Practise Practise

[14000andfalling 0]

I'm starting my RAPS Static course in a few weeks and while i'm sure i'll learn everything on the course, i'd like to know if there's things I can practise now in the meantime that might benefit my performance and progression?
I've been reading the Skydiver's handbook and trying to take in as much as I can, but at this early stage what should I be looking to practise?
I figured some time spent lying on the table practising my Arch position, some PLF's in the garden and drilling the counts into my head would be a good place to start.

At the end of the day when I get to the course i'm gonna keep my mouth shut and eyes and ears open, but if there's anything that can be suggested in terms of home practise I'd appreciate it.

[brettski74 0]

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I figured some time spent lying on the table practising my Arch position, some PLF's in the garden and drilling the counts into my head would be a good place to start.

Seriously, the best place to start, IMHO, is with your instructor. You *may* be able to pick up some useful stuff from reading a book and practising what you think are the correct procedures, movements and positions on your own, but you're just as likely to practise something that's wrong, either outright, or perhaps for the specific equipment you may end up using in your course. Skydiving is a relatively safe pasttime when everything goes right, but if anything does go wrong, do you really want to be confused by contradictory things that you've been practising at home and then told by your instructor on your course?

Try to talk to your instructor and have him/her watch you do stuff before you practise it at home, then at least you can be comfortable that you're probably practising the right thing.

[14000andfalling 0]

Well, that certainly makes sense to me.
Thanks for that.

[damion75 0]

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I'm starting my RAPS Static course in a few weeks and while i'm sure i'll learn everything on the course, i'd like to know if there's things I can practise now in the meantime that might benefit my performance and progression?

Of course, since you have not started yet you don't really have an instructor to ask...

I recommend that you don't worry about it too much. If you want to practise anything, practise breathing exercises to relax you! Anything else would probably be looking too far into the future.

Don't worry - they'll make sure that you know what to do before you get out of the plane!

***************

Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

[beowulf 1]

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keep my mouth shut and eyes and ears open

Instead try keeping your eyes and ears open and ask lots of questions. Asking lots of questions is most important. That way you make sure you have a clear understanding of what you instructor is trying to teach you.

[14000andfalling 0]

Thanks guys.
I actually made my first Tandem a few weeks ago and everything they said about breathing nice and slow and 'hanging loose' prior to the exit really made it all more enjoyable.
As soon as we were out and stable that was it for me...Hooked!
I did learn a lot on that day but i'm really looking forward to being 'under silk' solo for the first time.
Having watched a few static line jump videos it definately seems that the jumpers with the cleanest exits are the ones who's mains open nice and clean without the twist.
Damn, I can't wait!

[hookitt 1]

Don't practice anything until you are taught what to do. It almost never helps until you are taught properly.

Several students that have memorized and practiced the dive flows required quite a bit of retraining to get them prepared.

Have fun.

Good luck!

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto