skycat 0 #1 April 9, 2003 Why can't we all just get along? How many times have we seen the my DZ is better than your DZ battles on here. I've even seen people do it who haven't been to the other DZ, just repeating what others at their home DZ have told them because they don't want to be labeled as not loyal or not part of the cool crowd. How many times have you yourself been labeled as "not loyal" or as a "traitor" for going to another DZ? How about made uncomfortable and made to feel not welcome when you go back to your 1st DZ, after being on a team or working at DZ2? How about if you have moved to a new DZ and since you are an outsider and don't jump the same kind of gear as everyone else you are constantly harassed about it? (i.e. higher wingload due to more progressive previous DZ, not the popular DZ container) Then when you go to another DZ where maybe someone will jump with you and not constantly make you feel like you have to prove yourself, rumors are started that you hate the 1st DZ. In the last year I've seen all of the above happen so many times it makes me sick to my stomach. One of my best friends has quit because of it, and there wasn't a single thing I could think of to say to her to make her change her mind because....well.....it's been all I could do to convince myself to keep jumping. (which I'm not doing a very good job of) So why must we go at eachothers throats and stab eachother in the back? Why feel the need to talk bad about DZs, espeically ones you have never been to? Why give DZs more importance than just a ride to altitude, because from what I've seen is all we are to a DZ is $20.Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylin 1 #2 April 9, 2003 Im not trying to knock or disagree with what youre saying, but from what I can see, skydivers get along remarkably well compared to other sports, and I say remarkably well. So there are a few things youre mentioning here. Compare that to what I mention, you drop in on a local's wave, he stalks you on the next one and runs over you, fins in the face and all. The locals see you take a wave and fall on what they consider a perfectly fine wave, they meet up with you in the parking lot and there's a fight. Lets get down to some areas, you didnt put your surfboard on top of your car with the fins facing forward, some locals see that and take it out on you in the ocean. If some kook drops in on me, I get pretty pissed, not enough to start a fight, but pissed enough to shout a few unpleasant things. I see youre a girl, theres a lot, and I mean a lot of prejudice in that sport against women participating. You dont see that at the DZ, so dont get too spoiled!!! Believe me when I say you have it much better in skydiving than you would in another sport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 April 9, 2003 QuoteI see youre a girl, theres a lot, and I mean a lot of prejudice in that sport against women participating. I don't think you know who you're talking to!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylin 1 #4 April 9, 2003 QuoteQuoteI see youre a girl, theres a lot, and I mean a lot of prejudice in that sport against women participating. I don't think you know who you're talking to! I wasnt saying that from the standpoint of what I think, I dont have any problem with women. What Im saying is that I know others who do, and theyre pretty radical about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #5 April 9, 2003 ROTFLMAOCMEO.... sorry i'm having trouble breathing after reading that...thanks for the entertainment____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #6 April 9, 2003 No, I just don't think you understand the caliber of women you're talking to and about. I also don't think that you understand the experience she has skydiving and the respect she commands where she goes!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #7 April 9, 2003 It's almost summer (even though it snowed again this week). Everyone will go to their respective DZ and have fun. The bickering won't start again until the end of the season. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylin 1 #8 April 9, 2003 QuoteNo, I just don't think you understand the caliber of women you're talking to and about. I also don't think that you understand the experience she has skydiving and the respect she commands where she goes! It has nothing to do with me respecting women in skydiving and it has nothing to do with skydiving experience, read the post. Im making the observation that in other sports I dont see any respect for women, especially surfing, and to me it looks like skydivers get along remarkably well compared to other sports. Thats just what I see, I dont know, Im new to it so maybe Im wrong. Maybe youd like to fill me in on that. That doesnt have anything to do with what I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #9 April 9, 2003 OT post.. I've heard lots of other skydivers talk about this, but thus far (in my limited skydiving experience so far) I have been lucky enough not to observe it. So far every dropzone Ive been too and jumped at has been very welcoming. Perhaps i've only been to "non-political" dropzones or maybe i just havent run into the right (or wrong) people yet..but everyone ive met has been amazingly cool and very helpful about hooking me up with other jumpers to fly with and learn from.