Greetings from Los Angeles!

[mightaswelljump 0]

Hi Everyone!

Pretty new to the sport, did my first tandem in June at Skydive Santa Barbara. Loved it but wanted to completely conquer the fear that hit me as I exited the plane from that first jump. I went back in August, did a second tandem and was able to enjoy the experience much more. Immediately did a level 2 tandem and started ground school for AFP a month later.

Just completed AFP training a few weeks ago. It was a bit rough at times since I'm not the most graceful even on the ground. But I looked at it as jumps where I didn't pass on to the next level were still better than not jumping at all
Have done three solo jumps since finishing AFP and am working towards my A license. Just when I thought this whole sport was starting to get more affordable I'm now looking at collecting equipment . Probably going to head out to Perris at some point to check out their gear shop and see what works best for me. Maybe even get in a jump or two if they are good with it.

Take care and blue skies!

[skymama 37]

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

[popsjumper 2]

Congrats!

I love your screen name...
"I was on a plane, the door was open, so I......"


Welcome to the Big Blue Skies!

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[mightaswelljump 0]

Thanks for the warm welcome
Going to talk with the instructors at my home DZ before going to far into my gear purchasing. Did pick up some Mechanix gloves off eBay on sale. Hopefully they will help with jumps in this colder weather. Definitely want to get an altimeter next and then some goggles, helmet and a jumpsuit (probably in that order). When do most people take the plunge and pick up their first rig? Seems like thats the sort of thing to hold off on until your ready to really commit to the sport.

As for the username its actually more of a reference to the Van Halen song . Just one of those things that runs through my mind as I get ready to exit. That and the phrase 'you just have to get comfortable with the fear'.

Funny how when your learning you get psyched up to go jumping, but as soon as your in the plane the fear starts creeping back. With each jump though it becomes less and less. Does it ever really go away?

Well, hopefully can get a jump in this holiday weekend. Take care everyone and have a happy and safe New Year!

[popsjumper 2]

You have it right...buy those things in that order, well, maybe goggles first. Either way.

Buying a rig, yep, you are right...wait for a while.
Here is a link to some really good advice on gear and other topis, too.

http://www.chutingstar.com/expert-advice/skydive/buying-gear

Nah, the anxiety never goes away, it just keeps getting to be less and less affecting.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[LiborJanicek 0]

Nice one. I'm near LAX and my home DZ is Perris. Jump at Elsinore as well. Fire me a PM when u r jumping.

[EChen22 0]

Quote

When do most people take the plunge and pick up their first rig? Seems like thats the sort of thing to hold off on until your ready to really commit to the sport.

It really depends. I bought a rig much sooner than expected simply because it was an amazing deal I couldn't pass up. Knew I wouldn't find that canopy for that price again anytime soon, so I bit the bullet. Plus I figured with every gear rental I was throwing away $ that could be going to repay my canopy.
Just what I did, know it's not right for everyone.

Goggles and alti were my first purchases right off AFF.

Hope this helps, and welcome to the skies!

You may never get rid of the butterflies, but you can teach them to fly in formation.