Brian425 0 #76 December 11, 2003 Treejumps and Ron, You both have valid points. I do not say I am a skydiver to people in an off hand manner. I never really said it out loud to anyone until I had completed my solo. At the same time, I knew I was going to be a skydiver from the moment I stepped out the door on my first tandem. Out of our group of 10 for our first tandem, 2 came back. One started AFF with me and quit due to bad weather (basically he got fed up waiting around for good weather after a 1.5 hour ride) and a lack of patience. I just became closer friends with the other students and my coaches. In a way it was better for me to do this alone. I knew that this was for me. I do not give advice on anything I am not qualified to speak about. One thing I do give advice to students about is fear. It's funny how little fear is discussed during training and I think it's a big part of learning to skydive. Too many students never talk to anyone about being nervous before a jump. When I told anotther student that I a at least a little afraid on every jump his eyes opened wide and he said he felt the same way. When we talked about it, we were able to laugh and smile a little together in the plane on our next jump. It's funny, I think it helped him just to know he was not alone in feeling that way. I still stand by my feeling that a person becomes a skydiver when they make the commitment to the sport. You are a racer the first day you line up. You may not be a good one; but, you are a racer. You are a skydiver the first time you jump out of the plane with a rig on your back. I may not be a great skydiver right now. I may never be a great skydiver. I will tell you right now I am a skydiver. I will work hard at being safe and not putting anyone in danger. I will improve in this sport. And I will spend the time and money necessary to learn to be a better skydive. My goal is to become a very safe and consistent skydiver. I will continue to educate myself about skydiving. I think that if anyone can say the samething, then I think they are a skydiver. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #77 December 11, 2003 QuoteI'm sorry, I'm just a little fired up today. (And don't you men DARE blame it on PMS!) You'd probably be happier if your house was a little cleaner. Admit it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #78 December 11, 2003 QuoteI present that there are some that have not yet made a jump, have not even considered it yet... but are skydivers. Good news for virgins who want to call themselves porn stars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #79 December 11, 2003 Whoa, for a second I thought you knew me. I'm a complete slob. Then I got it, and . . . hey . . . wait a minute . . . That's a woman joke! Misogynistic pig! P.S. All women aren't slow like me . . . I'm special. Kelly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goose491 0 #80 December 11, 2003 QuoteYou know, I think I'm the opposite. It wasn't until I did my first solo that I decided that it WAS for me. Graduating AFF and doing an uninstructed jump, for me, it was like I had a personal vendetta. I couldn't quit until I had accomplished my goal, but as soon as I did that solo, I felt like "part of the crowd". And now that I'm going on group jumps and having a blast playing in the sky with other people, I'm feeling more and more like a skydiver everyday. Just a little non-angry rant for ya. Kelly Right on Kelly. I'm in your boat. It only got better and better for me from my first jump. I didn't consider myself a skydiver until I had done my first solo delay (I did static line progression). After giving much thought to the nature of this "crowd" or "family" however, I now think skydivers are born so and 'discover' their love for the sport rather then 'develop' one. There's much to be said about the adrenaline junkie... it's been said that people that are into extreme sports generally have physically larger receptors for chemicals such as Adrenaline, Dopamine and Serotonin. That type of thing is programmed right into you at conception. Again, just another (cool) way to look at it. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadRash 0 #81 December 11, 2003 I completely agree with Brian in terms of encouragement, kind words, and most important, a smile!~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
captainpooby 0 #82 December 11, 2003 QuoteJust a question that I know will stir the pot a little; yet, somehow I feel compelled to ask. Kat69's post about sexuality has brought some opinions out that I have never really heard here. At what point are you a skydiver? I have only 13 jumps. I have completed my AFF and I am working on my A. The weather and some unfortunate work circumstances put me on hold for the winter. I consider myself a skydiver. Yes I am a newbie and I will have to pay my dues and learn; but, I feel that I am 100% a skydiver. I don't that jump numbers alone constitute a skydiver. In my opinion, a person becomes a skydiver when they make the commitment to learn and grow in the sport. I have bought a rig and my gear and I have made a commitment to attend canopy control school in the spring. This is a sport that I am commited to and I intend to do my best to become a safe and skilled skydiver. I have also been very lucky in where I chose to go through AFF. Everyone I have met has been nice to me. I truly mean EVERYONE. Maybe it's just my DZ, maybe it's how I treat other people. Either way, going to the DZ, even on days when I could not jump, was enjoyable. I think everyone who made comments about people who have only done a tandem or two should look back at there first days in the