New skydivers getting pulled into a discipline too early

[HillerMyLife 0]

Okay I'm a new skydiver, been jumping for 6 months and I almost have my B. My buddy is 1 jump and a checkout from his A(should be done this weekend weather permitting). Anyway, my point...

What is the deal with belly flyers and free flyers trying to pull us over to their "side". I've been told many times that this sport is so difficult(which is what makes it so awesome) and that eventually I will pick a discipline and stick with it for the remainder of my skydiving "career".

That just seems so anti-skydiving to me. What if right now I want to focus on belly only to eventually want to learn FF(or vice versa), maybe to evolve onto something else?? Maybe its just my dropzone but I doubt it...The way I see it, as long as I'm being safe and responsible why can't I choose what direction I want to go in?? Or just go in all of them??

[csbrady 0]

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Okay I'm a new skydiver, been jumping for 6 months and I almost have my B. My buddy is 1 jump and a checkout from his A(should be done this weekend weather permitting). Anyway, my point...

What is the deal with belly flyers and free flyers trying to pull us over to their "side". I've been told many times that this sport is so difficult(which is what makes it so awesome) and that eventually I will pick a discipline and stick with it for the remainder of my skydiving "career".

That just seems so anti-skydiving to me. What if right now I want to focus on belly only to eventually want to learn FF(or vice versa), maybe to evolve onto something else?? Maybe its just my dropzone but I doubt it...The way I see it, as long as I'm being safe and responsible why can't I choose what direction I want to go in?? Or just go in all of them??

just go with what you feel safe doing. theres no sense in rushing something because someone else told you too.

Blues!

[gontleman 0]

Jump for one's self. Don't jump for others.

[karenmeal 0]

I've joked around about converting people to the dark side before, but it's not ever meant to be some sort of pressure.

Honestly, as a freeflyer I would be happiest to see all new jumpers stay on their bellies and really focus on those skills for the first 200 jumps or so. It will really benefit you in the long run, no matter what you end up doing.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[towerrat 0]

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I would be happiest to see all new jumpers stay on their bellies and really focus on those skills for the first 200 jumps or so. It will really benefit you in the long run, no matter what you end up doing.
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I couldn't agree more. I know a whole lot of people who are good on their heads but can't dock on a four way belly jump or even track properly. I had a friend who complained of hard openings until he finally sold his parachute. He kept having the same problem until someone told him how to flat track and slow down for deployment. It's easier to learn at 120 mph than it is at 180mph.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!

• Quote

[HillerMyLife 0]

I guess its just my dz...Its a great place with a lot of jumpers and a shit ton of outstanding non instructor jumpers...its also a really competitive place. Hint: It starts with a P and ends with an erris ;)

Someday Never Comes

[NWFlyer 2]

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I guess its just my dz...Its a great place with a lot of jumpers and a shit ton of outstanding non instructor jumpers...its also a really competitive place. Hint: It starts with a P and ends with an erris ;)

Psst. Check out the Excel Camps and Bridge the Gap down the road. They're great for building up your skill base in the basics.

"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

[DougH 270]

Just don't let it get to you. I have done over 125 jumps since I started that have been just plain fun.

Some RW, some sit flying, goofy stuff like noodle fight and rodeos.

I may never get to be the best at any discipline, but I am going to love every second of free fall.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[Zing 2]

I'm just an old usedtawas, and I don't even jump much lately, but when the issue of "dedicating" yourself to one discipline arises, I've found this to be an excellant reply.

"I can flail like an expert on any axis!" ... and there's no reason why any jumper can't learn to do it too, if they want to. Y'know ... maybe expand your horizons a bit.

I always thought skydiving had a little something to do with that freedom thing, not restrictions ... With challenging oneself, not submitting to the status quo of some transient clique ... and because I just can't stop the smile jumping always puts on my face, whether its a bigway celestial whirly-swirly with the pros or a total garbage load with Team Flail that's only success is that we did jump out and we did land, but that dirt-diving thing must have been for a different load. Its about doing what's fun for you.

Zing Lurks

[FallingDuck 0]

You should just do what you like. There are always going to be those people, but this is a sport that is all about freedom. Do what you like when you like. If things keep going the way they are the belly flier, ff divide will get to be like the skier, snowboarder one.

[diablopilot 2]

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Or just go in all of them??

Do that. I did. You'll value ALL the experience, and before long you'll be a far better flyer than anyone that focuses on just one area.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[skydance1954 0]

Of course you can choose whatever direction you want to go. Never mind the peer pressure. Everyone wants more playmates in their own favorite activity, so yeah, some people will try to convince newbies to play with them. Nod and smile, commit to nothing, and do what feels right for you. Follow your own bliss, not what someone tells you it should be.

The harder they push, the less you should listen. (Unless they're giving you tips on staying safe.)

I've got my thing, I enjoy it a lot, and yeah, I want more people to share it with, but at the end of the day, around the campfire, with a beer in my hand, I'm surrounded by skydivers. Brothers and sisters of the air, and I don't give a rats @$$ what discipline they follow. We're all there to enjoy something the rest of the world can't even begin to understand. And we're all sharing it together.

