Stuck near Eloy with nothing to do?

[fred 0]

It's very likely that I'll be in Casa Grande, AZ visiting my retired parents ("snowbirds") from April 4-April 11. Sadly, that's only 10 minutes outside of Eloy, so I may have to visit Skydive Arizona.

But I'm a very nervous, shy, and introverted person.

I graduated AFF there a little over 2 years ago. I've since qualified for my A (though I haven't filed the paperwork to make it official... I'm darned close to my B)... In 3 years, I've only accumulated a total of about 140 jumps, so I know I have lots to learn. I don't know, my high-stress nature leaves me with so many issues, perhaps I should just enumerate them (in no particular order).

(1) I won't be current. I know what to expect from a currency jump at my home DZ where they know me. I believe I can fly and keep safe, but I'm going to be out about 6 months since my last jump when I head there.
(2) I don't officially have my A... I think there's only one option here, which is to go see my S&TA and get the paperwork finished, but even so, will I get my number in time?
(3) I don't have gear. I have a helmet, altimeter, and audible. And a really nice freefly jumpsuit (thanks Kris!), but I don't have a rig or a good RW suit. At this point, I can't order an RW suit and have it get here in time, ... can I buy off the shelf at Square2? What's the best option for a person on a limited budget as far as renting gear? Can you rent by the jump? Should I rent for the day? I haven't packed a rig since I learned for my A, and I'm certainly not confident doing it. Gear's clearly a big issue for me.
(4) I fall like a rock. When I go solo, my protrack tends to tell me my average speed was around 130. When I try and slow myself down to "as slow as I can", I can get an average of about 124, and when I do that I feel like I can't turn or maneuvre at all.
(5) I won't know anybody. I'll probably try and find the AFFI who instructed me, thank him and tip him a bit more than I could afford last time, but other than that, I won't know a soul there. I'm not afraid to do solo jumps, but in a "new" place, I'd much rather jump with people who know what's going on.

I don't know... here are my insecurities. I'll definately be sending an email to SDA to work out some of the technical details, but I could use some advice. I'm far to nervous about going to a new dropzone than I should be.

[orbitjunkie 0]

Fred..
go out there and jump, chances are there is a skydiver looking for you..I have jumped @ eloy and they are a really cool DZ..go to manifest, tell them you story and I will bet they hook you up ask for Becky and I bet you will find a friend. Kudos to skydive AZ
Craig

[indyz 1]

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(2) I don't officially have my A... I think there's only one option here, which is to go see my S&TA and get the paperwork finished, but even so, will I get my number in time?

Your completed, signed, and stamped proficiency card is a valid A license and any USPA DZ should accept it as long as you have a current USPA membership (but call ahead to make sure anyway).

[KenKnight 0]

Fred,
In my short 84 jump career I've jumped at 4 DZ's in 3 states and have always been treated like family. Don't stress over it, go JUMP and have some fun.

_______________
D28695 PoPs #9237
"Mix ignorance with arrogance at low altitude and the results are almost guaranteed to be spectacular"
— Bruce Landsberg

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

Eloy is a GREAT PLACE for you to "land"!!! Enjoy every minute of your time there. You'll have the freestyle QUEEN, B2 there and if you want coaching, there are some of the BEST at Eloy! Tim Strauss is awesome, Greg Foster is Awesome, and Jason is Awesome! You'll be in skydiver HEAVEN! My AFF program was going sooo slow here in Colorado because of the weather and I wrapped it up in Eloy and I'm so greatful I did! They are the Top of the Tops to say the least! I understand they'll have an event during Easter...perhaps I'll make a trip back at that time because they are such great people to know and spend time with...YAY! ENJOY YOUR TRIP! and let us know how it goes....

_________________________________________

[Tinkerbelle 5]

Be sure to go out to Coolege if it is open! Say HI to Bob Sinclaire form Eloy Annie. Bob is the coolest old guy you will ever meet! He has been jumping since the 40s! Ask to look through his remarkable photo albums and listen to his stories!
I must admit, the Airspeed mystique seems to have overtaken Eloy! Ignore the people with big egos, they all have small ------ anyway! Big ego, small---!
Say Hi to Mikey McGowan from Annie, and be sure to pet his doggies! Mikey is another of the coolest dudes you will ever meet! He's on his own Eastern Religion, clean living, meditation trip, but Hell, I admire him for that! Wish I could do that too!
Oh yeah, and go ascend one of the nearby hills, cool scenery, plant and animal life, and visit the ostriche farm, The Biosphere, and if nothing else go to 4th street in Tucson, cool place for hippie types, and eat deep dish pie pizza with Spinach, garlic, extra cheese, onions, etc... at Zacharies near the University stadium in Tucson! I would drive clear across the US just to eat that pizza!

[elfanie 0]

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Be sure to go out to Coolege if it is open! Say HI to Bob Sinclaire form Eloy Annie.

Yes, Coolidge is Open...been running a king air every weekend. (except this past saturday when we had two skyvan runs along with all of the king air runs). On a rare occasion we have the twin otter...but usually it's a king air.
Bob is still out there (did his weekly potato jump on Sunday...won, again. ) He's a GREAT guy! I just love his stories...he cracks me up.

And you are Eloy Annie? I've heard of you...but don't beleive we've ever "met". *offers hand* Nice to meet you....