sport. It's amazing how far a little compassion or a kind word to a new person goes. I truly believe that it could make the difference between a one jump thrill seeker and a person who says maybe I should come back and try this again. As silly as it sounds other students looked up to me when was getting ready to do my first solo. They seemed to think that I was some highly skilled skydiver. I was just a nervous guy standing around in a student rig, wondering if I had the ability to do this alone. We all started somewhere. In my opinion, you will gain far more respect if you give respect. We all learned to ride a bicycle, drive a car and skydive. No I am not qualified to give a new person advice on gear or how to skydive. I think I am highly qualified to give them words of encouragement, a smile and some help dealing with their fears. I am not saying that you should set out the welcome wagon for every student that passes through. Just say hello and give them a chance as a person. You might be surpised at what you find. A diamond looks like every other rock until it is cut cleaned and polished. Brian I believe skydivers are born, not made. Its something inside you that find after you make your first jump. Its pretty hard to MAKE yourself a skydiver if you dont have that something in you already. Most instructors who have been around a while will agree with me, I think. I have over 2000 tandem jumps and I have said to each and everyone: "Thank you for letting me share that with you." Bill Morrissey gave me that line when he taught my tandem course. I forget jumps I did yesterday, but I will never forget my first and I still appreciate how special an event it is. Skydiving is more of a lifestyle and an attitude than a hobby or a sport. If its in you, you already know it. Welcome to our world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bvsdjumper 0 #83 December 11, 2003 From the time you exit the plane until the time you land, only then, are you a skydiver. Any other time, you're just some guy on the ground wishing you were skydiving. --ArtSky-div'ing (ski'div'ing) n. A modern sport that involves parties, bragging, sexual excesses, the imbibing of large quantities of beer, and, on rare occasions, parachuting from aircraft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #84 December 11, 2003 QuoteMisogynistic pig! Hey! How unfair is that to pigs? They don't want to get stereotyped as being like me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #85 December 11, 2003 You're truely a skydiver after you've bought beer. There's definitely something to be said for learning humility. For those who argue, "eh, jump out of an airplane and you're a skydiver.." I ask you this, how would you feel about someone doing a tandem, and then buying a closing pin necklace, wearing it all the time, but never going back to the dropzone? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #86 December 11, 2003 It's like cars. I have passengers who say that they've ridden in my car, but they don't say they are a car driver. My dad doesn't drive anymore, but he could. People who think about driving a car, would enjoy it, and have the proper attitude... but have not driven the car, are not car drivers. I drove my first car, by myself, on the road, at age 12. I was a car driver. When you drive the car, you are in control. You handle the various emergencies that could happen. Those are my definitions for who is a car driver and who is not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflygoddess 0 #87 December 11, 2003 nice! So what makes a freeflying badger a freeflying badger? Oh that would be me! I am both the goddess of freeflying and badger #1 I think I have the right to name who is and isn't a freeflying badger....lol.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver51 0 #88 December 11, 2003 Why not call them Jumpers until they progress to solo freefall, then call them skydivers??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #89 December 11, 2003 QuoteMisogynistic pig! Please... we managed this discussion without personal attacks... lets not start it. The poor pigs have got nothing top do with this..... As far as skydivers.... when we talk to whuffos, Karen and I typically say we skydive, not that we're skydivers...Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
selbbub78 0 #90 December 11, 2003 Quote I met Jonny1488, Selbub, and Nullified at my DZ from here. They all welcomed me as if I was a new friend they had not yet met. It went a long way to convince me to keep me going in this sport during the crappy summer weekends we had. Awww, that's sweet of ya brian, can't wait to jump with ya in the sky It's always good giving advice to the point of keeping students from being TOO nervous. I was very nervous about 2 of my jumps when i was unlicenced, and it seems to calm people a little bit to see a friendly face, and your stories that you went though. At least that's what I seem to find. And to think of it this way, most people are too chicken to even try skydiving, so to them, with just a few jumps (or even a lot), you're a skydiver. It's all good. blue skies,"Women fake orgasms - men fake whole relationships" – Sharon Stone "The world is my dropzone" (wise crewdog quote) "The light dims, until full darkness pierces into the world."-KDM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #91 December 11, 2003 QuoteSo what makes a freeflying badger a freeflying badger? Oh that would be me! I am both the goddess of freeflying and badger #1 I think I have the right to name who is and isn't a freeflying badger....lol.... Since you are the firstest, you are the bestest. You get to decide. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #92 December 11, 2003 QuotePlease... we managed this discussion without personal attacks... lets not start it. The poor pigs have got nothing top do with this... LMAO There have been a lot of promises made based on the "I'll do ... when pigs fly." I'm thinking that there's going to be some busy people once this gets out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 2 #93 December 11, 2003 From first jump (Tandem) until jump seven I was a student. Once off student status, until I got my A Card stamped I was aspiring to become a Skidiver.Once I had that stamp I became a Skydiver! I saw it this way. Until I could go to any drop zone and show them my log book and my license etc then hop on a plane and jump the fuck out I wasn't truly a skydiver. Just aspiring to be one. MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflygoddess 0 #94 December 11, 2003 QuoteQuoteSo what makes a freeflying badger a freeflying badger? Oh that would be me! I am both the goddess of freeflying and badger #1 I think I have the right to name who is and isn't a freeflying badger....lol.... Since you are the firstest, you are the bestest. You get to decide. You forgot to meantion the hottest Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #95 December 11, 2003 Quote You forgot to meantion the hottest Didn't forget. If I was to mention the obvious, you'd get tired of reading that, wouldn't ya? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #96 December 11, 2003 Quote For those who argue, "eh, jump out of an airplane and you're a skydiver.." I ask you this, how would you feel about someone doing a tandem, and then buying a closing pin necklace, wearing it all the time, but never going back to the dropzone? I think anyone who wears those pins is a poser, "real" skydivers included. Of course, that's just my personal reaction to people who have to show off how stinking cool they are, combined with how stupid I think those necklaces are. I've never cared for shark's teeth necklaces either. Pins are different. :) -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #97 December 11, 2003 QuoteI think anyone who wears those pins is a poser, "real" skydivers included. Of course, that's just my personal reaction to people who have to show off how stinking cool they are I don't wear a closing pin necklace to show anyone how "cool" I am. I wear it because it's a symbol of what my life is all about - just like people wear crosses, Star of Davids, pentagrams, etc as symbols of their religious beliefs. Most of the time it ends up inside my shirt anyway... If that makes me a poser in your eyes, so be it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #98 December 11, 2003 Quote In Reply To -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think anyone who wears those pins is a poser, "real" skydivers included. Of course, that's just my personal reaction to people who have to show off how stinking cool they are -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't wear a closing pin necklace to show anyone how "cool" I am. I wear it because it's a symbol of what my life is all about - just like people wear crosses, Star of Davids, pentagrams, etc as symbols of their religious beliefs. Most of the time it ends up inside my shirt anyway... I agree. VERY few whuffos even know what the closing pin is, so we're not "showing everyone how cool we are". It's a way for skydivers to recognize each other. So yes, I would have a problem with a one-tandem jumper wearing one, but as for the rest of us, I think it's cool that we have our own little "inside" thing. Kind of like those stickers I see on cars that I really don't understand: the word "Remember" with a piece of wheat or something under it. It's a special way to recognize someone you have something in common with. Kelly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #99 December 11, 2003 I consider someone a skydiver if they finish complete AFF. I think that so many people only do one jump, or a couple, and give up and don't come back. I don't think you're a skydiver just because you did a tandem or two. Until your life is in your hands out there, you're a student. there was one chick in Sebastian who has done like 100 tandems. I still don't consider her a skydiver. She is a passenger who likes a thrill,... kinda like a carnival goer. jmo. Angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LivingInClip 0 #100 December 11, 2003 Am I a skydiver? I started out on a tandem within in one week I started AFF . Why? I have always had an urge to skydive and once I done it, I realized how much I loved it. The freedom and the responsiblity at the same time. You're free to fly through the air but you are responsible for your own life. Do I have to complete AFF to be considered a "skydiver"? Or do I need to simply intend to make more jumps and continue to grow in the sport? Honestly, I don't care. I consider myself a skydiver and I intend to keep jumping and learning. Just like if someone played football, I'd consider them a football player. And at my DZ , I've been treated like part of the group. People I haven't met, see me gear up and then ask me if I'm doin' AFF and what level I'm on. They congradulate me and offer me tips. They treat me as if I'm a skydiver. The only people I don't consider skydivers are one's who will never jump and those who do a tandem once and walk away without the slightest interest. If you do a tandem and you're in love with the sport and have to do it more and more, than you, my friend are a skydiver and welcome to the obsession...err...sport! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
