I'm scared to jump...

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Thanks, everyone.

I'm just going to continue to fly what my canopy coach, Jonathon Tagle recommends. Thanks! I should be ok on a 170 and 150, next. I will be wearing about 14-21 lbs. of lead, when flying due to needing lead with the BIG guys for 4-way. (I've only jumped three days so far, so give me a break with the downsizing, already!)

Giaaaa...love ya! Thank you for your rig, girl.

[MarkM 0]

Doesn't sound like your afraid of jumping, just afraid of jumping gear you know isn't right for you.

I'm guessing that your new rig is going to have a main that you need to downsize to with some borrowed/rental rigs? If so, just rationalize it out that jumping the larger stuff is an acceptable risk to reach the goal of your own gear.

Just think about that brand new, custom fit, awesome looking container and how hot you'll be in it and how comfortable it'll be. If you target on a goal, it's easier to manage bad stuff in the short term because you know it'll be gone when you hit that goal.

[skydemon2 0]

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Thanks, everyone.

I'm just going to continue to fly what my canopy coach, Jonathon Tagle recommends.

You little name dropper you
Do whatever makes you feel safe, I put my 2 sense in thats all.

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[skybytch 273]

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I'm just going to continue to fly what my canopy coach, Jonathon Tagle recommends.

That's a really good plan.

If the harness fit problem is enough to make you scared to jump, it's okay to wait for the custom one to arrive if the used one doesn't fit. Once you have a harness that fits I doubt you'll be this scared.

Regarding turbulence - You're going to still feel it under a 150. It scares me too. Skydiving is supposed to be fun and I'm not having fun when I'm bouncing around in turbulence. I solve that problem by not jumping when it's bumpy up there.

[jtval 0]

RO,
If you are scared under canopy do what I do.

I close my eyes.
All you have to do is lesting for the screaming people, once you hear them...flare!

Sorry I don't have any real advice. its something you'll either have to overcome or avoid doing. Hope you can overcome your fear. don't let it push you into a corner. if you let one fear debilitate you than there will eventually be another.get face to face with it and kick its ass, ok.


(now my fear is legit. I fear waking up without my penis .If I come face to face with that I would hurt my back)

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[rmsmith 1]

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I love skydiving. I don't want to stop, but I HATE feeling this kind of fear and dread. It's not the way that I can comfortably skydive. Frown How can I stop these mind games? I am so unhappy with myself about all of this.

At least you're honest with yourself and others, which is a virtue in life as well as skydiving. I'd say that you should stick with skydivers that instill confidence and safety, and avoid those who will take you on skydives that are way over your skill level. BTW, be sure to post some pix of that custom fit Javelin!

[champu 1]

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Thanks, everyone.

I'm just going to continue to fly what my canopy coach, Jonathon Tagle recommends.

You little name dropper you

Haha, that was a pretty blatent nizzle drop of the Tizzle.

What size container are you getting? (i.e. what canopy size do you need to borrow down to until you can use your custom rig? 135? 120?)

I have a sabre 135 you can borrow if you need it along the way, even if not right away.

[tbrown 26]

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Not everyone can afford to buy custom for the first rig, including me. I am getting one, now. It's not coming overnight, though. I need a rig now and need to downsize my mains, first.

The usual advice is not to buy new gear for a first rig, but Rosa you're so tiny you make an exception to the rule. You need a harness that's built for you.

I bet if you talk to Jonathan, he can recommend a range of canopy sizes that could fit in the same container - lots of rigs will accomodate a downsize or two, so that should last you for plenty of years. And then your reserve will probably be for keeps anyway. Yeah, talk to Jonathan and ask for his help planning out a rig, because you won't feel good until your rig feels good.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[skydemon2 0]

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Thanks, everyone.

I'm just going to continue to fly what my canopy coach, Jonathon Tagle recommends.

You little name dropper you

Haha, that was a pretty blatent nizzle drop of the Tizzle.

What size container are you getting? (i.e. what canopy size do you need to borrow down to until you can use your custom rig? 135? 120?)

I have a sabre 135 you can borrow if you need it along the way, even if not right away.

yeah like hey thanks for taking the time to give me your advise but who the hell are you?, you dont know anything. world champion JT is my coach.....

