AmorDeCosmos 0 #1 April 28, 2011 Hi, I'm working on a bit of fiction about skydiving, and I was wondering why exactly some of us choose to skydive? Personally, why do you do it? It's expensive, dangerous, very difficult to make a living from...so why do it? All answers will be greatly appreciated. The more in depth you can go, the better. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
angle228 0 #2 April 28, 2011 use your imaginationI am fucking your mom right now Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #3 April 28, 2011 I suck at bowling ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZegeunerLeben 0 #4 April 28, 2011 >>It's fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AmorDeCosmos 0 #5 April 28, 2011 OK, so I guess I had some of those answers coming. But really, I haven't been able to find any psychology on the subject, and I don't want to come up with something that is just not true. (The bowling line was kinda funny, tho, I'll admit). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DocPop 1 #6 April 28, 2011 Because gravity is not an option - it's a LAW."The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anthonyfellows 0 #7 April 28, 2011 Why do you have sex?Serious relationships turn into work after a few weeks and I already got a fucking job :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ H.A.F. = Hard As Fuck ... Goddamn Amateurs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
david3 0 #8 April 28, 2011 QuoteHi, I'm working on a bit of fiction about skydiving, and I was wondering why exactly some of us choose to skydive? Personally, why do you do it? It's expensive, dangerous, very difficult to make a living from...so why do it? All answers will be greatly appreciated. The more in depth you can go, the better. Thanks! http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=3868927;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;#3868927 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #9 April 28, 2011 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=search_results&search_forum=all&search_string=%22why%20skydive%22&sb=score&mh=25 ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppykf 0 #10 April 28, 2011 Why I jump? I think its the comraderie with diverse group of people. It kinda like what I loved about the military. You put a bunch of different type of people/personalities; doctors, lawyers, hippies, geeks, rich, poor all together and we can function as a team. It just works; even though on this site you get some really narly answers at times I think for the most part everyone genuinely cares that you are successful and wish you the safest and fun endeavor possible. It is a very positive environment comprably to the other worlds we live in day by day. There is a competitive nature, but I dont believe its as cut throat as other things in life. Skydiving itself is a challenge. Something out of the norm that allows you to have a different experience each time, while having some type of familiarity to it as well. For the people that work at DZ's I can only assume its the old adage, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.THRIVING IN MY DASH!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #11 April 28, 2011 Quote I suck at bowling I got the 'skydiving' talk while trying to learn to bowl too. "I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #12 April 28, 2011 I wrote to a Facebook friend that I was REALLY missing jumping. Her reply was: “What is it that you miss? The adrenaline - the sense of freedom?” Here is what I wrote: My first answer was going to be "BOTH", but it is much more complicated than that. I miss the sense of: -Camaraderie on the airplane; -Anticipation when the pilot says “two minutes”; -Focus as the pilot says “door”; -Energy as the “exit” light turns green; -Intensity like nothing else as I release the plane and accelerate to terminal speed; -Connection as we build formations with no words said… watching for a smile and a twinkle in the eye to tell me what is going on in the mind of my clone; -"Flow" when we get it right and the formations are smoothly forming and transitioning; -Urgency as we break the formation and track away from each other; -Curiosity as I deploy my main canopy… “Will it work?”; -Release as I see a good canopy overhead; -Peace as I fly my canopy over the terrain; -Analytic satisfaction as I solve the three dimensional puzzle of approach and landing ; -Triumph as I land my canopy standing up on the target! My friend replied: ”Thanks for the insight.“ My wife replied: “You forgot the beer dear!”The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #13 April 28, 2011 Because after missng another bucket while playing basketball, I realized I could always hit the Earth. Seriously, if you've ever dreamed you could fly, it's that dream come true. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #14 April 28, 2011 Try watching the movie "Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk" for some simple insights. Aside from the physiology of risk takers discussed in the movie, what others have said here reflects a lot of the feelings I have also. I love the camaraderie, being around other people who love the sky, the somewhat unique energy around people making their first few jumps, etc.Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #15 April 28, 2011 "Point Break" ....no, really ...no, seriously! