newbie boogie tips

[antifnsocial 0]

Yes, I saw a thread similar to this but was slightly different...
maybe some things have changed too.
What should we newbies know and keep in mind?

Jump-wise and socially!
I get to go to my first soon and I know I am not the only one.
I am SOOOOOO excited. The East is finally warming up!!! Yeah!!

(Ella doing somersaults, cartwheels, handsprings and backlflips.)

YIPPEE! Yeah, my next client is kind of looking at me weird now.

Please feel free to reply to my posts and pm's, but only if you're smart enough to understand what they really mean.

[NWFlyer 2]

Oooh, good thread as I'm about to head to my one too (now that "Spring Fling" has been upgraded to an official boogie).

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[vdschoor 0]

I think the most important part of going to a boogie (specially when it is a big one) is to be current, not just jumping, but also on YOUR gear..

Of course, a lot of times going to a boogie means more people, bigger planes e.a. so be very careful in the air, expect the unexpected (people NOT following traffic patterns and things like that)

Overall? Watch over your shoulder at all times, be careful! And of course, make sure you have fun, cause that's what boogies are really are about.. the jumping is just an extra... right?

[bmcd308 0]

Look up billvon's "surviving the WFFC" post from way back.

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www.jumpelvis.com

[Amanduh 0]

Hey sweetie..I just went to my first "boogie" away from my home DZ...so here's some things I picked up..they MIGHT help you...<--that was my disclaimer

*Find out what altitude is appropriate to pull at. At my home DZ it is not usually a big deal to pull around 4-4500. We have lots of people that do it, they are just sure to tell us. I was told at Dublin, do not pull above 3500...It wasn't a problem for me..but it is definately something worth asking.

*KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL!!!! Seriously...I come from a very "safe" demanding dropzone. Keep in mind that not everyone there came from where you did, and might not have the same training. Watch your traffic under canopy...I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.

*Be sure to look VERY GOOD for people in free fall before pulling. As I said, you do not know what kind of training (exit separation) others have....Something I experienced 1st hand when I was there...

*Be sure you are aware of what landing pattern is established and follow it. But like I said..KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE OTHER CANOPY TRAFFIC...Not everyone will follow the "established pattern".

*Do not be afraid to express concern if you do not feel comfortable with a jump because of other jumpers experience level or # of jumpers on the dive. IT IS YOUR LIFE...Stand up for it.

And most importantly...HAVE FUN SWEETIE!!!

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[dunesurfer 0]

Study the landing area and expected traffic patterns, hazards, etc.
Learn where the safe "outs' are.
Know if the dz you are visiting has unique weather (think dust devils)
know the altitude at the new LZ... is it higher than you are used to? lower? the same?
Be sure your reserve is up to date

[kelel01 1]

Everything that they said, particularly the "head on a swivel" thing.

Also, watch out for creeps. They're quite prevalent at boogies, and you don't know them because you're out of your element. One of my friends was basically stalked by a guy for the duration of a boogie, and I think it was a good thing that we didn't leave her alone. He was going into people's tents with flashlights looking for her.

This might not apply to whatever one you're going to right now, but it will eventually. Just be safe.

AND HAVE FUN!

[flyangel2 2]

Good point, I was going to bring some thing along the lines of that.

Antifnsocilal:

Always have a buddie that you watch out for with eachother. You know how it goes, you start doing jello shots and the next thing you know, you got some creep hanging around. Having a buddie system will keep you from being alone with the creep.

After dark, never walk back to your "home" alone. If you aren't sharing your tent with anyone, make sure you set up near someone you know.



Skydiving:

Eyes open at all times. Under canopy can get scary if there are more then one aircraft in the air.

Think ahead in case you get a bad spot. Look behind you, there might be an open field there.

If you are doing a solo skydive, check in with some one before you do your jump, and check back in with the same person after you have gotten back.

If your cell phone fits in your jumpsuit, take it with you on the jumps. Know who to call if you land off.

If you are not comfortable jumping with a larger number of people, then don't let peer pressure lead you down a path you don't want to go.


Drink lots of water, cause you know you're going to party and stay up late and then get up early the next morning.

There are tons of tips, and I'm sure other's will add to the thread.

Have fun.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[pyke 0]

*Drink LOTS of water....

trust me - your liver will thank you!!


*wear sunscreen & shades & full-brim hats

*bring a chair and a tarp (in case packing space becomes an issue)

*bring rain/wet weather clothes (yes - JUST IN CASE)

*bring condoms (if not for you - then someone else)

BE SAFE, HAVE FUN, TALK TO EVERYONE

oh - and a small digital camera wouldn't hurt...never know when blackmail will come in handy!!

