Bibliophile 0 #1 October 28, 2009 Hello, everybody. I have been wondering about this for a while. My first jump was a tandem, and my second was AFF Level 1. For me, I considered myself a skydiver after I completed AFF Level 1, but I also knew back then that I was going to continue jumping, so I was essentially a skydiver at heart already. But my thoughts might not necessarily comport with those of other skydivers. So I ask: When do you earn the right to call yourself a skydiver?"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #2 October 28, 2009 When you truly understand and make the conscious decision that the things you gain from jumping out of an airplane, outweigh the things you could possibly lose. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtbriles 0 #3 October 28, 2009 QuoteWhen you truly understand and make the conscious decision that the things you gain from jumping out of an airplane, outweigh the things you could possibly lose. Wow +1 Perfect response imo.Why not? My direction in life is up...then down again REALLY REALLY FAST!!! Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway. D.S. #55 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyjunkySean 0 #4 October 28, 2009 This has been discussed numerous times here. Well put ... very well put. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thekgb2k1 0 #5 October 28, 2009 here we seem to forget there are other ways besides AAF. I have 87 army SL. and 4 IAD's and i feel i am a skydiver...always remember when jumping a round...at 100' slip into the wind...keep your feet and knees together...pray to god...and hit all 3 points of contact...FEET, A**, HEAD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apt3studiodiver 0 #6 October 28, 2009 +1 .. great answer.. thats under the'other' category, right? www.apt3studios.com www.musicpromotiononline.com www.internetcafegaming.com D.S. # 4321 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
feuergnom 29 #7 October 28, 2009 according to a fellow teacher (lets name him vladi) it might take a long time for someone to be a skydiver. good old vladi was a really nice chap who encouraged students to do their best. otherwise he just would give them shit and some mild verbal abuse. so when the lucky students finally had their license in their pocket vladi would turn up and give them his classic speach: "yesterday you were a (insert insult here) student - today you are no more than the steam of the shit of a true skydiver" The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle dudeist skydiver # 666 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #8 October 28, 2009 do i know this guy!? “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
feuergnom 29 #9 October 28, 2009 unless you jump at a certain czech dz - no but i guess there are more of this surprisingly honest and refreshing kind of instructor around The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle dudeist skydiver # 666 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #10 October 28, 2009 one can only hope, their honest and refreshing approach is seen and recognised as such, which in turn, will lead people to steer away from such places to some that may have a milder setting - but i'm known to be a sensitive pussy, so YMMV.. “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
fastphil 0 #11 October 28, 2009 First time you wake up at the DZ it's kinda hard to deny... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #12 October 28, 2009 never...... calling "yourself" a skydiver is presumptuous. you're a skydiver,, when peoples' faces light up, as you arrive at a dz. when others, ask you to join them on a jump, when you NO longer have a savings account...and when your credit cards, are all maxxed out.BUT mostly,,,, when the DZ Staff.... annoints you as such....based on your Progress within the sport... i'd consider anyone who has made one tandem, to be " a person who has experienced skydiving".. i would Not truly consider them to BE a skydiver... not yet... jmy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cheach 0 #13 October 28, 2009 QuoteFirst time you wake up at the DZ it's kinda hard to deny... This answer made me laugh.I woke up next to a blowup doll Ash....so what do you think? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Para5-0 0 #14 October 28, 2009 QuoteQuoteFirst time you wake up at the DZ it's kinda hard to deny... This answer made me laugh. and your naked, cant find your keys, wallet, or car, and there is 50 messages on your phone from your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmills0705 0 #15 October 28, 2009 Quote Hello, everybody. I have been wondering about this for a while. My first jump was a tandem, and my second was AFF Level 1. For me, I considered myself a skydiver after I completed AFF Level 1, but I also knew back then that I was going to continue jumping, so I was essentially a skydiver at heart already. But my thoughts might not necessarily comport with those of other skydivers. So I ask: When do you earn the right to call yourself a skydiver? I don't think I have ever called myself a skydiver. I might tell people I skydive, but haven't said I am a skydiver. Skydiving is simply part of who I am. Kinda like saying "I am human".... there isn't a need to say that. People around me kinda have that part figured out. Most people anyhow. Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cheach 0 #16 October 28, 2009 QuoteQuoteQuoteFirst time you wake up at the DZ it's kinda hard to deny... This answer made me laugh. and your naked, cant find your keys, wallet, or car, and there is 50 messages on your phone from your wife. How about the first time a relationship has ended because of skydiving?I woke up next to a blowup doll Ash....so what do you think? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tolgak 0 #17 October 28, 2009 A DZ liking you doesn't make you a skydiver. A DZ that doesn't like you doesn't mean you are not a skydiver. A skydiver is somebody who can look anybody else straight in the eye and with the greatest confidence and honesty say: "I'm a skydiver." It took me about 40 jumps before I transitioned from "I go skydiving on weekends." to "I'm a skydiver." I think there is a basic level of proficiency that one should attain and a clear personal benefit realized in jumping. I think that if the designation requires an outside person, it would be the point when a friend or good acquaintance finds it appropriate to refer to you as a skydiver (not a student or one-time tandem jumper) in a skydiving discussion.Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #18 October 28, 2009 Quote When you truly understand and make the conscious decision that the things you gain from jumping out of an airplane, outweigh the things you could possibly lose. Twardo for President. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #19 October 28, 2009 A person in the act of skydiving is certainly a skydiver - even a tandem student on his first jump. You can get killed on your very first jump. I don't know of a soul who didn't have to deal with the fear of death on their first jump. Once you've exited an aircraft in flight, you've earned the right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanG 1 #20 October 28, 2009 [sarcasm] When you learn how to use the search function on dropzone.com. [/sarcasm] - Dan G Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #21 October 28, 2009 After deciding to marry the sport you realize the honeymoon will never end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #22 October 28, 2009 when you have 260+ skydives and 7636 posts on dorkzone, then you're TRUELY a skydiver! “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
Bibliophile 0 #23 October 28, 2009 Quote [sarcasm] When you learn how to use the search function on dropzone.com. [/sarcasm] I see the sarcasm in your post , but on a serious note, I did try the search function before posting. I either turned up no search results or too many non-relevant search results. What would you search for to see if this question has been asked before?"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #24 October 28, 2009 QuoteWhat would you search for to see if this question has been asked before? I did a search that included the keywords "definition" and "skydiver". The result turned up a lot of threads, 4 or 5 of which were on-topic. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=search_results&search_forum=all&search_string=definition+skydiver&search_type=AND&search_fields=sb&search_time=&search_user_username=&sb=post_time&mh=500 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sletzer 3 #25 October 28, 2009 Ummm, Jimmy can call someone a skydiver whenever and however he likes. He's been skydiving for longer than I've been alive and I think he's earned that right.I will be kissing hands and shaking babies all afternoon. Thanks for all your support! *bows* SCS #8251 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