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #16 April 28, 2011 the fantastic view from altitudethe people with whom i get to jump. the fact that we get we wear " neat uniforms" ( though each persons' choice is unique and a reflection of their personal "style" ) and cool looking gear, while we skydive. I like going fast, in freefall... though not so much under canopy.i like feeling as though i can always Land Safely... no matter the spot...I like watching new jumpers as they light up !!!! upon landing,,, and i like encouraging That feeling in them... i like the fact that while my life is awfully conventional.. ( not that there's anything wrong with that !!!) my hobbies are Not!!!...I've always treated it as an extra-curricular activity.. and so trying "to make a living in it" matters little to me... i like the HUGE variety of people who can be found on a DZ.. I like feeling that i am respected by any DZO where i may go, and that i set a decent example to the best of my abilities... I try to subtley let it be known, that i am happy, comfortable and competent,, at all times,, or else i WOULD find something else to do.... I like hearing people call out my name, when i arrive at the airport.!!!! i always smile and wave !!!i do NOt skydive... to impress myself or anyone else... i do Not skydive because "it's a high risk sport".. in fact for me.. it gets a bit less risky as time goes on , because i tend to "recede into the security of the envelope", rather than to "press the edges" I pull higher than i did in the past, i engage in each jump with a well attuned sense of the seriousness of things,, i follow safety recommedations and all the small things like attention to gear , adherence to proper canopy traffic patterns, a willingness to yield the right of way.. whenever it's called for....and a genuine concern for not only MY welfare , but the wellbeing of Anyone with whom i might share the sky.... i fly my parachute like i drive on the expressway.... with Anticipation.... with my EYES open, head on a swivel and a sense that Nothing could surprise me.. Though a freeway IS more dangerous than jumping.... it never hurts, to be attentive!! Plus... it's VERY difficult to get skydiving videos or decent stills of people while they skydive.......... if you're NOT skydiving..yourself!! so that too is why i enjoy it.. jimmytavino A 3914 D 12122 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AmorDeCosmos 0 #17 April 28, 2011 Wow, thanks everyone for your answers! I'm wondering now, since a couple of you have mentioned it, is skydiving "for a living" the ultimate goal, or would that kill it? Or is it just not what you're looking for? Obviously this is a pretty subjective question, but I'm just looking for a sense of what the majority might feel. I used to play soccer and dream of being able to do that for a living. Is it at all the same for skydiving? Would you refuse to skydive for a living if you could? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #18 April 28, 2011 Quote , the somewhat unique energy around people making their first few jumps, etc. Ah yes, that's one of the reasons tandems are fun for me. You get a front row seat for one of the most amazing experiences of many people's lives. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southern_Man 0 #19 April 28, 2011 Only way I could get my ex-wife to leave me??? I kid, she left before I started skydiving."What if there were no hypothetical questions?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmg365 0 #20 April 28, 2011 Because it 'grounds you'. Seriously though-it provides perspective. Life can be so intense...so demanding...so unmanageable. And then you get up to 13.5 and nothing else matters accept you, the planet, and a safe reintroduction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #21 April 28, 2011 Quote "Point Break" ....no, really ...no, seriously! +1 and "terminal velocity", "dropzone" and "cutaway".. and of course all the hookers, the blow, the money and the fame.. “Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #22 April 28, 2011 QuoteWow, thanks everyone for your answers! I'm wondering now, since a couple of you have mentioned it, is skydiving "for a living" the ultimate goal, or would that kill it? Or is it just not what you're looking for? Obviously this is a pretty subjective question, but I'm just looking for a sense of what the majority might feel. I used to play soccer and dream of being able to do that for a living. Is it at all the same for skydiving? Would you refuse to skydive for a living if you could? Since there are many, many more active skydivers than there are people who are making a living in skydiving, I would say that skydiving "for a living" is not the ultimate goal for the majority of skydivers (or, if it once was, they've looked at the cost/benefit and decided that the "living" they can make skydiving is not worth the tradeoffs required to get there. I suppose I flirted with the idea of "cutting away" and "living the dream" early in my skydiving career, but as I settled into it I realized that I like skydiving to be a part of my life, an important part, but not my entire life. And I've grown comfortable with the lifestyle I'm able to lead by working a 9-5 professional job and I'm not willing to give that up right now. So, I'm a weekend jumper, who averages about 150 jumps a year but stays active in a whole lot of other things in my life. I have a coach rating, which allows me to work with newer jumpers, but not anywhere close to a full-time basis, and that works well for me right now."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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #23 April 28, 2011 Quote and of course all the hookers, the blow, the money and the fame.. Charlie Sheen skydives??"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #24 April 28, 2011 Quote Quote and of course all the hookers, the blow, the money and the fame.. Charlie Sheen skydives?? Ditch Brody is WINNING! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #25 April 28, 2011 Quote Quote and of course all the hookers, the blow, the money and the fame.. Charlie Sheen skydives?? No, but he plays a skydiver in the movies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
