flyingmontana 1 #1 May 27, 2010 Hello! I'm just turning 40 and finally decided to try skydiving last weekend, out in Lake Elsinore, CA. Did a tandem jump with an instructor named Matt and had an absolutely fantastic experience. I'm an aerial acrobat--former flying trapeze artist, professional high diver, Acapulco cliff diver. As soon as I left the plane I felt like I was in my element. Can't wait to get licensed! I just signed up for the AFF course at my closest DZ, in Tecumseh MI. I'd appreciate any advice for a newcomer, especially if you know of potential directions I can take this that include any kind of acrobatics. I'm also wondering whether it's realistic for me to consider becoming a tandem instructor. I'm female and about 120 pounds--is that too light to be an instructor? These forums are terrific and I've already enjoyed reading through many threads. Looking forward to learning a lot from you all and from my coaches at Tecumseh! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thrillstalker 0 #2 May 27, 2010 welcome to your new addiction. check out some freestyle videos on youtube, should correlate to acrobatics. edited to add: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yf9PvMRGkU"Never grow a wishbone, where your backbone ought to be." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrbiceps 0 #3 May 27, 2010 Welcome buddy, one day youll be a awesome base jumper with all that experience as an acrobat. Maybe the next Dwain Weston (rip). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #4 May 27, 2010 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
DiverMike 5 #5 May 27, 2010 Your previous aerial experience will help you greatly in skydiving. You probably have a highly developed sense of body position. I was a college diver and the skills I learned from 10 meter diving translated well to skydiving. Welcome to the sport. For the same reason I jump off a perfectly good diving board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim_32766 0 #6 May 28, 2010 This video will give you another example of the possibilities. I think Dale was a gymnast before taking up skydiving. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SMvmW2BfioThe meaning of life . . . is to make life have meaning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingmontana 1 #7 May 30, 2010 Thanks for the links and advice, everyone who wrote back to me! Today I did my first two AFF jumps. On the first I got a bit disoriented with the parachute and ended up in a cornfield, but the second was fine. Watching the freestyle videos really makes me dream of what I'd love to do up there. I hope I can continue to learn quickly and safely to pursue this goal! My instructors at Skydive Tecumseh (Michigan), by the way, have all been fantastic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingmontana 1 #8 July 11, 2010 Hi everyone, just thought I'd update this with the news that I got my A license today. I have 32 jumps now and it's just amazing to me how the skills that seemed so frustrating a few weeks ago are now coming so easily. I've started doing some relative work already and am doing every acrobatic exit I can try out of the plane. Really hoping to start mastering the freefly and freestyle skills soon, but now I know that it's repetition and patience above all that brings progress. My coaches and all the skydivers at Tecumseh are amazing. I love the place and spend every day I possibly can there. I hope to be able to buy a used rig next week and start getting used to my own gear. I'm definitely in love with this... unfortunately it's causing MAJOR tension with my fiance, who thinks I've lost my head completely. Thanks for all the dropzone discussion threads--I've found them so interesting. (But who is this joker "Cocheese"?! LOL) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim_32766 0 #9 July 11, 2010 Congrats on the A license! It sounds like you are progressing very quickly. I am sure your acrobatic skills will be showing themselves in your flying. I hope you have an understanding fiance as this will be a real test. It's easy to get completely caught up in skydiving to the detriment of other hobbies and even relationships. I try to keep skydiving in perspective as a new and greatly interesting hobby, but not a replacement for everything else in life. Notice I said "try". The meaning of life . . . is to make life have meaning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiverMike 5 #11 July 13, 2010 Quote unfortunately it's causing MAJOR tension with my fiance For the same reason I jump off a perfectly good diving board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flyerer 0 #12 July 13, 2010 Just remember. No smoking dogs allowed at the DZ!Quote Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites flyingmontana 1 #13 August 20, 2010 As the prop turns... Did my 100th skydive tonight (a high pull at sunset--beautiful) and broke up with the fiance last weekend. Very sad, but he isn't happy to see me flying, and I won't/can't stop. I wish the summer would go on forever...the start of classes and the coming of cold weather will mean I'll have to slow down, at least a little! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
flyingmontana 1 #13 August 20, 2010 As the prop turns... Did my 100th skydive tonight (a high pull at sunset--beautiful) and broke up with the fiance last weekend. Very sad, but he isn't happy to see me flying, and I won't/can't stop. I wish the summer would go on forever...the start of classes and the coming of cold weather will mean I'll have to slow down, at least a little! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
