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murphyka 0
Since you don't jump at this dropzone in particular, you have no clue what you are talking about.
First and foremost, it is not the instructors' primary job to make sure that students have fun on their skydive. Their job is to ensure that the student gets the education that they need so that they can enjoy ALL of their jumps in a safe manner.
I can't think of one instructor at the DZ who does not want their student to enjoy freefall. I am sorry if you have had an experience elsewhere that you think that is the norm. You are sadly mistaken in this case!
First and foremost, it is not the instructors' primary job to make sure that students have fun on their skydive. Their job is to ensure that the student gets the education that they need so that they can enjoy ALL of their jumps in a safe manner.
I can't think of one instructor at the DZ who does not want their student to enjoy freefall. I am sorry if you have had an experience elsewhere that you think that is the norm. You are sadly mistaken in this case!
Blue Skies!!!
Kimmy
Kimmy
i agree with you murphyka, reading some of these posts "the instructors dont let us have fun" - what the?? skydiving is a dangerous sport and your instructors are charged with ensuring you know enough to not kill yourself. Perhaps everyone should think about how that responsibility feels. Perhaps everyone should talk to an instructor who has had a student go in - yes it even happens to the best instructors.
When we are learning to skydive, its serious business. We can be having fun at the same time - isnt learning something new (wether you star or suck at it) meeting new people, being part of an amazing community and learning more abut yourself and others fun??
I dont think any of us learning to skydive should whine about pressure to perform and not having fun. Yes we have to perform, but if we dont, we wont progress and we wont learn to be safe in the air. Insutuctors want us to learn, stay safe AND have fun. We wouldnt want them to be easy on us so we can have fun at the expense of learning and staying safe?
mm i tend to more lurk here these days, but some of those posts made me see red! Instructors are often very passionate people wanting to teach someone to experience what they do.. (of course always exception to the rule). They are human, we can talk to them if we have any fears/concerns. However, if people have a problem with authority - which is what some of those posts sound like - your not going to get much out of skydiving. It is heavily regulated and with lots of people looking out for each other!
ps. im learning too, been in the sport for just over a year, 52 jumps and have had a 5 month break. freaking out about the next jump (argg!). but i live with a skydive instructor and have many close friends that are skydive instructors whom have such a passion for teaching us students/novices!
When we are learning to skydive, its serious business. We can be having fun at the same time - isnt learning something new (wether you star or suck at it) meeting new people, being part of an amazing community and learning more abut yourself and others fun??
I dont think any of us learning to skydive should whine about pressure to perform and not having fun. Yes we have to perform, but if we dont, we wont progress and we wont learn to be safe in the air. Insutuctors want us to learn, stay safe AND have fun. We wouldnt want them to be easy on us so we can have fun at the expense of learning and staying safe?
mm i tend to more lurk here these days, but some of those posts made me see red! Instructors are often very passionate people wanting to teach someone to experience what they do.. (of course always exception to the rule). They are human, we can talk to them if we have any fears/concerns. However, if people have a problem with authority - which is what some of those posts sound like - your not going to get much out of skydiving. It is heavily regulated and with lots of people looking out for each other!
ps. im learning too, been in the sport for just over a year, 52 jumps and have had a 5 month break. freaking out about the next jump (argg!). but i live with a skydive instructor and have many close friends that are skydive instructors whom have such a passion for teaching us students/novices!
nbblood 0
I think you're on to something about the instructors possibly not helping this dude to just ENJOYand RELAX.
And why is it that you think that? What do you know about Scott and his instruction that makes you say something like that?
And by the way, you don't really know me either,
so please refrain from flaiming ME either in public view or in a PM.
That would be thoughtful.
BLUES - LuLu.
Well, I know what I see in your profile and you've basically told instructors they're not doing their jobs without knowing at all the situation. I'm not sure what you expect. Maybe it would be "thoughtful" if you didn't do that too??
Scott's own words seem to be lost on some. He is making the decisions with input from his instructor. He has a well thought-out and informed plan. He has defined goals and a plan to achieve them. I personally know the instructor he refers to and I know the level of dedication and the desire for students' success of that instructor. I also know the other instructors that have worked with Scott and I know how they've helped.
I am certain that Scott will be successful. I wish every student was making the informed decisions he is. He'll be at the DZ learning every weekend, he always is. He'll follow his plan and he'll make it happen. His instructor will facilitate SCOTT'S success.
Scott, I'll see you at the DZ.
Blues,
Nathan
If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.
Nathan
If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.
ScottTX 0
When I started this thread, I wanted to do two things, 1, let everyone know at the dz who may not have heard and who read these forums about my choice to temporarily ground myself for reasons I have already stated, and 2, so that maybe I could hear from others who have gone thru the challenges I am still facing in skydiving.
I will not be jumping for a while, but that does not mean I am out of skydiving. As Nathan said, I am out at the dz almost every weekend and while I am just hanging out, I also take the opportunity at every chance I have to learn from the experienced instructors and skydivers who have a wealth of good information and advice to offer.
The learning curve will never stop as far as I am concerned and I will always continue to try and learn from others.
When will I return to jumping?, my goal is to be back in the air, hopefully by October IF the financial part comes together like I hope, and how well I do on the physical fitness program I am starting.
There is going to be a party at the dz the day I earn my A license, even if I have to be the one to start it!
Lawdog1 0
From the perspective of a very recent participant in the AFF program, and with only 38 jumps. Last October I completed a level "C" (first instructor release) and passed but it was sloppy.