Kahurangi e Mahearangi,
Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

[gemini 0]

The tips should be split between Skydiving and After Hours. I will keep mine to Skydiving since I am no expert in after hours...right Trent?

1. Make sure your gear is in good shape and your reserve repack is in date till after the end of the boogie.
2. Review the landing area(s) and find out where the windsocks are located.
3. Check for outs by asking the locals, prior participants, organizers, etc.
4. If you are from a Cessna DZ, there will be a lot more jumpers in the air than you are used to so keep your head on a swivel.
5. Clear your air after deployment to avoid other canopies.
6. Follow the boogie landing pattern rules. They may differ from your home dz's rules.
7. Get the phone number of the boogie in case you land off.
8. Check with the balloon pilot AND the chase van to determine if anyone is going to pick you up after you jump from the balloon. Some chase vans will not go back to pick you up!
9. Bring extra rubber bands or tube stows, closing loops, pull up cords. Be prepared to be self sufficient if you have to.
10. Extra jumpsuit, weights and faceplates for your helmet can really come in handy too if you are into larger RW formations.
11. Have plenty of ice and water to share. At some boogies they can be scarce or hard to find.
12. Visit your equipment manufacturers and introduce yourself. They like meeting the jumpers who are using their products.

Most of all have fun, but be safe!

Blue skies,

Jim

[Kris 0]

In the Safety area, there's a whole section on Boogie Safety.
http://www.dropzone.com/safety/

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[Thanatos340 1]

Jumpwise -
Like everyone said - Keep your head on a Swivel. Avoid landing with all the hotshots. See if there is a nearby alternate/Beginner Area and land there if at all possible.

Careful what Jumps you get on. I truly believe that Women get invited on Jumps they may not be ready for much more often than men. Watch out for this and Know when to say no thanks.

Socially -
Try not to get too Drunk.

Have a Buddy that will get you away from the Dogs. (also make sure the Buddy knows when you don’t want to get away!!)

Drink Water and take Aspirin before you go to bed.

Don’t be shy. Walk up everyone and ask who they are and where they jump. Boogies are all about meeting new people.

Finally.. Beware of any guy handing out jello shots... he may be just trying to get you drunk enough to show your Boobies!!

[bdbrown 0]

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Finally.. Beware of any guy handing out jello shots... he may be just trying to get you drunk enough to show your Boobies!!

Or paint them

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[DrunkMonkey 0]

Motrin.
Bottled Water.
Powerbars.
Condoms.
Hibachi for grilling.
Food.

[livendive 8]

Study the aerial photos if they're available. Upon opening, if you find yourself lost for a few minutes, follow everyone else till you get your bearings. Also know where the outs are. If you're new and doing something relatively small there's a good chance you'll be towards the front of the plane which might have you far enough out that flying the wrong way for 30 seconds is the difference between landing in the landing area and landing out.

Learn any maximum opening altitudes, hazards, farmer mcnasty areas, and the landing pattern before getting on a load.

Don't let folks talk you into jumps that you suspect are a bit over your head. This goes especially for women jumpers.

Don't try too many new things at once.

Let hangovers subside to a tolerable level before jumping.

If any instructors or "senior" jumpers from your DZ are there, try to hang out with them at least at first, and maybe run what you're doing by them throughout the day. You want someone to miss you if something goes wrong.

A buddy-system for the social life is probably a good idea, at least for women.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[Frenchy68 0]

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Don't let folks talk you into jumps that you suspect are a bit over your head.

I second that.

Oh, and don't eat yellow snow.

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

[cocheese 0]

...and watch out for that Cocheese guy. I heard he only talks to women.

[vdschoor 0]

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...and watch out for that Cocheese guy. I heard he only talks to women.

And only ABOUT women too.. and about what women want, what women like, what women think... damn he even jumps with women, and I have evidence of it He's one to watch out for

[skinnyshrek 0]

Know the owner of the campers phone number for admission

http://www.skydivethefarm.com

do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM?

[weegegirl 2]

Beware of the Flying Hellfish.

[Keith 0]

Am I the only one who keeps reading the subject line as newbie boobie tips?

Keith

Don't Fuck with me Keith - J. Mandeville

[NWFlyer 2]

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Am I the only one who keeps reading the subject line as newbie boobie tips?

Are you sure that "going straight" was an April Fools' Joke?

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Keith 0]

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Are you sure that "going straight" was an April Fools' Joke?

I know, I know

Keith

Don't Fuck with me Keith - J. Mandeville

[Andrewwhyte 1]

Watch your gear, especially on the last day of the boogie.

[Evelyn 0]

I would say what other people have said, and add to that have a current photo for your avatar so that people will recognize you and come up and introduce themselves (looks like you have that). Since I'm pretty shy and won't go up to people I don't know it helped me to have people recognize me from my avatar and come to me and introduce themselves.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller