Melissa126 0 #1 July 19, 2010 Hey everyone, frustrated newbie here. I'm on level D1 of my AFF, which I'm stuck on now because the spin I thought I conquered in C is coming back. I've been listening to all my coaches and instructors (they are wonderful!) that have jumped with me (relax, arch, toe taps, deep breaths). And it seems just when I feel stable I start to spin, I correct it, start spinning the other way, correct, it, and by that time the freefall is over and I haven't gotten to work on the objectives. The closest wind tunnel is about 4 hours away, I will try and get there when the next group goes, but right now i'm just looking for some advice, sometimes if my brain hears the same thing maybe told a different way it'll just click. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sapphire 0 #2 July 19, 2010 I had a case of the spins in C - I refer to that as the CAT from HELL! All the "relaxes" and "smiles" - even singing a lil song before exit and after just didn't always quite get it enough for me to pass. The wind tunnel really helped me; it really allows you to feel the air and adjustments you can and cannot make without worries of watching your alti. I highly recommend going there if you can as repeats are certainly costly, both for your bank account and confidence. If you really just cannot go - try the singing a funny little song and just truly relaxing. Stick out your tongue at your instructor - more toe taps - slow, deep breaths maybe? Good luck whatever you decide! You'll get passed it! "One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar" ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 July 19, 2010 The tunnel is an excellent tool if you can get there. If not (and until then), don't beat yourself up. It takes some of us longer for our bodies to figure out what we want them to do in freefall. You've had, what, maybe two minutes total time flying by yourself so far? Think of it like when you were a kid figuring out how to ride a bike without training wheels (which is really what AFF instructors are during your first few categories). Did you just get on the bike and go? Or did it take some time to get your balance? You'll get it. Relax and breathe. Think about keeping whatever spot on the horizon you've chosen right in front of you instead of thinking about turning or stopping a turn. And don't forget to have fun. Skydiving is supposed to be fun - even when we don't do as "good" on a jump as we wanted to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim_32766 0 #4 July 19, 2010 Don't be too hard on yourself and definitely make it to the tunnel when you can. You will be able to completely focus on just the one task, without any distraction, plus have a coach right there with you. I'll bet you fix the spin in the first 60 seconds of tunnel time. The meaning of life . . . is to make life have meaning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Melissa126 0 #5 July 19, 2010 Ah yes I refer to it like that as well! I was so thrilled when I finally got through C, thought I had fixed all my spinning problems... then move on to D and they came back ugh. I'm so ready to get back up and conquer this. I'm going to really focus on making sure I'm not tensing up through my shoulder and arms, and to not Over-correct. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lauraliscious 0 #6 July 19, 2010 Get video on your next jump. Video is a great learning tool. Have you gotten any video of any of your jumps yet? And just keep trying! You'll get it eventually. Enemiga Rodriguez, PMS #369, OrFun #25, Team Dirty Sanchez #116, Pelt Head #29, Muff #4091 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #7 July 19, 2010 I repeated D1 4 damned times. Kept spinning and spinning and spinning....... People are right, the tunnels are a great tool. However, if you can't immediately get down to one, try this -- One thing that I found was helpful for me during that time was to go home and lay on the floor in front of my couch and adjust myself until my feet could rest on the edge of the couch keeping my lower legs at about a 45 degree angle. It gave me some "positive pressure" on my legs, as well as being able to retain longer muscle memory of having my legs equal and even from hips to toes. Hope it helps. Skybytch is correct though. There is NOTHING natural about this sport to our bodies, and we have to learn it a minute at a time in the air. Relax. You'll get it soon enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Melissa126 0 #8 July 19, 2010 I did get to see this last jump on video, from what I saw, I LOOKED a lot stiffer than I felt (I felt calm and confused ha) that's for sure, a little ridgid looking. I'm definitely going to go home and try the floor/couch thing, I'll lay there all night until it feels natural! This will be my 3rd time on D1. (First time somehow had a bad exit w/ instructor and we both ended up a propeller on our backs--needless to say no time to work on what were supposed to), then this last time was when the spin happened... Maybe I was tense because of the previous jump? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #9 July 19, 2010 Quote I did get to see this last jump on video, from what I saw, I LOOKED a lot stiffer than I felt (I felt calm and confused ha) that's for sure, a little ridgid looking. I'm definitely going to go home and try the floor/couch thing, I'll lay there all night until it feels natural! This will be my 3rd time on D1. (First time somehow had a bad exit w/ instructor and we both ended up a propeller on our backs--needless to say no time to work on what were supposed to), then this last time was when the spin happened... Maybe I was tense because of the previous jump? Its probably best to wear yoga pants and a small top, you know, for elasticity. better post pics too, you know, so we can verify you're doing it right "I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Melissa126 0 #10 July 20, 2010 thanks for the motivation everyone! I went out this morning and passed my D1. NO spinning, and had controlled turns ... who knew that not trying so hard would help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jon211 0 #11 July 21, 2010 Thats awesome Melissa. I was potato chipping on my D jumps and after i did my first solo exit I was really able to relax and be stable. Then it felt like it clicked. Sunday night Michelle and I also ended up doing our graduation jumps on a sunset load. Best day of skydiving so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Melissa126 0 #12 July 22, 2010 Congratulations!!! That's awesome. Are you guys jumping this weekend? I'm a little freaked out about the next jump (d2)- only b/c of the solo exit.. I feel like it might take me So long to stabilize that i'll run out of time to do my turns then and have to repeat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mangiapane85 0 #13 July 23, 2010 You're gonna do fine. Maybe even better cuz you won't have the instructors hanging on your arms effecting your exit. You'll be able to focus on good form immediately out of the door. Reading all of your posts, I'm confident you wont have issues. Now go out there and nail it, then let us hear about it! -FEAR IS TEMPORARY...REGRET IS FOREVER! -"People living deeply have no fear of death"- Anais Nin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timmyfitz 0 #14 July 23, 2010 Quote You're gonna do fine. Maybe even better cuz you won't have the instructors hanging on your arms effecting your exit. You'll be able to focus on good form immediately out of the door. Reading all of your posts, I'm confident you wont have issues. Now go out there and nail it, then let us hear about it! Hey Mangiapane85, you haven't made a jump yet, right? You are giving out a lot of advice in several different threads which is surprising since you have never jumped. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mangiapane85 0 #15 July 23, 2010 Oh Gee timmyfitz, I'm sorry that it bothers you that much that I'm trying to encourage someone. Not once in that post did I give "advice." I know my place dude.Pretty much every thread I post in I provide a disclaimer that says i haven't jumped yet, so I'm sure nobody takes any "advice" that I type. So if you're trying to disgruntle me, it won't work. I'm here to learn what I can, and on the weekends I go to my DZ and talk to as many people as i can to learn tangible, non-biased information. Which is what all you experienced jumpers tell us "newbies" to do, right? So please enlighten me... What's it to you if I post something, regardless of what it says? Has it effected your life at all??... Didn't think so.. -FEAR IS TEMPORARY...REGRET IS FOREVER! -"People living deeply have no fear of death"- Anais Nin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #16 July 23, 2010 QuoteI go to my DZ and talk to as many people as i can to learn tangible, non-biased information. Why would what you learn at the DZ be non-biased? It would be wise for you and better for others for you to not give advice on skydiving yet, disclaimers about your status or not. Your enthusiasm is great, but you don't even know what you don't know.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mangiapane85 0 #17 July 23, 2010 It would be non-biased because you're building a relationship with the particular instructors, building trust because you see them on a weekly basis, and you're paying them (very well) for ACCURATE info. THAT'S why it'd be non-biased. Maybe you misunderstood my post. Oops...... I was just saying alot of things on this website should be taken with a grain of salt. For example, when people like me post or anyone posts for that matter, it's merely for conversation ,and for the sharing of opinion. I thought that's what this website was for. Didn't know there was a pre-requisite number of jumps that you had to have before entering discussion. Or maybe you guys are just chumps and have nothing better to do than to try and make me feel bad. All the veterans in the world can jump my ass about posting. I promise, I won't stop until I'm told by a moderator or banned from the site. Which I don't see happening in the foreseeable future due to the fact that I've done nothing wrong. I hope to not ever meet skydivers as big-headed and arrogant as you two. How could any of us new guys learn anything from an instructor if they carried the attitude that you do? For the record, will you guys please fill me in on any and all "advice" or posts that I've put up that was derogatory, inaccurate, stupid, etc.??? I'd just like to know. EDIT: I wanna apologize for the second to last paragraph. I realize that entire post made me sound like a newbie just trying to defend myself. For that I'm sorry. But I DO know my limitations. I'm acutely aware of the fact that there is TONS of stuff that I don't know about this sport/hobby yet. I do only post on threads that I feel I could contribute to. And yes, all i have is literature based knowledge, and conversationally based knowledge. So once again, everybody who reads this, DON'T LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY. lol -FEAR IS TEMPORARY...REGRET IS FOREVER! -"People living deeply have no fear of death"- Anais Nin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #18 July 23, 2010 QuoteIt would be non-biased because you're building a relationship with the particular instructors, building trust because you see them on a weekly basis, and you're paying them (very well) for ACCURATE info. THAT'S why it'd be non-biased. Maybe you misunderstood my post. Oops... Such advice is still subject to being biased. Especially when it comes to advice on the selection of gear. Overall people will still be able to help you become better informed, but gear bias is very pervasive. Even advice on how to improve your skills and emergency procedure can be wrong. Take it easy, tread lightly, try not to be offended, we all just want to have fun and be safe.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mangiapane85 0 #19 July 23, 2010 I understand. I'll keep to myself for a while. I'm just obsessed with this stuff and love TRYING to talk about it. I do have a lot more to learn though before I'm really able to dish out advice. My bad. -FEAR IS TEMPORARY...REGRET IS FOREVER! -"People living deeply have no fear of death"- Anais Nin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timmyfitz 0 #20 July 23, 2010 Quote I do have a lot more to learn though before I'm really able to dish out advice. Correct. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 279 #21 July 23, 2010 Quote I understand. I'll keep to myself for a while. I'm just obsessed with this stuff and love TRYING to talk about it. I do have a lot more to learn though before I'm really able to dish out advice. My bad. It's easy to want to get in on the conversation but since dz is a busy place, it helps to hold back and have some restraint. Sometimes I (2500 jumps) want to write up an answer to something, and then realize that someone else probably can give a better answer. If after a day or two nobody seems to be giving a better answer, then it might be time to chip in in the conversation. We make do with what we have here, and if better answers are there or are likely to come along, one can hold back. Jump numbers obviously are far from the only criteria for the validity of an answer. Usually people have maybe 50 jumps or more before they get so totally into skydiving that they want to be in on every thread. Lately though, the site has gotten well enough known that some people are over-researching the sport. They haven't taken a single jump yet, but they're already asking questions about what kind of chute and jumpsuit they should buy! So this is the next step: You can understand that the guys who have been around a while are rolling their eyes when someone with zero jumps is doling out advice! ... even if they are sincere and researching things and not full of themselves. So... get jumping! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mangiapane85 0 #22 July 23, 2010 ^^^ 10-4.... Day after tomorrow, IAD level 1... Can't wait!! -FEAR IS TEMPORARY...REGRET IS FOREVER! -"People living deeply have no fear of death"- Anais Nin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
