AndreLB3

I took the camera comment from his profile picture

Newb here. You have 55 jumps, already jumping a camera, and now balloon jump? Isn't that....not safe? Someone? Anyone?

Im heading down to Skydive SD sometime next week (during the week, not sure what day yet), and was wondering if someone wanted to come along or meet me there. I just got my A and I don't have any friends that jump. I thought it would be fun to have someone to jump with that could show me some fun exits, do some jumps together, mess around. Also, would be nice to get some pointers and have someone to chill with. I don't really want to go down there just hoping someone will be around. Anyways, let me know if anyone's interested...I'll buy your first jump (and some beers) :) -Andrew

I know there is a bunkhouse but I have never seen inside. Also, 99% there are no showers. Just call and ask 619.216.8413 Great DZ though

Unfortunately, he jumps at my home DZ in San Diego...little disconcerting to watch this video, shit my pants, then realize i recognize the DZ.

Great vid...never heard that Rebelution/Zion I track before, pretty dope.

Thanks for that. That USMC shirt story was exactly what I was getting at. As for the color jumpsuit, probably black. The chances of me going camo container are slim to none, especially since I'm buying used, but I was just curious. Thanks everyone for your opinions.

Newb question here. Trying to figure out some of those unwritten skydiving rules. I am beginning to look for my own gear, and have come across several containers with camo designs. For example: Javelin Legacy Custom I think they look really cool but I jump at Skydive San Diego and there are tons of military jumpers who are both training and getting in some fun jumps. I'm wondering if non-military fun jumpers with camo containers is against etiquette. Or am I just being silly? I'm not really concerned with what other people think. I am just curious and quite bored at the moment. Thanks guys.

Hopefully this shouldn't be in the "Safety and Training" section... I recently read about "Sisters In Skydiving" in the last USPA email blast. For those of you who didn't read it, basically its a "Big Sister" mentoring program where they match new female jumpers up with experienced ones to help guide, support, teach, etc. As a post AFF student working towards my A and trying to learn as much as possible, this interested me greatly. The only problem is, I am not a female. My question is, can I do anything like this? Due to my work schedule, finances, and distance to my DZ, I can only jump about two days out of the month (4 jumps a day). Because of this, I haven't really made friends with any jumpers, employees, or coaches. It doesn't help either that every AFF jump and coach jump comes with a new instructor. So, is it possible to maybe hire a coach/mentor for a day (pay for his time and his jump tickets) to help me through my remaining coach jumps, packing, and well, EVERYTHING? Am I even allowed to hire someone not affiliated with the DZ with a coach rating to do my coach jumps and sign off on my A card? It would just be nice and more comfortable to have someone with me all day that I could talk to about anything and everything. Thanks for your insight, Andrew

That's good to hear there are funjumpers there. Definitely a cool DZ. My only warning, this DZ is pretty damn far from Camarillo. I left from Santa Barbara when I went and it took me an hour if i recall, so from Camarillo it will be a good drive. But whatever, it's worth it right?

I went there a couple years ago to do a tandem (this is before I did my AFF, so I didn't know much about skydiving). But, looking back, it definitely seems like a tandem farm. I was there on a weekend with my girlfriend and we were the only two people there. Total time between showing up and landing was about 30 minutes. I didn't see one funjumper there, and like I said, I was there on a summer weekend. Maybe it was a weird day and I am wrong, who knows. I would just call and ask.

As well as a supervised Level 7 jump, you will probably go through a 30-45 minute refresher course, maybe longer for 4 months. That's what I had to do after 20 jumps and not jumping for 2 months. So I could be wrong.

Nice to know you have worn the helmet I am looking at. And with 700 jumps on it that's even better haha. Was it hard to remove the strap holder on the back? From some pictures I see, it looks pretty massive, but I can't get a real good pic. I have to go find a store that has this helmet. Also, do you think this helmet will at all be an issue for someone with only 15 jumps? Thanks, Andrew

Hi All, I am looking to purchase my first helmet and have been doing some research on these forums. My main issue is with protection, and I have heard that most skydive helmets other than protecs aren't rated. My next issue is with the price of skydiving helmets; just too high for me right now. So, because of those reasons I have decided to go with a snowboard helmet (and they just look better IMO). Before you say it, I will make sure there are no snag points, especially the goggle strap holder on back. My question is, while looking at snowboard helmets, I realized that most of them have soft ear flaps, and I was wondering if these would cause any kinds of problems. I don't see how they would be snag point, but I am a newb and could be wrong. Here is an example of the type of helmet I am talking about: Burton RED Helmet Thanks for the advice! -Andrew

Congrats!!! How good does it feel to pull that off after you have been worrying about it so much? The only thing I liked better on my last AFF jump then knowing I passed, was watching my instructor giving me the thumbs up while head down and then proceed to do some crazy shit while i waved off and pulled. I just did my first self supervised a couple weeks ago. its a little intimidating (trying not to look like such a rookie), but once you get out the door its amazing. best feeling not having someone watch and judge you. dont be surprised if you unintentionally yell "yeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaa" a few times when your canopy deploys and then look around and make sure no one heard you. again, congrats.

I did several jumps that day with a jumpsuit on and had absolutely no stability issues whatsoever. I talked to my instructors and asked what they thought about me doing a jump without a jumpsuit so that I could see the difference (and it was 90 degrees). They said it will be harder but that I should feel free to try it if I wanted. So I tried it, and although it was harder, I was fine.

Also, don't stress too much about getting the flips perfect. Really, the main reason they wants you to do flips in your AFF jumps, is to cause you to become unstable, and then see if you can become stable again. If you try it and only do 3/4 of a flip, flail around, but arch and get stable right after, the instructor won't really care that you didn't do a full flip. All i do is throw my chin back hard and tuck my legs at the same time, the flip will just happen by itself. then just arch! Again, dont worry about pulling a perfect flip, just make sure that whatever happens when you try (something will happen) that you arch and get stable afterwards.

A similar thing happened to me. I barely passed AFF3, but the way my instructor spoke to me afterwards in my debrief really discouraged me. I had been so excited because my first 2 jumps went great, and then my AFF3 instructor really brought me down. It's not really important what he/she said, but ya, I was really bummed and wasn't looking forward to my next jumps at all like i had been before. So i know how an instructor can make you feel. Bottom line, I tried to forget it as much as i could, and i got back to jumping (didn't hurt i had a different instructor). I put it out of my head and focused on learning and being safe. After my AFF4 went perfect, my AFF3 was the last thing I was thinking about. I ended up passing every level first time. Trust me, as discouraged as you are now, once you get that first solo in after your AFF, it will all have been worth it. Some instructors have been doing this a long time, and they are over the sugar-coating phase when they talk to their students. He is trying to make sure you don't kill yourself, that's all. And, as stated above, sounds like you are getting an opportunity to pass 6 and 7 in one jump, which is awesome! Just have fun, be safe Blue, Andrew

So I figured I would post how my day went. First 2 solo's i went jumpsuit, last one i went shorts and tee. you weren't kidding about the chains on a car analogy. i rolled out on the exit and did some front flips, then arched and ended up on my back for a couple seconds, which has never happened to me before. took me a couple seconds to get back belly-down and get stable. it was MUCH harder to get and stay stable for me and at about 7,000ft I realized it was because i wasn't wearing a jumpsuit. and then at 6,000 i thought "now i know what the hell everyone was talking about" anyways, thanks for the advice everyone, and nice seeing you on that last load geoff

ya unfortunately i really tend to enjoy my friday/saturday nights. and i have some buddies coming into town tonight, gonna be tough turning down the endless supply of shots these clowns love so much. wouldn't want the headline to read "skydiver too hungover to cutaway main and pull reserve"

Yeah I've definitely noticed everyone wearing them. I know wearing them makes relative work a lot easier, but since I can't do any RW work yet, I figured it wouldn't hurt to just wear some shorts and a long sleeve tee or something (I think its gonna be in the 80's tomorrow). Ill talk to some instructors and see what they say. By the way, funny your name is hermosabeach. I live right by the pier. Where do you jump usually? I go SD because I have friends I can stay with (no friends around perris/elsinore) so I dont have to drive down and drive back up same day. Not looking forward to waking up early and heading down there tomorrow, but its worth it. -Andrew

Going to do my first post-AFF jumps tomorrow and start working towards my "A." Was curious to know if I am allowed to wear just plain clothes when I jump, or if it is mandatory to wear a student jumpsuit until I get my "A" (I'm going to Skydive San Diego). It might vary by drop zone, but maybe its a uspa reg? Thanks! -Andrew

Hi All, Just did AFF 3,4,5,6, and 7 in one day a couple weeks ago (so exhausting) at Skydive San Diego. Anyways, my level 7 was on the sunset load so I haven't gotten my first solo in, but I am hoping to get my first few solos in this weekend. I live in Los Angeles, but SDSD seemed like the best place to learn. Also, I have friends that live in San Diego so I can always just crash at their place, wake up, and skydive! Anyways, can't wait to start meeting people, having some beers after last load, and working on my "A". Just wanted to introduce myself and talk to some people who jump down there (or anywhere in socal). Also curious what you guys think is the best order to complete the rest of my A license jumps in (solos, coached, hop n pop, etc). Thanks! -Andrew

Wow what a day. Did 1 and 2 a while ago, then I did 3,4,5,6, and 7 all in one day at Skydive San Diego. Never been so exhausted. That grad jump felt so good though, especially that long smooth track at the end and watching my instructor go head down with a thumbs up as I waved off and pulled. Mad props to Chad and Matt, so helpful and just cool to hang with. Can't wait to do some coached jumps with you and have some beers after sunset on the weekends. You guys have a case of beer coming your way as soon as I make it back. Don't worry, as everyone said on the plane ride up before jump 7, they will be "non-domestic bottles." No natural lights coming. Can't wait to break the bank (even though its already broken) and start buying the small things (goggles, helmet, altimeter). Thanks again Skydive SD, even though I live in LA, you are my home DZ. So pissed its supposed to rain this weekend...want to get my first solo in!! -Andrew