading openings, enough of a trend for me... but my mind was already made up from my own experiences. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Haha, oops... whatever. Sabre2, Spectre, Safire2... I'll keep all their spellings straight one of these days. but I like how at first it was my packing, now it's the dz packers, we have about 15 by the way. It is not the packer, how finicky can the Sabre2 be? Like I said, not the same degree of issues with the Spectre openings. If the packing needs to be so maticulous, again... I don't want one, but I'm glad you like yours. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Also, I realize not EVERYONE will experience the same issues regardless of experience. Many said that they have off-heading openings and don't seem to care. If you have a Saber2 and like it thats great. If you have a Saber2 and admit that you have some hard and off-heading openings, maybe consider a few rides on something else to see if you like it better. Just saying I wouldn't buy one. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Learn to pack... Seriously though, I bought a Sabre2 a few years ago as I started to do large way formations where a Spinetto wasn't the best choice of canopies. The opening characteristics proved to be such that I bought a matching Sabre2 for my backup rig. Perhaps at 49 jumps you have more to learn...... Blue Ones, ALL of my jumps on the Saber2 (~20) and the Spectre (~20) were packed by our DZ packers who are all excellent. Also I found the same issues on each saber2 I've jumped (210, 190, 170). I didn't have nearly the same opening issues with the various Spectres when comparing the two. I do agree that it has nice flare which makes for smooth landings. I am more concerned about my openings, especially in larger groups with lower break-offs, and avoiding canopy collisions and close calls. My last jump on a Saber2 170 opened so hard my shoe almost whipped off and it did a full 180* off-heading. From what I've read in the replies, many of those with the highest levels of experience and jump numbers confirm some of the issues raised. And those with ~500 jumps or less and have prob jumped primarily a Saber2 (that they likely got as their first canopy) are the ones most strongly defending it. I hope any nubies such as myself will read all the replies and if their considering buying a new canopy will at least try a couple different ones before simply ordering a Saber2 because their popular. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

just meant to say Spectre... *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

I just keep hearing students that are getting off AFF who have only flown a Navagator and their already ordering a Saber2. Please people ride some other canopies first, guarantee you will find something you like better than the Saber2. Granted I only have ~50 jumps, but about 20 are on the Saber2 and 20 on the Spectre2. I actually prefer the Spectre2 in nearly every aspect. Thankfully I was turned onto the Saphire2 and just got one.... YAY!!! *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Hard openings, closed end cells, and off heading more often than not. Why do so many people by these shitty canopies? *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Epocrates for Blackberry couldn't live without it. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Which way wasn't it true? And what if they would have stayed in the 1500's forever? So what, isn't it their right? Many cultures today are quite behind us, we think they want to modernize but can't, other side is that they just don't want to modernize. Ok... true in EVERY way. The question is not whether or not it happened. It would be great if they would have stayed in the 1500's if they so chose, no argument. Nothing is stopping the Amish from living without most all modern technologies. You just don't see Native Americans following the same choice to fore go modern advances. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

I agree, question 2 alone is a stupid question. However if one believes that they would have also willingly adopted technological advancements, built their own modernized cities, and changed their way of life. Then what was truly taken from them or to keep them from integrating into the rest of society. Aside from the obvious battles fought and lives lost from both sides. The argument always seems to be that "They had their land and way of life taken away from them." Which, yes.... in many ways is true. I just can't help but to wonder if they were given half the land without interference would things really be any different than they are today. Therefor making the aforementioned argument a moot point. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Question 1: Are you tired of hearing people complain about how the Native Americans "had their continent taken away from them"? Question 2: If the Native Americans were given half of the land to do with what ever they pleased. Do you think they would still be living as they did before the invasion of the early settlers? *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

I live in Denver and my home DZ - Mile-Hi Skydive is the provider for all the jumps into the Stadium. Shanon did 4 practice jumps there the day before his jump. I think he had special privileges... I believe you actually have to have your 'pro-rating' to be a tandem passenger into a demo event. Or at the least a C or D license. It's specified on the USPA website and/or in the SIM. Just read it recently but don't remember the details and am too lazy to look it up right now. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

I know I'm not instinctively good. I just do what I'm told, and I follow directions very well. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

I answered 5% The number would be higher if I omitted my teen years and early 20's. Most women and (I'm sure men, can say) get better with age and experience in bed. Still, rarely with a woman that is GOOD at oral sex. Like someone said earlier, the women that seem to enjoy it usually perform much better. Ladies if you would like to learn some, just watch some internet porn. Most all the women in that field do exactly what a man would like. Don't think you'd have to watch too much to get some good know-how. -Some hand, definitely good. -Varying degree of pressure good, but usually the more the better. -Rate- mix it up. -Teeth, certainly not preferred but will likely go unnoticed. If the guy asks you if you are trying to build a dam down there, prob too much teeth. -oh yeah, and breathing is good. ps- as far as you know I've never DL'd internet porn. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Hahahahaha. That made me laugh.... "Ben's brother" hahaha. No offense to the OP, it was just funny. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

SNOWBOARD!!! -- 'Colorado 5 Mountain Pass' = Keystone, A-Basin, Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Hahahaha... thanks for fixing that. The original was one of the dumbest, poorly written things I've read. When you can't even write the word 'conservative' without the cross-out through it you are the epitome of the points made in the original post.... or maybe just really really really "passionate." *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----