michpadams 0 #1 September 21, 2008 So I did my first tandem last weekend and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. Today I posted some exercise equipment to sell so I can afford the AFF. What I wanted to know if whether or not there are many women in this sport and secondly, about how much one can anticipate to spend after the AFF cert. to get their intial "A" and equipment? I am assuming somewhere in the ballpark of $5000. I can't wait and I am absolutely obsessed with it. I did the tandem at parachute center in Lodi. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #2 September 21, 2008 First, Welcome to the Forums. There are quite a few women that skydive, they even have their own forum here on dropzone.com. The price of AFF will vary depending on the dropzone or if you have to retake any levels. 5k seems a little steep to me but that should do you fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamiem 1 #3 September 21, 2008 Hello! I am a woman jumper at Lodi, and actually there are quite a few of us there! AFF costs $1000 at Lodi, and you will probably end up spending about $3000 to $4000 on a rig. What I did was just worry about getting through AFF and getting some jumps under your belt with rental equipment ($35 a jump at Lodi) until you know what size canopy you want and then buy. Let me know if you have any other questions about Lodi or the training or anything. I'm the girl around the dz with the lavender and bright pink rig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
michpadams 0 #4 September 21, 2008 Wow, thanks for letting me know. I may go down there today and do one last tandem jump just to make sure I want to get into this thing. I didn't realize you could rent the equipment in Lodi. I will have to keep my eye out for you. Can't wait to get started Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adrnlnrush07 0 #5 September 21, 2008 Check out the women's only forum too. There's a lot of stuff that's non-skydiving related but we're pretty much all skydivers in there so can hook up with women in your area to jump and learn from. Welcome to the sport!!!! Women skydivers kickass! PMS # 457*~Alli~* When people ask "Why jump out of perfectly good airplane?" I reply "The door was open and someone said GO!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #6 September 21, 2008 Welcome and good luck! All of the women I've met have been awesome to me! Girls stick together!Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
galvar2439 0 #7 September 22, 2008 Quote Hello! I am a woman jumper at Lodi, and actually there are quite a few of us there! AFF costs $1000 at Lodi, and you will probably end up spending about $3000 to $4000 on a rig. What I did was just worry about getting through AFF and getting some jumps under your belt with rental equipment ($35 a jump at Lodi) until you know what size canopy you want and then buy. After you finish the AFF, you still have to pay for your coached jumps until you get Liscensed and finish your gold card. Helmet, rig, altimeter and of course cases of BEER for all your firsts! Let me know if you have any other questions about Lodi or the training or anything. I'm the girl around the dz with the lavender and bright pink rig. So i just broke up with this woman who wasn't even my girlfriend! Hellfish #782, POPS #10664 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreaming13000 1 #8 September 22, 2008 Check out http://www.skydivergirls.com/ let us know if you decide to do the AFF or not, and how it goes! Blue skies, jess"A man only gets in life what he is believing for, nothing more and nothing less" Kenneth Hagen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #9 September 23, 2008 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #10 September 23, 2008 There are lots of female jumpers in NorCal. You can expect to have spent $5-10k on skydiving by the time you have an A license and all your own gear. After that.... half your income for the rest of your life is about right. The least expensive option is not necessarily the best option for you when it comes to skydiving. Be an informed student - first go to uspa.org and download the Skydivers Information Manual (it's free). Read through the student training information. Then go visit the other dz's in your area before you start your AFF jumps. At each dz, find out what they charge and what you get for the money. Take a look at the gear you'd be using and the planes you'd be jumping out of. Talk to the instructors, experienced jumpers and other students. Then decide where you want to do your student training based on the information you've gathered and the overall "vibe" you get from each dz, NOT based on who wants the least amount of money for "x" number of jumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr_music11 0 #11 September 23, 2008 Welcome! Although a mostly male dominated sport, you will find that most in the sport are open to sharing and encouraging all to get involved. And the more women the better if you ask me!!! I was thankfull to be "indoctrinated" by a fellow female skydiver who gave my wife all of the words of comfort that she needed to hear to feel secure that her husband wasnt taking too large of a risk when starting the sport. I too jump in Lodi (also wen thru my AFF there/Mikey was my instructor) and dont have many jumps under my belt (heading towards jump 40 this friday!) If you are interested in getting together for some fun jumps or have any questions about my experiences there in Lodi... drop me a line. Blue skies!If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stuntbabex 0 #12 September 23, 2008 Some of the coolest chicks in the sport I have met at Lodi. I think you'll like it there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmitchem 0 #13 September 26, 2008 I am glad to see there are others like me. I'm a 48 yo ER nurse that has always loved the rush of adrednalin and wanted to jump. My husband asked me to wait until the kids were grown. The last one left for college on 8/21 and I jumped 9/14. I am hooked and can't wait until the next. We jump right on the coast and I have never felt or seen anything like it. I started looking @ equipment prices the next day!!! I plan to wait until I do a few more tandem jumps and then some of my own. Rentals are availabe @ our DZ also. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmitchem 0 #14 September 26, 2008 Sorry for the typo "adrenalin" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
michpadams 0 #15 September 26, 2008 That is too cool. I actually ended up going tandem again last weekend. I just found out that there is a new DZ about 1/4 mile from my house in Lincoln, California so I am thinking of doing AFF there. I think some of the reason why I feel so invigorated is that I recently lost almost 100 pounds. That was why I originally jumped. I couldn't think of any way to celebrate my freedom from the weight that had kept me down like skydiving. Now I love it. I just wish it weren't so expensive. I also don't have any friends that do it so I am hoping to make some friends. I was completely depressed about turning 37 but now I realize it is just a number. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamiem 1 #16 September 26, 2008 I have not heard much about the new Lincoln dz, but it is VERY new. Lots of experienced, established AFFIs at Lodi. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tinlizzy73 0 #17 September 30, 2008 QuoteI also don't have any friends that do it so I am hoping to make some friends. I was completely depressed about turning 37 but now I realize it is just a number. I'm 35 and have been in the sport for just over a year. Stick with it and you'll make friends with both women and men who you'll find you can't do without. Move on over to the women's forum and let us know how it goes. Your new girlfriends will watch out for you.Jeanne Blue Skies, better days, more beer - Oh the humanity - Peace be with you my friend DON'T TASE ME BRO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LOSTandCRAZY 0 #18 September 30, 2008 I'm 37, and I just started AFF last month, finishing up in a few weeks. I may be 37, but the days I skydive, I feel 20 again, and that's what it's all about. By the way, one of my instructors is female, and she kicks a$$! So don't wory about the male domination thing. For me it's not about guys and girls, it's about skydiving. Rock on!"Get these balls!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gearless_chris 1 #19 September 30, 2008 Quote Quote I also don't have any friends that do it so I am hoping to make some friends. I was completely depressed about turning 37 but now I realize it is just a number. Stick with it and you'll make friends with both women and men who you'll find you can't do without. Like me ."If it wasn't easy stupid people couldn't do it", Duane. My momma said I could be anything I wanted when I grew up, so I became an a$$hole. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grannyinthesky 0 #20 October 1, 2008 Quote I'm 37, and I just started AFF last month, finishing up in a few weeks. I may be 37, but the days I skydive, I feel 20 again, and that's what it's all about. By the way, one of my instructors is female, and she kicks a$$! So don't wory about the male domination[\s] majority thing. For me it's not about guys and girls, it's about skydiving. fixed it Only 37? I am 58 now and am approaching the one year anniversary of my first skydive. I have found a whole new life this last 12 months. I have made friends from all over, both male and fenale. Sure, there are times when I am the only woman on the plane, but it really doesn't matter. We are all up there for the same thing.,...... to feel the excitement and joy of skydiving."safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LOSTandCRAZY 0 #21 October 1, 2008 Ah, touche, perhaps "domination" was the wrong word to use. "Majority" is a better term.... But either way, it's all about the skydive."Get these balls!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grannyinthesky 0 #22 October 1, 2008 QuoteBy the way, one of my instructors is female, and she kicks a$$! So don't wory about the male domination[ majority thing. For me it's not about guys and girls, it's about skydiving. ---------------------------------------------------------------------fixed it Only 37? I am 58 now and am approaching the one year anniversary of my first skydive. I have found a whole new life this last 12 months. I have made friends from all over, both male and fenale. Sure, there are times when I am the only woman on the plane, but it really doesn't matter. We are all up there for the same thing.,...... to feel the excitement and joy of skydiving ------------------------------------------------------- "You are so sleeping in the car tonight!" --Skootz http://www.myspace.com/grannyinthesky POPS #10490 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You are so sleeping in the car tonight!" --Skootz http://www.myspace.com/grannyinthesky POPS #10490 Well, I tried to fix it. All I wanted was one word crossed out...just domination lol"safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
