Goodbye... I am quitting skydiving

[fmmobley 0]

Some of you already know by now that I am selling my gear and calling it quits. There are several reasons…
1) I am leaving the country in March 2011, and will not be able to jump where I am going to be for 27 months.
2) I am losing my job in August and will need to cut back on expenses.
3) I have someone local who is anxious to buy my rig at the price I am asking
4) I find that I am not enjoying it as much as I used to, and am not sure the ratio of Reward vs (Risk + Cost) is where it should be for me anymore. I am a little burnt out.

I feel like I am not leaving much undone. I have accomplished a lot of things during my few years in the sport: I traveled to a lot of DZs, met some fantastic people, I tried just about every discipline, broke a few bones, and saw some very cool and scary stuff. I jumped with world champions, beginners, students, old codgers and even a pineapple. It would be hard to top 2009, which culminated in the Wingsuit Record jump in California.

I will be making a couple of jumps on July 11 and then turning my rig over to someone who wants to buy it.

Thanks to everyone I have met along the way for all the cool skydives, and the help, encouragement and friendship. It truly has been amazing. Skydiving has allowed me to do things others can only dream about.

Does that make me a whuffo now? Or does that happen when my USPA membership lapses?

... Marion

[JohnRich 4]

You'll never again be a whuffo. Once a skydiver, always a skydiver.
Good luck with your future endeavors.
May they give you as much reward as you've had with skydiving.

But you're going to want to come back...

[michalm21 2]

Wish you all the best.
caw-caw

[BrianSGermain 1]

The best part about decisions is that they can be changed.

Go forth into Whuffo-hood, and enjoy what you live in that realm. Get happy in every way you can. You may find, someday, that your happiness wells up in you in such a way that you are craving something more, something deeper. Your happiness will flow over to the point that you have no other choice but to seek out the highest, most profound expressions of human celebratory acts. When that happens, we will be there to give you a pin check.

Go forth and prosper.

Brian

Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com
Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com
Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

[tbrown 26]

Does that make me a whuffo now?

[NWFlyer 2]

Best of luck with your new adventures - I have to say I'm a little jealous of you going off to do something so very new and exciting. I'm glad I've had the chance to get to know you these last few years you've spent in the sport, and look forward to hearing about the next chapters in your life.

"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

[CSpenceFLY 1]

You'll have time to work in Fitzgerald before you leave... Right?

[racerman 0]

I made the same choice for almost the same reasons. After awhile I started looking at the sky and regretting the decision I made. Unfortunately it took almost ten years to realize this and save up enough money to buy gear. You have to do what you have to but you'll be back!!!

[kallend 2,030]

[Airman1270 0]

Wow. Such a great place to be, having enjoyed so many jumps and yet deciding you don't wanna anymore. Life will be so much less complicated, and you can always come back.

Cheers!
Jon S.

[Halfpastniner 0]

1. sell your rig
2. use that cash to buy a BASE rig
3. I have no idea where you are going, but there is probably something to jump off of.
4. If you start to feel burned out again, pull lower next time!

BASE 1384

[Andy0689 0]

Best wishes, Marion! I enjoyed jumping with you at SDA! Take care and if you're ever in the Seattle area for whatever reason, look me up!

Andy
I'll believe it when I see it on YouTube!

[The_Don 0]

Gonna miss you my friend.

For those that have not met Marion, let me say that he is one of the nicest, most humble people you will ever meet inside or outside of this sport.

Who knows Maroin? In 3 to 5 years you may decide to come back, you're next goal could be AFF Instructor!
I know for a fact that you would be a great teacher.

I will see you this weekend & I would love to get a jump in with you one last time before you park your wings.

Hope you can get Tish to come out & do a tandem or at least hang out.


See ya soon.

Don.


Edit to add... I'll never forget when you wanted to give the President of the USPA a .... "HIM, HIM!! "

I am NOT being loud.
I'm being enthusiastic!

[dgskydive 0]

Never say quit. Your taking a break. I did it twice. You will be back. It never gets outta your system. Enjoy your break, we will see you again someday.

Dom

[Bolas 5]

Glad we got to beach jump together.
The sky will always be there should you wish to return. If ever it's not, we've got way bigger issues...

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[elightle 8]

Hi, Marion. I don't believe I know you but I feel sad that you're leaving the sport . I quit for 15 years only because I couldn't afford to compete. Dumb move I realized later. Now I am a 4-way competitor wannabee with no medals. If I could do it all over, I would have jumped on that first 4-way team with my buddy, Dan BC. Yes, I said BC!

But I digress. This is your farewell to the troops and we wish you all the best. I am sure you are doing what is best for you. Like I said, We'll be here if/when you return .

[dgskydive 0]

Quote

Dumb move I realized later. Now I am a 4-way competitor wannabee with no medals. If I could do it all over, I would have jumped on that first 4-way team with my buddy, Dan BC. Yes, I said BC!

Yup, that was pretty stupid.

Or you could have been in the plane crash. So maybe not so stupid.

Dom

[pms07 3]

Marion,

Sorry to see you go but wish you all the best as you seek out life's next adventure.

You are truly one of the nicest people in the sport that I've met and I enjoyed flying with and getting to know you at Z-Hills and Elsinore. Thanks for sharing some wingsuit adventure and the sky!

caw-caw!

Pat

[elightle 8]

Quote

Quote

Dumb move I realized later. Now I am a 4-way competitor wannabee with no medals. If I could do it all over, I would have jumped on that first 4-way team with my buddy, Dan BC. Yes, I said BC!

Yup, that was pretty stupid.

Or you could have been in the plane crash. So maybe not so stupid.

That's true, Dom. I've thought about that too. My plane crash was at the '78 Nationals in a DC-3. No injuries to our 10-way team except for one broken ankle.

[airathanas 0]

Bye Marion! I wish you all the best! Miss you already...

http://3ringnecklace.com/

[dgskydive 0]

Quote

That's true, Dom. I've thought about that too. My plane crash was at the '78 Nationals in a DC-3. No injuries to our 10-way team except for one broken ankle.

I think ya made the right decision.

Dom

[jumpwally 0]

Best of luck to you,,but don't tease us like that,,,what country and what are doing there ?

Blues

smile, be nice, enjoy life
FB # - 1083

[fmmobley 0]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. One thing I love about skydiving are the people. I guess sharing such a unique experience draws people closer.

Chris... if it goes as planned I hope to be gone when Fitzgerald rolls around again.

Don... Tish will be coming out with me on the 11th. She says she won't do a tandem, but may do an observation ride.

Wally... My wife and I have applied to join the Peace Corps, and if things go as planned we hope to be in Eastern Europe (I think Albania) next year.

... Marion

[skyflower_bloom 0]

We don't know each other and i am just a student but I still feel a pang to hear of someone leaving the sport. I am so glad to hear that you have gotten so much out of it and are feeling confident with your decisions at this point, and as stated, the sky will always be there if you return, but best wishes on your new journeys in life!! robyn

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

[gregpso 1]

I do not know how old your are but it will never leave you and may be a spark will get you to come back. I have done very little in skydiving.( compared to you) I did 40 jumps in 1981 on the old rounds. gave up for good I thought. ( after a reserve ride) never gave it much of a thought for 28 odd years. My son in 2008 did a tandem. I watched. Thought I might jump one more time... yeah right !! 15 tandems and 3 AFF jumps. I am now having another break. (lack of $$$$$)

My point being something will spark you some day to return .. you may or may not act on it. (the old risk/cost verses reward thing.) From what I have read you have had an outstanding run.. all the best.

greg

I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??