PEP TALKING A NEWBIE

[somethinelse 0]

Took the 'higher road' this weekend and imparted with some 'pearls of wisdom' to encourage a discouraged (newer than me!)newbie.

I passed on tips that work for me that others had given to me: re- gauging height, where to look before you land(horizon) & flaring for standups.

He's having MAJOR LANDING TROUBLES! Actually I was surprised AND impressed to see him at the dz this weekend after the spectacular (Non)landing he had last weekend...

And actually I was more surprised that I didn't see experienced jumpers (other than his AFF instructor) giving him 'pearls of wisdom' or tips to help him- or in the very least encouragement. Ya know?

Even your own stupid stories, like "Man! I DID THE DUMBEST THING, wait to ya hear WHAT I did...!" Can help a 'young' jumper to find his/her potential and work through obstacles to progress in learning the skills of this sport.

Please remember to help the newbies (& others) so they can get past the stress and frustration to experience the JOY & THRILL in this sport.

BLUES!

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[PhreeZone 20]

You know why no one other then his instructors were giving him "pearls of wisdom"? Its because no one else is his instructor and knows him well enough to try and teach him something completely new.

Getting info from dozens of different people can be confusing to a new jumper. Person A says to flare at the 3rd oh shit while person B says to flare when you can see the blades of grass and Person C says to flare when the horizon is just below level for you. Who is correct? All might be but this can be confusing for a student, expecially a student that is having issues.

I won't just walk up to a student and say do this, this and this because I am not their instructor.

Its ok to say Instructor X really helped me on my landing issues, you might want to talk to him. But actually trying to pass along knowledge with out being their instructor does nothing to further the instructor/student bond and that can lead to issues in trying to teach them later.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Jeth 0]

I don't think its about giving specific advice. It's like what LiLa described -- just telling your stories of your experiences.
When I am really nervous it helps to hear about others experiences. How they did on the level that I'm on, or what tips helped them find the right flare height, etc. I don't take it as overriding my instructor, but a lot of times I'll get a tip from someone else, then I'll ask my instructor about it and it'll be something that he didn't mention but agrees with.
I like to talk to the newer-than-me newbies, too. When those AFP 1 students come out of class, they are so nervous. I like to tell them about my AFP 1 where I landed in the corn.
Learning to skydive is a very stressful, overwhelming experience. I think every little bit of support helps us all get through it.

JMTC...

"At 13,000 feet nothing else matters."
PFRX!!!!!
Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109
My Jump Site

[skyhighkiy 0]

hey hey :)

I think it's great you're telling him about the things you've been through. I know it encourages him a lot because he was rather discouraged about his...incident... 2 weeks ago and again last week and hopefully he'll be comming along soon because I want to see him continue to be able to jump.

as far as giving him actual advice on his landing though...I'd encourage to let his instructor handle that area...this guy is obviously extremely stressed on his landings and his mind goes crazy when he's near the ground. yest'rday's last landing of the day resulted in skid across tarmack and minor damage of rental gear causing the ring system to come ondone upon tension from packing...imagine my surprise when I give the lines a tug and the rings come apart!

anywho, Let him know he's not alone in the troubles department of learning, maybe ask an experienced guy to share their learning troubles as well! I know it'll do a load of good and encouragement to let him know.

BE THE BUDDHA!

[rsibbald 0]

Seeing students support each other is great, especially because on small dropzones the only instructors tend to be in the air a lot. I'm all in favour of students telling each other "nice" stories whilst they're waiting on the flightline for the instructor to arrive.

However, like Phree said, please be very aware of what you are saying and keep to personal stories instead of technical advice or tips. This isn't a dig at anyone in this thread, but I thought this should be here as a warning in case any other newbies read it and decide to start giving out their own, less considered advice. Simple things like telling someone a bad method for how to flare, can result in broken bones.

If any newbies read this and realise that your friends have been giving you advice that you never heard your instructors mention, please ASK your instructors about it before you accept it as truth!

Having said that, it sounds like you were doing a great job calming down someone's nerves for the flight up to altitude, so well done LiLa

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[bigway 4]

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
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[2fat2fly 0]

I keep my student log book in my gear bag just in case a student is feeling down. After seeing what a horrible student I was, sometimes the student starts feeling like they can get through it. I won't give advice-I'm not qualified. I will give encouragment, I feel like I'm obligated.

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[peregrinerose 0]

I have squat by way of experience, but of course to someone who just finished AFF, 13 jumps seems like a million (it did to me after my first one!). I don't ever give advice, nor listen to advice from anyone who isn't a coach/instructor. I do crack really lame ass jokes. If I can get someone laughing, they automatically relax and relaxing a little bit is the first step in moving forward.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[somethinelse 0]

My tips were nothing technical. Just practical tips that worked worders for me.

-Get to know HEIEGHT OF LANDMARKS around you:
trees(50-100feet depending), rooftop of hangar(40), windows(15), door frame top(8).
-Looking ahead (HORIZON) instead of straight down to get a feel for how close you are to ground in preparaton to flare for landing.
-I told him a smooth, steady (3-count) FLARE worked wonders for me...
PLUS
...His instructor, who was also my old AFF instructor, WAS RIGHT THERE and I said, as he heard me, "Just ask (your instructor) about this, HE'LL tell ya.Right...?"

So I'm sure I'm not saying anything radical.
It's just that the dude has had a really rough go at it.

I REALLY WISH somebody would've been giving me good vibes too when I first began 2 years ago. I am SURE I would be a whole lot further along in this sport by now than what I am...!

But things are good at this dz where I'm training now. and I'm just trying to give some good vibes to somebody who relly needs it.

ps
As I was leaving I stopped to say a few words to him, and asked if I'd encouraged him a little bit...he nodded and gave me the first smile that I have ever seen from this dude!

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[somethinelse 0]

WOW.

Well, I guess we don't pay those costly rental fees for nothin'. Sooner or later, those fees are gonna be used/needed to pay for wear & tear or repairs or ...umm, whatever, Ya Know...?!

PM'd Ya..................

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