____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylin 1 #10 April 9, 2003 QuoteIt's almost summer (even though it snowed again this week). Everyone will go to their respective DZ and have fun. The bickering won't start again until the end of the season. Yea, that drop kind of gets everything else out of your system doesnt it? Stress releiver. I was pretty stessed out last week from this job, but after that I felt much better, load off my mind. The things I have to do to relieve stress, now they got me falling out of airplanes! Whats next. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betzilla 56 #11 April 9, 2003 QuotePerhaps i've only been to "non-political" dropzones Where's the non-political one? I wanna go there! I started jumping at a little tiny cornfield DZ. When I moved to Chicago, I went to SDC a couple times and felt TOTALLY out of place -- I had an old rig, and none of my friends with me. Combine that with the almost-freakishly nice facility, and I decided to jump somewhere else. Of course, I met my fiance (who runs the loft at SDC) before that happened, so at SDC i stayed. But I still don't really feel like I "belong" there. My attitude is just different, because of where I learned to jump. I know I'm not the only one to have that kind of experience -- DZ's can be intimidating. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #12 April 9, 2003 Quote Whats next. Tomorrow, April 9th at 14:30 MST, I become voluntarily unemployed. April 15th, I begin the trek East to Illinois...That's what's next... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylin 1 #13 April 9, 2003 QuoteQuotePerhaps i've only been to "non-political" dropzones Where's the non-political one? I wanna go there! Eloy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betzilla 56 #14 April 9, 2003 QuoteTomorrow, April 9th at 14:30 MST, I become voluntarily unemployed. April 15th, I begin the trek East to Illinois...That's what's next... you should come by SDC (but if you don't wear that hat, I won't recognize you....). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylin 1 #15 April 9, 2003 Quote Quote Whats next. Tomorrow, April 9th at 14:30 MST, I become voluntarily unemployed. April 15th, I begin the trek East to Illinois...That's what's next... Let me put that in skydiving terms...you mean cutting away without packing a reserve? Tried that a long time ago, gave me something else to worry about, like hitting the bottom for instance. Nope, Ill be packing a reserve next time, when the economy gets better. I mean a reserve that holds up and carries me all the way in. From now on, I first pull the reserve handle, then cut away, its the only way to go. Why cutaway first and then take chances? Its like they always say, dont cut away before pulling the reserve (quit your job without another lined up). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betzilla 56 #16 April 9, 2003 QuoteNope, Ill be packing a reserve next time, when the economy gets better. I mean a reserve that holds up and carries me all the way in. From now on, I first pull the reserve handle, then cut away, its the only way to go. Why cutaway first and then take chances? Dude, you gotta clarify that you're speaking metaphorically here, or people'll get all over you again.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,990 #17 April 9, 2003 >Maybe youd like to fill me in on that. I believe the replies you've been seeing were in reply to your original post where you said: >Believe me when I say you have it much better in skydiving than you >would in another sport. Imagine, if you will, that you're a world class surfer. You've won a few competitions, have taught many others how to surf, have set the bar a bit higher for everyone else. After many years of surfing you get a little fed up with the antics of other surfers. A new guy comes along. He was originally a motocross biker, but started surfing a few days ago. He tells you how surfing is so much better than motocross, how cool everyone in surfing is. Now, even though he may mean well, might you think that he doesn't _completely_ understand the culture yet? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #18 April 9, 2003 Quoteyou should come by SDC (but if you don't wear that hat, I won't recognize you....). I have many hats, but you'll have to come to the WFFC to see them all. I'll be down in Peoria but will definately be up to SDC sometime in the near future... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #19 April 9, 2003 QuoteQuoteQuotePerhaps i've only been to "non-political" dropzones Where's the non-political one? I wanna go there! Eloy! Eloy has it's share of politics also, but due to the size and the amount of people who go threw there who aren't local whatever politics there are are usually hidden. Try going to a smaller DZ where there is a group of 20-30 regulars and very few visitors, then tell me there aren't politics. Just wait till you want to get on one of the "cool" loads and because you don't have 2000 jumps they laugh in your face. I'm actually really lucky, I can't remember ever not being able to get on a load I wanted to (well until I moved here that is), but I've seen it happen over and over again to people at every DZ and boogie I visit.Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #20 April 9, 2003 QuoteLet me put that in skydiving terms...you mean cutting away without packing a reserve? Tried that a long time ago, gave me something else to worry about, like hitting the bottom for instance. I did it 12 years ago when I left Illinois and I'm not too worried now. I'm a trooper, I'll live. Besides, I've got no debt other than my truck payment. WooHoo!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betzilla 56 #21 April 9, 2003 I'll have to sneak away to do it, but I'll be at WFFC for a couple days this year. THAT's the DZ without politics-- I'd almost forgotten. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylin 1 #22 April 9, 2003 Quote>Maybe youd like to fill me in on that. I believe the replies you've been seeing were in reply to your original post where you said: >Believe me when I say you have it much better in skydiving than you >would in another sport. Imagine, if you will, that you're a world class surfer. I like the way you think!!! Someday. I dont have the wave count, but do have the motivation, and thats what counts more than anything, how much you put into it. With a lot of practice, a lot of training, and sticking to it, Ill get there someday. Got a very long ways to go. Course I could say the same thing about skydiving. I dont know yet where thats going, so Im going to find out sooner or later. Either its something Im good at or something Im not good at, too early to tell. You've won a few competitions, have taught many others how to surf, have set the bar a bit higher for everyone else. After many years of surfing you get a little fed up with the antics of other surfers. The kind of person I am, that isnt going to happen. Unlike the others, I actually like being out there with the crowd and catching the same wave with 20 others. But thats just me. Im weird. A new guy comes along. He was originally a motocross biker, but started surfing a few days ago. He tells you how surfing is so much better than motocross, how cool everyone in surfing is. Now, even though he may mean well, might you think that he doesn't _completely_ understand the culture yet? If hes saying that about surfing, probably not. Id say he's fixing to get a wake up call, depending on what he does and how he does it. He may be like me, I stay out of everybodys way, so I get along with everybody. Believe it or not, thats importand. When you got bad vibes, you get bad results. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylin 1 #23 April 9, 2003 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuotePerhaps i've only been to "non-political" dropzones Where's the non-political one? I wanna go there! Eloy! Eloy has it's share of politics also, but due to the size and the amount of people who go threw there who aren't local whatever politics there are are usually hidden. Try going to a smaller DZ where there is a group of 20-30 regulars and very few visitors, then tell me there aren't politics. Just wait till you want to get on one of the "cool" loads and because you don't have 2000 jumps they laugh in your face. I'm actually really lucky, I can't remember ever not being able to get on a load I wanted to (well until I moved here that is), but I've seen it happen over and over again to people at every DZ and boogie I visit. Interesting. I try to stay clear of any politics. Shouldnt be too hard for me, I always act like Im in my own world. And I am! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylin 1 #24 April 9, 2003 QuoteQuoteNope, Ill be packing a reserve next time, when the economy gets better. I mean a reserve that holds up and carries me all the way in. From now on, I first pull the reserve handle, then cut away, its the only way to go. Why cutaway first and then take chances? Dude, you gotta clarify that you're speaking metaphorically here, or people'll get all over you again... "Dude"? No no no, got to take a few waves and get some salt water in your brain before you get to start talking like that. Around here only I get to say "Dude", you have to say "whuffo", lets try this: Whuffo, you gotta clarify that you're speaking metaphorically here, or people'll get all over you again........sound better? Speaking metaphorically here: cutaway - turn in your resignation reserve - the next job you have lined up cutaway first - quit your job without another job pull the reserve - start your next job after quitting the last, so no breaks in income hitting bottom - running out of money because you quit your first job without another lined up....now you cant go skydiving!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zenister 0 #25 April 9, 2003 QuoteQuoteQuotePerhaps i've only been to "non-political" dropzones Where's the non-political one? I wanna go there! Eloy! OMG..i'm worried the sun might not come up in the morning. since i'm about to agree with stylin... but i have to add Perris (in my limited experience of it) was sooo much like eloy i felt right at home.. Kapowsin, was completely different, but everyone there was just as welcoming and treated me like a old friend from the first day (night actually) i came out to see the DZ. granted at Kapowsin they didnt invite me on the largish FF dives right off, but i expected that..after i had jumped a few smaller dives and 'proved' i could fly safely, it wasnt a problem..____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 1 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Zenister 0 #25 April 9, 2003 QuoteQuoteQuotePerhaps i've only been to "non-political" dropzones Where's the non-political one? I wanna go there! Eloy! OMG..i'm worried the sun might not come up in the morning. since i'm about to agree with stylin... but i have to add Perris (in my limited experience of it) was sooo much like eloy i felt right at home.. Kapowsin, was completely different, but everyone there was just as welcoming and treated me like a old friend from the first day (night actually) i came out to see the DZ. granted at Kapowsin they didnt invite me on the largish FF dives right off, but i expected that..after i had jumped a few smaller dives and 'proved' i could fly safely, it wasnt a problem..____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
