kimmer 0 #1 July 13, 2001 I'm having a difficult time getting support from those close to me about my skydiving. Anyone have any words of encouragement for me, a beginner skydiving chick?Thanks! Luv you all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DivaSkyChick 0 #2 July 13, 2001 You have come to the right place, Kimmer. What's the scoop? Where are you located, what's your story? You might as well spill now, they'll drag it out of you eventually anyway! And check out the thread "skydiving chicks rock boogie" there will be loads of gals to cheer (egg?) you on. Relax, it's a whole new world and everyone in this one WANTS you to succeed. Soft landings,Mandy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #3 July 13, 2001 I am in the same situation but not as bad (only my mom doesn't want me to d it). All i can say is NEVER tell them when someone cuts away and always always tell them how safe it is with all the backups and training. Goodluck!! Remember when Sex was safe and skydiving was Dangerous? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy 0 #4 July 13, 2001 Hey Kimmer,This seems to be a common situation amoungst new people to the sport. Well, rest assured you are on the right track - learning to sky dive that is! My folks initial reaction was not all that good. I actually dragged them out the the DZ last weekend to show them that 'normal' people do skydive. Well, they weren't really normal people, but they weren't wackos either (just a another bunch of fun people). My feeling is once mom & pop saw the gear, the people, the planes, and not every second sky diver was burning in, that they would have a better idea of what is going on. I also pointed them to a few stats on the web so that they could see that skydiving isn't equivalent to Russian Roulette. Who knows what they thought, but I think it made the situation easier for them.Anyhow, my question is why should we care what anyone thinks? People spend too much time getting approval from everyone around them. I suspect I view skydiving as a way to get them all back... Cheers,NewGuy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rhonda66 0 #5 July 13, 2001 Hi -Check out the "skydiving and family" post that Macaulay started....Rhonda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumperpaula 0 #6 July 13, 2001 Happened to me too. Everyone thought I had a death wish. But now that I have some jumps under my belt, My dad will still tell me Im Crazy to my face, but brags to his bud's "my daughter's a skydiver".. On the other hand, there are lot's of sports I think are dangerous and crazy, but I haven't tried them and don't have a passion for them. If my Dad took up drag racing, I might tell him the same he told me. I find it useless to look "outside the sport" for encouragement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
axe96bam 0 #7 July 13, 2001 My folks did not like it much at the beginning either, but now they are kind of proud of me. My dad brags about my jumping everywhere he goes. He even wants to do a tandem. My mother will even consider jumping when I get my tandem rating later on this season. They were both absolutely opposed to my need for jumping out of planes, but their views have changed over time. I always talk about all the safety and have shown them tons of videos of skydiving. They were also impressed with how much I actually needed to learn in order to become a JM. There have been some losses though. I have had 3 cut aways due to non jumping g/fs, but I don't care. I always liked jumping more than I liked them( ha-ha). Just keep jumping and be safe - your folks will learn to live with it and maybe even accept it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicagoskydiver 0 #8 July 13, 2001 My wife hates my skydiving and she almost made me quit the sport. I've heard comments from some other jumpers that it took a couple years for their families to start understanding and even coming out to the dz to watch them jump. Rest assured, you're not alone on this one.Hackey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #9 July 13, 2001 Jumperpaula,Quote If my Dad took up drag racing, I might tell him the same he told me. If ya' drag race and skydive, also, does this make ya REALLY crazy?? FFF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RemiAndKaren 0 #10 July 13, 2001 CUTAWAY CUTAWAY!!!!just kidding... i think... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #11 July 13, 2001 My parents about had heart attacks when I told them what I'd been doing (I had 12 jumps before I said anything). It's taken years for them to get reasonably comfortable with it. It helps that I went 10 years without a major injury, that I became a rigger so I would know the gear better, etc. Today they are very proud of what I've accomplished as a skydiver. Neither one will ever leave a plane in flight, but I think they understand why I do - and they understand why I'm still planning to jump even though I had back surgery.At this point I have more trouble with my best friend - she did 4 jumps, then worked manifest at Perris for a couple of years. She's lost a bunch of skydiver friends over the years and now tells me if I die skydiving she won't come to my funeral. That's kinda harsh; I can understand her point though and I don't talk about skydiving much with her anymore.The best cure