SickGirl 0 #1 June 27, 2013 Hi everyone!! I did my first tandem jump last Friday at Skydance in Davis, CA! Had an amazing, mind-blowing time (naturally)!! Walked away glowing and grinning!! You guys know the feeling!! So much so that I bought another one on the spot since they had a deal going on, I thought I'd see how I liked it a second time. I went up again this morning with the same instructor as the first time, except this time I wanted to LEARN some things and not just have a ride. He was super cool and immediately asked me if I wanted to make it a working jump, counting towards certification. It must've made an impression that I had come back less than a week later. I was happy that he asked, even though I would have if he didn't, and he wasn't looking at me like some jump bunny, but someone who might seriously be interested in the sport. On the ground he spent quite a bit of time talking to me about some of the equipment and showed me some drills and skills he wanted me to execute in the sky. I was supposed to do a series of dummy pulls, check alt, spin left, check alt, spin right, check alt, do a 360, check alt (at which point it would be near pull time), wave off and deploy the chute. I was even more nervous than the first time in the plane ride up (since I knew what was coming) but as soon as we got to the door, it was so much better! Leaving the plane was better, and I actually managed to remember and perform the drills he wanted me to once in free fall!!!! So freaking exciting!! It was really cool to be able to perform some spins and turns and play up there in the air. The constant alt checks were enlightening too since pretty much every maneuver meant another 1-2K feet. CRAZY how fast it goes!!! Flying the canopy was amazing too, though I felt much less confident for that portion, maybe because he had spent a lot of time prepping me for free fall maneuvers. I get the general concept (as much as a complete noob can, that is) but I can tell there is a LOT of technique and experience that plays into success. As we were floating down, we were able to observe and talk about the approaches the others were making, which helped a lot. All in all, I've loved every minute!! The people at the dz were really welcoming and I saw quite a few ladies flying solo, which was awesome. And my instructor was fantastic!! He really showed me a lot and had the perfect demeanor which made it really fun to learn stuff. Anyway, before I left the dz, I signed up for ground school plus 3 more jumps (another deal they had going on, hook, line, and sinker)!!! I'm SUPER EXCITED!! I can't remember the last time I had this much fun doing something!! I've already spent quite a bit of time lurking on here in the last couple of weeks, so I wanted to finally introduce myself. I'll probably have a lot of super-noob questions. Here's the obligatory super-noob picture! Thanks for reading my novel!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toddnkaya1 0 #2 June 27, 2013 Hi SickGirl, Welcome to the Forum! I am planning on doing a tandem in a few weeks! I did a static line jump about ten years ago. I used to work for a bungee jumping company many years back too. A couple of questions if you don't mind. What kind of deals are you talking about? Can you break down the jump prices? On your next jumps are you working toward AFF? Thanks, Todd Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SickGirl 0 #3 June 27, 2013 Hi Todd!! Thanks for the welcome!! As for your questions, yes, this works as part of AFF. They have a program called Tandem Assisted Freefall where you can use your first tandems as working tandems, then move on to ground school (which is a full day of instruction followed by a jump with your own parachute). I started with a tandem since I didn't know how I would like it. That day, they gave me a coupon for half off another tandem if I purchased that day. Naturally, with my adrenaline pumping, I sprang for it!!I know there are different ways to go about this. I sort of fell into this (get it? Fell into? Har de har har) since I had already done two tandems and my first was just supposed to be a joyride. Hope that kind of answers your questions!! I'm so new to this I don't have a lot of answers, but I'm on my way to more skydiving!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toddnkaya1 0 #4 June 28, 2013 Your welcome for the welcome.I hope you enjoy your dives and instruction! Ok , I don't really comprehend your answer. Are you telling me its $500 for the six skydives? That seems crazy cheep! It's $239 here for my first tandem. It's about $1500 for 7 AFF course here in Western Pa. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #5 June 28, 2013 Welcome to the forums! Ok, I kid, I kid! If you like it now, you're really going to like it when you start going solo. Good luck with your training and have fun! 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
