kkeenan 14 #26 September 27, 2006 I think Mr. Cat has applied way more thought and circumspection to his choice of DZs than most prospective students. He has also stood up to a good deal of shit thrown by some of the members of this site. He has tried to explain himself and has hung around rather than telling some of these folks to fuck off. That probably deserves a bit of respect in itself. We get used to people asking dumdass questions here and (even worse) offering their opinions about things outside of their experience. That always gets people riled up. Mr. Cat has been a little different. He has stated his observations - that which he has seen through a whuffo's eyes - and asked about the meaning of some of these things. I salute Mr. Cat for for his perserverance and I hope he has a good time learning to skydive. Just remember, Cat, all of our internet voices should not count nearly as much in your education as good instructors who know your strengths, weaknesses, and habits, and can explain things in person. There is an expression in skydiving - "Blue skies, Black Death". It means that along with it's beauty, fun and wonderment, skydiving is still deadly dangerous to those who do not respect its hazards. Kevin K._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #27 September 27, 2006 Quote He has also stood up to a good deal of shit thrown by some of the members of this site. He has tried to explain himself and has hung around rather than telling some of these folks to fuck off. That probably deserves a bit of respect in itself. To a point. With some of the unnecessary and defensive responses in this thread I hope he takes criticism from his upcoming instructors better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lon 0 #28 September 27, 2006 Gato, I can completely identify with your observations. I did my first AFF a few weeks ago and have been monitoring this site since then. I have observed the following: 1. Since you and are are considered the most dangerous thing at the DZ, don't expect everyone to want to welcome you with open arms - a rather reasonable form of self-preservation by those in the know. 2. The vibe at the DZ can change from one visit to another. After my AFF class, the A/C broke down and I had to wait 3 weeks to take my first jump. The ground school instructor I had was highly engaging and made me believe that he was very conscientious of my safety and the dz was absolutely ALIVE. When I finally got to jump, three weeks later, my instructor was competent yet perfunctory and the DZ was very divided and definitely not jammin. I remembered what my original instructor said to me "This is your jump, you need to ask whatever you need in order to make it a good one." It is up to you to have a good/safe jump, regardless of the DZ vibe. 3. I am a certified rock climbing instructor (US Mountain Guide Association) and have been teaching big wall climbing (1,500+ft) for 11 years. Rock climbers and skydivers have a few common traits: very safety conscious; wearysome of the public/newbies; each group has its own pecking order of risk/reward practices - all with their vocal advocates/critics. In the final analysis I realize that from a (rock climbing) instructor perspective: I understand the emphatic insistence on safe practices by the skydiving community and the persuit thereof; because of that, I recognize that I am held in relative disgust until I have proven myself, consistently and over time. But, to quote Chairman Mao, "The longest journey begins with the first step.", so go for it. I am going to jump again, not because of the DZ vibe or because of the connection I had with my first instructor. Rather I am going to jump again because I had a great time in FF and I want to get better at it. I am the only one who makes either of those happen. In climbing we have a saying: I am what I am, I am all I am, and I am IT. It kinda means be honest, humble and knowledgeable of your abilities. Those virtues hold for rock climbing and skydiving, hell just about everything, wherever you go. Keep that midset at either DZ and you should have a good time. Lon "Immortality can be assured through spectacular failure" - R. Buckminster Fuller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #29 September 28, 2006 Quote 3. I am a certified rock climbing instructor (US Mountain Guide Association) and have been teaching big wall climbing (1,500+ft) for 11 years. Rock climbers and skydivers have a few common traits: very safety conscious; wearysome of the public/newbies; each group has its own pecking order of risk/reward practices - all with their vocal advocates/critics. The skydiving community as a whole is not at all like the moutaineering/climbing worlds when it comes to newcomers. Plane capacity isn't nearly as scarse as room on the wall. And students and tandems pay for the bigger aircraft. Some DZs are certainly better than others in this aspect. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,489 #30 September 28, 2006 Quote1. Since you and are are considered the most dangerous thing at the DZ, don't expect everyone to want to welcome you with open arms - a rather reasonable form of self-preservation by those in the know. Honestly, if most people at your DZ are unwelcoming of newbies you might want to find a nicer place to jump. The best dropzones welcome everyone with open arms.Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
