pimpin8ez 0 #1 July 9, 2004 Now that I have my A License, it seems like the possibilities are endless. Which is great, but now I need a little advice on where to go from here. Should I pick one discipline and stick to it, then go to others? Try a little of everything and try to advance that way? It seems like trying a little of everything may help me become a more well-rounded skydiver. I think it would be fun to mix it up too. On the other hand, focusing on FF or RW could help me get good quickly in one area...hmmmm Also, once I've decided which way or ways to go, how do I get instruction? I've heard people mention getting coached way beyond A License status. Does that mean I will be paying for instruction? My assumption is that I will be able to buddy up with whoever is around and ask if they want to jump with me, or if I can join in on a small-way. "I poop too much...and then I get tired." -Beavis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #2 July 9, 2004 Your profile does not say where you are from so I will just give you my experiences. . . At Elsinore and at Perris there are beginners 2-way skills camps. The coaching is free - you just pay for your slots. I have done these since I got my license. Because I have just focused on RW, I am now doing 4-way and larger stuff. It is a lot of fun. At both of these dropzones are also weekend skills camps that will help you to improve 100% in whichever discipline you choose. Check at your home DZ and see if they have similar coaching and camps. Also, every year at Elsinore is a weekend boogie called Bridge the Gap. It is for newer skydivers. We get seminars on gear, choices of whether to get coaching on FF or RW and a big dinner and party on Saturday night. Get involved in everything you can at your DZ and make sure people know you are there. It is the best way to get invited on the good jumps. . .i.e.; they cannot invite you if they don't know you. Have lots of fun too. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #3 July 9, 2004 its a little easier on your ego if you just suck at one thing at a time. start with one, get good at it, and then learn the other if you want. if you're trying to learn too many things at once, its harder to get them into muscle memory and really feel comfortable. It takes longer. if you do 50 freefly jumps and 50 RW jumps, you're not going to be as good in either discipline as someone who only has 100 freefly, or 100 RW. Its a frustrating position to be in. I see it all the time with karate students who've been training in multiple arts. They've got three years under their belt, but look like they've only got one, because they've been splitting their time between two schools, instead of just picking one and getting good at it first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adrenalinejunki 0 #4 July 9, 2004 I agree with Nightingal but myself I try to get in on the RW jumps and when I have to jump solo I play around with sitflying (still needs alot of work). My biggest goal after making my A license was 100 jumps and a B license. Just don't forget what skydiving is all about though. Fun, friends and the lust for life! Blue Ones __________________________________________________What's the worst that can happen? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
larsrulz 0 #5 July 9, 2004 You need to decide what you want to do. There is no reason you have to get good at one thing before you try something new. If you wish to be average at both FF and RW, then do that. But if you wish to be competative at RW and good at FF, then you'll need to work on one at a time. As for getting better at whatever you decide. It depends on your dropzone. At some DZs, there are people who will help you out fresh off your A license. Some DZs will have people that require you pay their slot if you wish them to jump with you. Others will require you pay them and their slot to jump with you. The best way, IMO, is to find a fellow new A license jumper, then start jumping with them. You may become a better jumper by 100 jumps with a coach, but you'll be able to make twice as many if you jump with a friend, and the learning curve isn't all that bad if you try. If you do have a problem with your friend, then you two can jointly pay a coach slot for a jump or two to see if they can help the problem. Most importantly...just have fun and start jumpin'! I got a strong urge to fly, but I got no where to fly to. -PF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bch7773 0 #6 July 9, 2004 Quote The best way, IMO, is to find a fellow new A license jumper, then start jumping with them. don't forget the saying though... "the most dangerous way to learn something is with someone who hasn't done it before" i.e. you and your low timer buddy decide to try a sitfly, and one of you sinks under the other and corks... whereas a experienced jumper can keep himself from getting above a newbie sitflyer. I'm not saying that 2 lowtimers jumping together is unsafe or bad, you just have to be more careful. MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plowdirt 0 #7 July 11, 2004 Who says you have o get good at any discipline, just go out there and skydive, everyone wants to freefly, and be cool, but the reality is your comfort level, try to get coaching. I know some free fliers will not jump with you unless your stable sitting. so one step at a time, get in on some RW their a blast when your learning, then all that other stuff will come. Always try to find someone to jump with havce a good time and be safe. oh by the way you owe BEER!!!! yea!!! ED! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #8 July 12, 2004 QuoteQuote The best way, IMO, is to find a fellow new A license jumper, then start jumping with them. don't forget the saying though... "the most dangerous way to learn something is with someone who hasn't done it before" i.e. you and your low timer buddy decide to try a sitfly, and one of you sinks under the other and corks... whereas a experienced jumper can keep himself from getting above a newbie sitflyer. I'm not saying that 2 lowtimers jumping together is unsafe or bad, you just have to be more careful. You aren't saying it but there are lots of people who have. I have 90% of my jumps RW, and do a little FF here and there when I just HAVE to be on the plane and there isn't anyone to do RW with. I won't FF with anyone who isn't good enough to stay with me and out of the way if I end up corking etc. Two low skill people trying to FF together IS a bad idea.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
