Hanging up the tandem spurs

[Granimal 0]

I have decided to quit doing tandem skydives. It has really been a lot of fun having the opportunity to show so many people first hand why we skydive and be part of something that they will remember for the rest of their life.

During my 10 years as a tandem instructor, I have made some of my most memorable skydives both good and bad as a TI. I had to opportunity to take the person that would later become my wife on her first (and only) skydive. I got to jump with Auburn University's mascot, Aubie, in his full costume. In addition, I have had the privilege and honor of being asked by fellow skydivers to take their friends and loved ones on tandems on numerous occasions.

Despite all these good times, I have also had my scariest moments in skydiving as a tandem instructor. I once had to fire a reserve into a drogue in tow on a Strong DH (after pulling the main ripcord so hard that I broke the attachment). I also had an opening that was so hard that I was dazed for some time before gaining enough awareness to realize that my canopy had a major blowout.

Despite these drawbacks, I have had a lot of fun with my tandem rating. However, it is now time to pass the torch.

[grimmie 186]

Good job!

[tetra316 0]

So what made you decide this? Just curious.

[popsjumper 2]

Oh sure...abandon all those poor starving tandem students out there. There's thousands of sky-starved kids braying for a skydive that will not get to do one now.

Hope you feel better Mr. Screw-It-All-For-Bigways guy.







Geez...10 years? You're a better man than me.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[Granimal 0]

Quote

So what made you decide this? Just curious.

A few reasons. Most importantly, my knees are starting to bother me. Also, it has gotten to the point that almost wherever I go, the DZO asks me to do tandems and they were dominating my skydiving weekends. I would like to focus more on fun jumping.

I still have a blast doing AFF and will continue to do it. With AFF I feel that I am training someone to really skydive and make the life changing event from wuffo to skydiver. It may be more work for less money, but it is more about having fun than making money.

[medic001918 0]

Thank you for your service, Sir. As someone who's a jump away from an A-license (plane broke when I was in it for the 25th jump last weekend)...having good AFF-I's makes a world of difference. It's been a fun transformation going from being unsure to being able to skydive. I'm sure you've had a lot of good memories transforming people into skydivers and watching them progress. Thank you again. And enjoy your fun jumps!!

Shane

[CSpenceFLY 1]

I got video of the hard pull. I remember them looking for the freebag and telling me it wasn't where I said it was. Like a week later a farmer brought it in to the DZ. It landed right where I said it did.