how do i go down while tracking?

[Newbie 0]

on the few tracking jumps i've done i tend to maintain height as everyone else drops down. I just got back from one now and the other 2 dropped about 100ft below me and i arched and also went to what felt like a near head down position but still couldnt get down to them (it wasnt head down, i mean i could still see them, but i was past a 45 degree angle)

I couldnt get down to them, but i stayed up with them which i guess is something. Anyhoo any help on helping me get down to the others would be appreciated, thanks.

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[weegegirl 2]

Actually, dude... sounds like you are the one tracking correctly here. Most people have trouble tracking because their track is too steep. It's more difficult to learn a shallow track. Just my opinion.

[WrongWay 0]

Weegegirl is totally right. The most common problem I've seen (and experienced) is that most freefly tracking dives are very steep so that everyone can keep up, whereas a "better" (take that term lightly) tracker will be very shallow, and if you get used to these steep dives, your track will get steep, and you'll sink out on every tracking dive you get on with very experienced leaders.

So now you're thinking "Okay, so I'm tracking well, wtf do I do to get in on these dives then?". My answer to you, hell if I know, but I'll humor you with a general freely zen statement.

Just fly your body.

Wrong Way
D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451
The wiser wolf prevails.

[rocketdog 0]

HONESTLY, i am in no way qualified to talk, but common sense would tell me to ARCH MORE to get down there.....

......but everyone seems to be saying you have the better track :)

~hollywood

see the world! http://gorocketdog.blogspot.com

[VectorBoy 0]

If you are arching hard already you can for a second bend your legs up at the knees until you come up with the right amount of fall rate. You can also pull your arms in flat to your sides, maybe even enough to put your hands on your ass.
If you are constantly tracking in this position find other people to track with.

[karenmeal 0]

Treat it like a normal belly formation.. arch hard to come down behind the tracking dive, then once you are on level and are at the back of the group, match their fall rate and begin to drive in. What you do not want to do in situations like this, is dive straight for the leader. Pick a point back behind everyone to aim for. When I am in a steep tracking dive I will sometimes bring my arms way back so that I am pretty much holding my hands behind my rig. Then I just arch like a mo-fo.

Also, make sure that once you make it into the formation that all of your corrections are slow and smooth, its difficult to constantly be aware of who is behind you and to your sides, so you need to pick a spot and stay there.

Double check this one with your organizer, but in my opinion, if you are directly above a tracking dive and cannot get down to them, break-off early! This is a bad spot to be in as you may be a good deal higher than the group and people may not see you on break-off.

And then finally... it takes pretty much everyone a while to figure out tracking dives. Its a tricky thing, not quite freeflying, not quite RW... you'll get the hang of it before too long.. don't worry.

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

[jmfreefly 0]

High and back, lead with the head and dive.

High and close, lead with the belly and arch.