student jump rigs?

[austinbond 0]

last year i made my first jump, i enjoyed it, but due to many factors i couldn't get another jump in before winter. now that spring is here and it looks like ill be working again i can resume with my training, i have a question. the parachute that i had on was quite uncomfortable and heavy, it didn't seem like the same ones used used by most jumpers you see on youtube. am i imagining things or was it a special kind?

[obelixtim 150]

Student jump rigs are bigger and bulkier by necessity, a larger slower canopy provides for softer landings. Harness need to be adjustable to fit a variety of sized jumpers.

The gear experienced jumpers use is customised to fit them and the particular discipline they are most involved in.

My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

[Trafficdiver 8]

Quote

last year i made my first jump, i enjoyed it, but due to many factors i couldn't get another jump in before winter. now that spring is here and it looks like ill be working again i can resume with my training, i have a question. the parachute that i had on was quite uncomfortable and heavy, it didn't seem like the same ones used used by most jumpers you see on youtube. am i imagining things or was it a special kind?

The student rig I used was a beast. Totally uncomfortable and hurt the hell out of my inner thighs.

It needs to be big to accommodate a large student canopy (I jumped a 260 and 280). Most of them are well used too.

I grew to like it as it saved my ass every time I jumped it.

When you get your own sport rig you will appreciate it that much more, I know I do. My Javelin feels like it curves to fit my body.

[JohnMitchell 16]

And it varies with the drop zone, your body size and the skill of the instructor fitting the rig to you.

Some DZ's have a wall of very new student gear with various harness sizes. Some of those harnesses will even have additional adjustment points for more precise fitting. Other DZ's scrape by with a motley collection of old used gear, and what you get is what you get. I've jumped at the latter, but I now work at the former. There's not a student rig on the wall at my DZ I wouldn't personally jump.
Your body size and shape matter. If you're overweight, expect everything to be less comfy and harder to do. If you're extremely small, most harnesses will be loose on you, and you may get some slapping and bruising during opening. The inner thighs is a common place for that.

Any rig put on any person needs to be adjusted properly for comfort and safety. All instructors should do a good job of that, but you know we live in the real world. PM me if you want.

John

P.S. Part of it, too, I feel, is getting used to wearing a parachute. Also, while you're waiting around to jump, you can usually sit down or rest the backpack on something to take the weight off your shoulders. That helps some.