Mike Ashley
D-18460
Canadian A-666

[HillerMyLife 0]

Hey everyone thanks for the solid advice, and I will consider all of it. I will also make my way down to Elsinore one of these weekends, I've heard its quite a chill place. I'm actually visiting a friend on the East coast this weekend so I didn't get my fix in this weekend...maybe I'll just leave work during lunch to go skydive...bet no one has ever done THAT!!

Someday Never Comes

[Legs 0]

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...bet no one has ever done THAT!!

Only once I promise......yeah right

With love in Christ

[JerryBaumchen 1,362]

Hi Hiller,

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...maybe I'll just leave work during lunch to go skydive...bet no one has ever done THAT!!

Nope, but I used get a jump in between classes when I was in college. Yup, the dz was that close.
Jerry

[JUDYJ 0]

I jump the same place as you.

You're right it's competitive.. I like it that way!

Even though I do more RW than FF I still try both and even been thinking about a little CRW. The more you know --- the better you can be.

You have to take it with a grain of salt and be who you are.. where you are meant to be. If you jump for others.. you shouldn't jump at all.

P.S. look me up.. i'll jump with you anyway you want to...

IF you are going to be Stupid - you better be tough!

[HillerMyLife 0]

Well you know what I mean then...I talk to an LO right after getting my A and its all about "lets get you in an RW suit" and I'm like "Whoa dude I just want to jump and learn from the best"...

Anyway I'm down to jump with anyone as long as they are safe and have some good references. I won't be there for a couple weekends but me and my buddy camp out right by the garage door at the school...if you haven't heard about the Marines who freeze their asses off camping at the DZ...you probably will soon...we're starting to make a name for ourselves

P.S. He's there this weekend, going for his A...if he gets it tommorow you should definately jump with him...look for the kid in his 20's with some gray hair...thats right Iraq is no joke!!!

Someday Never Comes

[VectorBoy 0]

What is the deal with belly flyers and free flyers trying to pull us over to their "side". Maybe its just my dropzone but I doubt it.

[Spiderbaby 0]

As soon as the BASE jumpers try to get you over to THIER side, that's when I would start stressing. Stay safe, Have fun!

"It takes a big man to cry, it takes an even bigger man to make that big man cry"

[Tiger 0]

I'm returning after a few years off (not by choice or injury) and will be back at your dz in a few weeks. I'd be happy to jump with you, too. I'm easy to spot- my nickname is on my rig, and my grey hair isn't premature. I personally like the competitive atmosphere at the dz. I find it encourages skill development and excellence, even if you only compete with yourself. You'll always be a newbie to somebody, so if you're feeling discouraged, go look at the tandems :)

[billvon 2,991]

>What is the deal with belly flyers and free flyers trying to pull us over to their "side".

Everyone thinks their "side" is the best, coolest, funnest etc part of the sport, from CRW people to RW types. I'd recommend getting to the point where you can reliably do a 4-way (i.e. launch one, turn a few points and break off safely) and then get into whatever you want to do. Being able to do basic RW teaches you about launching exits, tracking off on your belly, checking airspace and opening away from other people, which is something you have to do on nearly every jump (except perhaps CRW.) Beyond that, do whatever you like. (Although keep in mind some pursuits, like bigways, camera and wingsuits do need more experience than that.)

[faulknerwn 38]

[reply}
Everyone thinks their "side" is the best, coolest, funnest etc part of the sport, from CRW people to RW types.

[kkeenan 14]

This is a subject dear to my heart. The beauty of skydiving lies in its diversity. There are so many facets to explore, that you can devote years to it without getting tired of it. Maybe it's my short attention span, but I have tried to do as many types as possible. The rub there is that it really takes a bit of time to get competent in the different disciplines. That just means that you have to jump a lot.

Since belly flying is sort of the basis for the design of gear and deployment systems (and an open parachute is the common essential for a happy ending to any jump), I feel that flat flying is what should be mastered first. After that, it's open season. I actually feel that anyone who sticks totally to their "side" is really limiting themselves. Most things that you learn in one discipline can have certain value in others, so you can really help get better in your "primary" field of endeavor by broadening yourself in the other fields.

Back in ancient times, a well-rounded jumper was one who was good at both Style and Accuracy. (For younger folks, those were the only forms of competition back then). Now, one has lots to choose from. If you always try to be the best you can in as many areas as possible, it will challenge you for years to come.

Just remember that, while the basic safety aspects of skydiving hold true for all disciplines, each one has its unique ways of killing you if you're not careful. Seek out the best practitioners of each discipline to learn from. If your friends aren't much better than you, then you won't learn much from them.

Kevin

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[RippedCord 0]

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...eventually I will pick a discipline and stick with it for the remainder of my skydiving "career".

Doubtful JMHO

AMDG

[GravityJunky 0]

You are absolutely correct, Hiller, going with your own preference, heart, and instinct, in choosing a discipline, IS the only way to approach the sport. While there is certainly nothing wrong with, other more experienced divers, sharing their perspective on their chosen discipline(s), it should never be in a pressuring respect! Only YOU know what feels / works right for YOU! Stick to your guns, Kid!

*My Inner Child is A Fucking Prick Too!
*Everyones entitled to be stupid but you are abusing the priviledge
*Well I'd love to stay & chat, But youre a total Bitch! {Stewie}