I repeated it this spring and TOTALLY blew it. I was very unstable. I back slid, potato chiped, and an AFFI re-docked. Of course I had to repeat it. I wanted to think the jump was ok at the time, but I'm glad I had to repeat the level . . . I sucked, I felt lousy about wasting time and money, and really thought about cutting my losses. But 2 weeks later I did the same jump and was alot more comfortable. I passed and the jumps were alot more comfortable from then on.
Bottom line is . . . keep at it, and try not to let too much time pass between jumps.
I repeated it this spring and TOTALLY blew it. I was very unstable. I back slid, potato chiped, and an AFFI re-docked. Of course I had to repeat it. I wanted to think the jump was ok at the time, but I'm glad I had to repeat the level . . . I sucked, I felt lousy about wasting time and money, and really thought about cutting my losses. But 2 weeks later I did the same jump and was alot more comfortable. I passed and the jumps were alot more comfortable from then on.
Bottom line is . . . keep at it, and try not to let too much time pass between jumps.
It hurts me to hear students say, "I sucked."
Compared to what? The 10,000-jump gurus?
Well, obviously, of course.
It's not fair to yourself to compare your brand-new experience to other's skills. I mean, WTF?
One of the best confidence destroyers is comparing your skills with the skills of an experienced skydiver. Screw that.
Even today, it's discouraging to compare my skills with the "big boys" skills...but you know what? I am totally happy with where I'm at with my own learning curve...I'm progressing at my own pace...screw where everybody else is at with theirs.
Scott, I'm sorry finances are getting in the way for you. but can I suggest: With your determination and will, you will be fine. It's just a matter of confidence. Think positive. Look at what you have already accomplished! Forget what everybody else is doing. You have come so far! Skills are building and that's all that matters.
Compared to what? The 10,000-jump gurus?
Well, obviously, of course.
It's not fair to yourself to compare your brand-new experience to other's skills. I mean, WTF?
One of the best confidence destroyers is comparing your skills with the skills of an experienced skydiver. Screw that.
Even today, it's discouraging to compare my skills with the "big boys" skills...but you know what? I am totally happy with where I'm at with my own learning curve...I'm progressing at my own pace...screw where everybody else is at with theirs.
Scott, I'm sorry finances are getting in the way for you. but can I suggest: With your determination and will, you will be fine. It's just a matter of confidence. Think positive. Look at what you have already accomplished! Forget what everybody else is doing. You have come so far! Skills are building and that's all that matters.
My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239
ScottTX 0
Scott, I'm sorry finances are getting in the way for you. but can I suggest: With your determination and will, you will be fine. It's just a matter of confidence. Think positive. Look at what you have already accomplished! Forget what everybody else is doing. You have come so far! Skills are building and that's all that matters.
When I made that first tandem jump last year, I really believed that would be it. Of course the addiction became part of me and I went into the solo program.
IF I had known then that I would have the difficulties I am having right now, I might have done something different, what I do not know
Who would have thought, or could have thought that it would be like this?
.
I will be back in the air jumping again!
Hey Scott Pops is right, think positive, save up your monies.. the sky will always be there..
I do understand some of how you feel, i had to stop jumping for a bit due to my health, very frustrating i was just getting used to new gear and trying to get my B license.. im sure when i get back to jumping ill need some time to settle in, and i will be far behind my peers that i did ground school with.. but ive decided not to stress about it. Ill always be involved in the skydiving community wether i jump or not and no matter what skill level i am at.. and same goes for all. If people dont like that, then they can go jump *guffaws*. Do what makes you happy.. lifes too short for anything else.
Good luck and dont forget to let us all know how you go!
I do understand some of how you feel, i had to stop jumping for a bit due to my health, very frustrating i was just getting used to new gear and trying to get my B license.. im sure when i get back to jumping ill need some time to settle in, and i will be far behind my peers that i did ground school with.. but ive decided not to stress about it. Ill always be involved in the skydiving community wether i jump or not and no matter what skill level i am at.. and same goes for all. If people dont like that, then they can go jump *guffaws*. Do what makes you happy.. lifes too short for anything else.
Good luck and dont forget to let us all know how you go!
If you want to keep skydiving, go for it.
From the posts I read, you need money, you need exercise, and you're at the DZ a lot.
Do you know how to pack yet?
From the posts I read, you need money, you need exercise, and you're at the DZ a lot.
Do you know how to pack yet?
ScottTX 0
If you want to keep skydiving, go for it.
From the posts I read, you need money, you need exercise, and you're at the DZ a lot.
Do you know how to pack yet?
I would be intrested in learning, as was pointed out to me by others, it at least takes care of an A requirement, however I dont want to take the packing class just for the sake of taking care of an A requirement right now.
If I could take the class and then use that to earn money for jumps by packing, I would be intrested, most definetly.
I think he ment you can earn money at packing and still be learning by being around the dz...kill two birds with one stone.
I think you're on to something about the instructors possibly not helping this dude to just ENJOYand RELAX. The feeling of flight in freefall is so totally amazing!
Yet...
When I was struggling with AFP (using ONE Instructors rather than the two used in AFF) it was BECAUSE of the feeling of PRESSURE TO SUCCEED fairly quickly on each of the tasks- and sometimes MULTIPLE TASKS in EACH SKYDIVE- that caused me to stress about it, and not to just SIMPLY ENJOY.
Remember instructors, THIS IS ALL NEW to students, and pressure to succeed takes away from the pleasure of the jump- and isn't that why we keep on doing this?
Maybe if more instrucotrs REALIZED THIS, more students would more quickly pick up on JOY OF FREEFALL sooner and stick with this sport after they've worked and toiled to get their "A".
Skydiving should feel like NOT WORK BUT PLAY.
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