for your problem is to start making friends at the dz. Hang out after you jump. Be there for the bonfire/beer gathering in the evenings. As you get to know the jumpers in your area you'll find that encouragement you need - and develop a whole network of people that understand exactly what you are going through! Hang in there kimmer... and keep posting here. This is one of the best groups of jumpers/future jumpers I've ever had the pleasure to hang out with.pull and flare,lisa----I don't think much, therefore I might not be Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #12 July 13, 2001 Here are some wise words of encouragement from a very wise rabbit. When you're feeling unsure of yourself in the jumpplane, or in any other area of life, just sing this little song:Overture, curtains, lights, This is it, the night of nights No more rehearsing and nursing a part We know every part by heart Overture, curtains, lights This is it, you'll hit the heights And oh what heights we'll hit On with the show this is it!!Speed Racer"I think I think, therefore, I think I am, I think!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeekStreak 0 #13 July 13, 2001 Kimmer, I'm sure that your DZ is chock full of support. Go. Jump. Hang out. Meet. Greet. Have a beer or three. Come back here and tell us all about it!1111,GeekStreak Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #14 July 13, 2001 My wife at first hated that I skydive, but now she is totaly supportive. I still havn't convinced that parental units of the fun and saftey of the sport. I also try to tell them of the social aspect of the sport(one of my favorite parts)....and welcome to the family.Marc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #15 July 13, 2001 Hey, lil sis! Told you these guys are the greatest!!!!! Glad you made it here! Everything, EVERYTHING, will be fine. Kimmer is an adorable, courageous and determined young lady. For those of us who jump at Perris, she is the tall slender redhead who still wears student stuff...make sure you come over to her and say hi. She has stood up one landing (yayayayay), and has (what is it now, Kim?) about 8 jumps - several tandems, and is now on level 4. She'll be there later today, so if you get there, make it a point to look her up. (Me too, for that matter).ciel bleu-Michele Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pammi 0 #16 July 13, 2001 Welcome Kimmer! Good luck with your training and feel free to vent/brag/whatever to us! Have fun this weekend!Our webpage Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinister69 0 #17 July 13, 2001 Hey Kimmer, Welcome to the DropZone If you are going out to Perris today, I will probably see you out there again. You probably don't remember me, I was there for Michele's level 4 AFF jump. Was just completing my level 7 and 8. Hope to see you again and keep jumping.Blue Skies!Sinister69http://home.pacbell.net/n1elson1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #18 July 13, 2001 When people give you shit about skydiving (and they will), just think back to when you landed after your very first jump. Remember that 'Phwoaaaaar, Whoooooosh!!!' feeling when you just knew you HAD to go back and do that again? Then just have a little smile on your face, let your eyes glaze over and nod a bit while they go on about how 'crazy' you are..../sPS welcome to the family! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites chicagoskydiver 0 #19 July 13, 2001 LMAO SpeedRacer!!!! Where do you get this stuff?Hackey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DZBone 0 #20 July 13, 2001 Quotea very wise rabbitTechnically, he's a clever bunny. Or, a wascally wabbit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites parduhn 0 #21 July 13, 2001 Hi kimmer,You will find many people outside the skydiving community don't understand that we approaching jumping with a professional manner. When I jump with someone new to me, my first concern is finding out how they "think" about skydiving and safety. Jumping with the right people is a big step in the right direction for safety. Regarding your question, you won't be able to convince anyone (outside of skydivers) that it is safe and sound. The best you can hope for is to reassure them that you have good training, good equipment, a good dive plan, and the proper attitude.Sam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
chicagoskydiver 0 #19 July 13, 2001 LMAO SpeedRacer!!!! Where do you get this stuff?Hackey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZBone 0 #20 July 13, 2001 Quotea very wise rabbitTechnically, he's a clever bunny. Or, a wascally wabbit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
parduhn 0 #21 July 13, 2001 Hi kimmer,You will find many people outside the skydiving community don't understand that we approaching jumping with a professional manner. When I jump with someone new to me, my first concern is finding out how they "think" about skydiving and safety. Jumping with the right people is a big step in the right direction for safety. Regarding your question, you won't be able to convince anyone (outside of skydivers) that it is safe and sound. The best you can hope for is to reassure them that you have good training, good equipment, a good dive plan, and the proper attitude.Sam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