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

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Haha, that was a pretty blatent nizzle drop of the Tizzle.

Of course, I posted his name, not necessarily for Skydemon, but because I didn't want a further debate with ANYONE else on my downsizing progression. I will decide that with Jonathon, not anyone else.

Thanks Ryan, but I'm not ready for the 135, yet. Maybe after a couple hundred jumps.

I'll see you this weekend!

[champu 1]

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yeah like hey thanks for taking the time to give me your advise but who the hell are you?, you dont know anything. world champion JT is my coach.....

I obviously can't speak for her, but I don't think that's what she meant. It did sound kinda bad though.

I think her problem is less centered around big canopies and turbulance and more about sloshing around in the harness. To the best of my knowledge she's been sticking to the calmer winds in the mornings and the evenings.

I like a rig that's pretty snug fitting, like I'm getting a hug. I've jumped a couple non-articulated rigs that weren't made for me and I felt more like I was getting molested. It can make for a weird canopy ride.

[AggieDave 6]

The quick fix for canopy fear is to go do some altitude clear and pulls with an experienced jumper who is experienced with flying relative to other canopies. You don't have to actually do CReW, but its a hell of a lot of fun to fly next to other canopies. Play chase or "follow me" and that experienced pilot (on a similar canopy and wingloading) can make you fly your canopy in a large number of configurations.

The more saddle time you have the better you'll be. The better you are the more comfortable you'll be.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[skydemon2 0]

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yeah like hey thanks for taking the time to give me your advise but who the hell are you?, you dont know anything. world champion JT is my coach.....

I obviously can't speak for her, but I don't think that's what she meant. It did sound kinda bad though.

I think thats exactly what she meant

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[Zipp0 1]

I tried to think of something helpful, but all I could think about was how hot petite women are.....sorry!

Oh...wait.... I rock out to "Radar Love" singing and speeding like a maniac on the way to the DZ. Maybe try that?

Zipp0

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[skydemon2 0]

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Haha, that was a pretty blatent nizzle drop of the Tizzle.

Of course, I posted his name, not necessarily for Skydemon, but because I didn't want a further debate with ANYONE else on my downsizing progression. I will decide that with Jonathon, not anyone else.

Its funny that you think posting jt's name will make everyone go ooooh my gawd she has jt as a coach I quess my opinion and experience doesnt matter ill just keep my mouth shut. jt has good skills obviously but do you actually think if you drop his name ill (or anyone else who posted) be in awe and just shut up? he is very good at what he does and if he offered me advise Id take it, but dont think him being him negates all my experience or the others that posted here. You asked for advise on how to get over your fear of flying a canopy you said you didnt like it when you hit turbulance and it bounced you around, I said get a smaller caonpy with a little more wing loading to give you a smoother ride. If you dont want to or if you arent ready to yet fine but please dont ever think throwing a big name out there will ever make me think my opinions or the opinions of the otheres dont matter.

while I was ranting on I came up with a solution to both the problems if you put yourself on a 5000 calorie a day diet you will soon fill out any harness and it will up your wing loading!! You must get tired of all that lead!

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[karenmeal 0]

I think it is very reasonable that Rosa didn't want to take downsizing advice from a stranger over the internet.

And to Rosa. If canopy control is what is worrying you, I think the solution is to do lots of hop and pops. Maybe you can get out to the DZ on some quieter days when there will be less canopy traffic. Try to arrive early in the morning on a weekday and get on the first load. Winds should be more calm at that time of day. The more stressful variables you can eliminate (turbulent winds, canopy traffic, rushed atmosphere, people watching) the more you can focus on building your confidence under canopy. Don't push yourself and jump when the environment isn't perfect for you. If the winds have you a little nervous, don't jump. You don't need to have a minor landing issue that ruins your confidence. If you're not feeling confident/calm, you won't perform as well.

Oh.. and practice deliberate breathing under canopy. When I get a little hyped up from a zoo dive or wild opening I make sure that I focus on calming down under canopy by taking deep breaths. And then I give myself a pep talk.

I hope this was the sort of advice you were looking for.. I didn't read the whole thread

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[skydemon2 0]

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I think it is very reasonable that Rosa didn't want to take downsizing advice from a stranger over the internet.