(edited to add: Annie....are you the one that charmed Bob out of his D number? )

--------------------------------------------
Elfanie
My Skydiving Page
Fly Safe - Soft Landings

[JohnRich 4]

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Stuck near Eloy with nothing to do?

- Visit the Casa Grande Indian ruins.
- Climb Mt. Picacho.
- Visit Saguaro National Forest.
- Head into the hills to the north and see mountain lakes and dams.
- Drive up Skyline Drive on the mountain overlooking Tucson.
- Visit Catalina State Park, west side of Tucson, with Indian ruins.

[airgord 1]

Do come out.
Do get your "A" qualifications on paper.
Do not worry about getting current here (better off if you already are)
Despite what Tinkerbelle says the only big egos here are visitors from the small DZ's, we tend to stay away from the guys that have something to prove (they are the ones that end up getting a ride in the "red wagon").
The previous posters have pretty much said it all.

[Tink1717 2]

GO TO ELOY!!!
I walked in there, unannounced, knowing not a single soul and had four days of spanking cool jumps. Got to do a balloon (my first), almost got to do a wing suit (weather) and got to see some of the most awsome scenery ever.

Go, go, go!!!

Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off.
-The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!)
AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717

[Zenister 0]

just go jump, get some ground coaching and a refresher jump and play in the lovely arizona sky...

eloy eloy eloy!!

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[Tinkerbelle 5]

Yes, indeed, 'tis I, Eloy Annie!
What have you heard about me? All good I hope! I am a good witch, but for some reason trouble always finds me- go figure!
Yes, Bob wanted me to have his D number so I would forever be his emissary. Actually he wanted it to be legal so he sold it to me for a dollar and wrote me a permission slip just in case anyone doubts the validity. It concludes with... if anyone has a problem with it... tough shit!

[Tinkerbelle 5]

funny skydiving story....
Larry Hill sent me over to Coolege to solicit jumpers for the skyvan at 10$. He gave me 10 jump tickets to do so.
I was discovered, always had trouble hiding in a crowd, so Mike Mullins offered me 10 more of his jump tickets not to go back to Eloy, but to stay there instead. Mike called Larry and told him they had captured his spy and were going to keep her. Eloy denied any knowlege of the scam!
I had a blast at Coolage for the next couple days.

[Tinkerbelle 5]

Gee we have a lot in common. I too am an Elf (or rather have been called a pixie) and the name's Annie, AKA Lenny The Leaping Lemur (he's my emissary- jumps with and protects my man, Carl Daugherty in DeLand when ever I'm not around.)
Nice to meet you!
Take a picture of yourself with Bob! Keep one for yourself-might be worth something someday! And give one to Bob for his album- you know how he loves the ladies!

[Tinkerbelle 5]

Eloy is my 3rd home next to DeLand and Santa Cruz, Hawaii, Seattle, Alaska, San Diego, and Dallas area.
Whatever you do... drive the speed limit and watch for cops, they're vicious out there!
You may wonder why all the locals drive so slow... so did I 'till I got my first of a couple of tickets!

[Tinkerbelle 5]

Hey, Eloy Annie didn't say anything about big egos in Coolege...
That's the diff 'tween coolege and Eloy.
Eloy has some big egos, but what I said about that was: big egos, small ...
Coolege has a completely opposite dynamic- by comparison it's family, unity, let's all have fun and eat lunch together! Of course I haven't been there since Scotty Carbone left with the CarboneZone. He really held that place together since everyone gathered around to eat, talk, and drink together whenever he rang the dinner bell!
Great place, good times had by all!
Prettier scenery in Coolege, more natural!

[Tinkerbelle 5]

But if you go to Eloy, the Team Flail will take care of you! Lenny The Leaping Lemur is proud to be a member of that illustrious group! TF#136

[jsaxton 0]

dude, you're going to be 10 MINUTES away from the DZ, You can rent gear there, you may need to do a check jump with an AFFI because you aren't current and don't have a license, if you had a license the ISP says that a coach can do a recurrency jump with you (probably cheaper).

If you're nervous about jumping with other people, just do and do a couple of solos.

[elfanie 0]

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Yes, Bob wanted me to have his D number so I would forever be his emissary. Actually he wanted it to be legal so he sold it to me for a dollar and wrote me a permission slip just in case anyone doubts the validity. It concludes with... if anyone has a problem with it... tough shit!

Hee hee...
I was chatting with Bob this weekend...and told him I had 'met' you on the computer. ("Oh, I don't get into new Fad things like computers." he says with that cheshire grin of his)

I told him what you'd said..he laughed and said that he did not sell the number to you...he GAVE it to you, and mentioned the ticket he gave you to prove that it was yours.
He's doing well, though...still does his potato exit about once a week or every other week (and on days with higher winds aloft...pisses people off in his charming "kiss my butt" way... Gotta love Bob..)
he did hope that you were doing better..

anyways...he wanted me to relay the message, so I have fulfilled my promise to do so.

--------------------------------------------
Elfanie
My Skydiving Page
Fly Safe - Soft Landings

[Tinkerbelle 5]

Thanks!
I hope all those sceptics read this validation.
I can just hear Bob saying that "I don't get into FAD things like computers...." stuff. That is so Bob! He is great isn't he! Definitely a skydiving icon everyone should have the privilege to meet some day!
Eloy Annie!

Rehab is for quitters.