I need help making a graceful exit

[sandyeggo 0]

I'm having difficulty with my static line exit. On my first jump it was so hard to move against the force of the wind to climb out of the plane. Once I got out onto the step I was terrified of hanging from the strut. When I stepped off from the step it felt like my body just dropped, instead of blowing behind me in the slip stream. My second jump was worse, I fell off of the step before I was ready. I went into a good arch, but my instructor said I really put myself in a precarious body position.

So I've been analyzing my exit over and over again in my head trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong and how to overcome it. When I'm up in the air it seems like I'm just not strong enough to push my body against the wind. My palms get sweaty and I have little hands and I don't feel like I have a good enough grip on the strut to step off of the step.

After my last jump my instructor had me practice getting out of the plane while it was grounded. He gave me some great advice about turning my feet when I step out so that I'm not sideways. He also suggested squatting on the step and then stepping off so that my upper body is already supporting some weight before I let my feel go. After I got home I thought that maybe I could try some gloves to improve my grip. That might help me feel more secure about my hold and less hesitant to step off.

Can anyone offer other suggestions? I absolutely love flying that parachute but I'm starting to hate the static line exit. I don't want to become afraid of falling off the plane or stop pursuing a sport I'm beginning to love.

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Sandra

[cocheese 0]

Hi Sandy, on my first static line exit, the instructor said "Be agressive out there, it's windy." So i had a death grip on the strut. ready set go. My feet left, but i still had a grip on the strut.

VISUALIZE the perfect exit. One fluid motion of grace. Make it easy... in your mind. Say: "I'm going to blossom into the perfect arch when i let go." Visualize that and do 100 jumps for free.. in your mind. Your instructors will be amazed.

If you think you are going to blow away out there, eat a cheese burger once in a while. Lean into the wind, grab the strut, you'll be fine.
Oh and don't take skydiving advice from the internet.

Welcome to this fun thing to do.

[ixlr82 7]

My wife flipped through her risers on a couple of static line jumps and after that she just couldn't move through the fear. Eventually she went to another DZ, transitioned to AFF for a few levels, and then was able to rejoin her home DZ to finish up her student status. Hopefully you'll get the advice you need to continue your static line pursuit, but it may not be the only option. I know I don't know you, but I doubt you are not physically capable of this. Your post suggests 'some' degree of uncertainty and fear are holding you back.

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[skybytch 273]

Quote

So I've been analyzing my exit over and over again in my head trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong and how to overcome it.

Don't figure out what you're doing wrong. See yourself doing it right. Over and over and over - yes, 100 times like cocheese suggests.

Then when you get to the dz, do it right on the mockup. Over and over and over. Preferably with a knowledgeable person watching.

Practicing the perfect exit on the ground, both mentally and physically, over and over and over, will almost guarantee a perfect exit in the air. And it's free.

Other than that, pausing for a deep breath and a big smile (that's important) as the door is opening could help you to be relaxed as you climb out and exit. You want to be aggressive, yes, but you also want to be relaxed.

If you aren't already, try "flying" your hands out to the strut. A hand that cuts through the wind is easier to move than is a hand that cups the wind.

Don't give up! You can do this.

[sandyeggo 0]

Thank you!!

[blacksha 1]

Hi Sandy,
All of us have battled with this at some point...particularly those of us that started with Static Line...

I was told over and over to ARCH and always ARCH'd just fine on the ground but for some reason couldn't figure out it's the same thing in the air... :-)

One you step off that strut, put your mind into the zone that says ARCH and just ARCH your whole body

You'll be fine and I'm sure you're doing great. You're not quitting and that is the first step to success...

Lonne

[kittikat 0]

Hey - as a IAD instructor I see this pretty often. One thing I always tell people is that if I can do it, you can do it. I'm 5'3 and 115 pounds, and so I doubt you are significantly smaller than I am.

You know it is going to be windy, so just climb out slow and deliberate. Plant your foot down hard, get a good grip on the strut before you put your other hand out there. Climb out very deliberately - there is no reason why you can't do it well. It doesn't have to be graceful or girly though!!

Mentally rehearse the exit, and see yourself doing it well (already mentioned, but great advice). And once you are hanging take a second before you let go to push your hips out into an arch and look up. That way when you let go the arch is already there.

Good luck - the worst thing you can do is start believing that you cannot do it. Once you give up, it won't go well. So don't even entertain that thought!

[Stumpy 284]

As soon as you leave, try and read what is written on the wing.

I did AFF but was struggling with my exits - my instructor told me he wanted me to tell him what another skydiver did out of the door just after we left the plane - (he flipped the bird at us )

But guess what - hey presto, a nice arch!

Never try to eat more than you can lift