And to Rosa. If canopy control is what is worrying you, I think the solution is to do lots of hop and pops. Maybe you can get out to the DZ on some quieter days when there will be less canopy traffic. Try to arrive early in the morning on a weekday and get on the first load. Winds should be more calm at that time of day. The more stressful variables you can eliminate (turbulent winds, canopy traffic, rushed atmosphere, people watching) the more you can focus on building your confidence under canopy. Don't push yourself and jump when the environment isn't perfect for you. If the winds have you a little nervous, don't jump. You don't need to have a minor landing issue that ruins your confidence. If you're not feeling confident/calm, you won't perform as well.

Oh.. and practice deliberate breathing under canopy. When I get a little hyped up from a zoo dive or wild opening I make sure that I focus on calming down under canopy by taking deep breaths. And then I give myself a pep talk.

I hope this was the sort of advice you were looking for.. I didn't read the whole thread

I just offered my advise I dont really care if she takes it or not if shes not ready to downsize dont .... it was the whole my coach is jt thing that irked me

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[karenmeal 0]

Personally, I would never give anyone specific downsizing advice over the internet. I would tell them, "Don't exceed this or that" but I would never tell them to jump a smaller canopy.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[skydemon2 0]

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Personally, I would never give anyone specific downsizing advice over the internet. I would tell them, "Don't exceed this or that" but I would never tell them to jump a smaller canopy.

I didnt tell her to go out and load a canopy to the max I said a small increase in wingloading might help smooth out the bumps, she has a coach (jt by the way) she obviously has discussed it and feels shes not ready... end of story as far as my advise goes

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

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I think it is very reasonable that Rosa didn't want to take downsizing advice from a stranger over the internet.

And to Rosa. If canopy control is what is worrying you, I think the solution is to do lots of hop and pops. Maybe you can get out to the DZ on some quieter days when there will be less canopy traffic. Try to arrive early in the morning on a weekday and get on the first load. Winds should be more calm at that time of day. The more stressful variables you can eliminate (turbulent winds, canopy traffic, rushed atmosphere, people watching) the more you can focus on building your confidence under canopy. Don't push yourself and jump when the environment isn't perfect for you. If the winds have you a little nervous, don't jump. You don't need to have a minor landing issue that ruins your confidence. If you're not feeling confident/calm, you won't perform as well.

Thanks Karen, and that is exactly what I've been doing.

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Skydemon, I've thanked you in a prior post and in a PM from much earlier.

I want to stick with what I had asked advice for originally. I want advice for the mental, not the physical part of skydiving/canopy flight. I am trying to work through my fears.

Quoting my prior posts:

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"It's really mostly mental..."

"How can I stop these mind games?"

"I wish that I could just feel confidence RIGHT NOW."

"I want to know if anyone else went through this, and I want to hear how they've resolved their fears of jumping."

I just want to get over the mental fear. Thanks!

[DancesWClouds 0]

I played on stage with Steve Miller in Madison Wisconsin.

Oops. My bad.

[jtval 0]

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.. it was the whole my coach is jt thing that irked me

The first time you posted that I though you were refering to me. LOL

I was like "OUCH, Do I sense some hostility for making a joke."
now I see that it wasn't me but there is still hostility.

I'm ok with that



EDIT BTW- I have NO IDEA why My fingers typed LESTING when I meant LISTEN. MAn, I really gotta start reading my own posts before i hit "post"
"All you have to do is lesting for the screaming people, once you hear them...flare!"

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[flyinghonu 0]

Ro:

I know what you are feeling. Canopy flight has always been the hardest part of skydiving for me. Like you, I took a canopy course and it really did wonders for me - learning the actual physics of what the wing does and what I am doing to it.

I agree with others here, I'm not so sure it's the actual canopy flight that is worrying you more than the canopy flight under the current gear you have.

There is absolutely no pressure to jump today or tomorrow if you don't feel comfortable with that gear. I know you want to jump but you should also feel as comfortable as possible during all sequences of the jump.

See you in a few hours & we'll chat more - drive safe

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

That's a great idea, but i think that i'll wait a bit to try some crew. Thanks, Dave!