How do I fall with the BIG BOYS?

[beckyJ 0]

I'm a light girl and usually end up flying on my head. In a sit I just can't keep up with they guys I jump with. Does anyone have any tips on how to fall faster, positions to try etc. I usually wear 16lbs. of weights, but if a little air hits my chest I'm out of the picture (unless I go to my head).

[weegegirl 2]

make them slow down!

[Zenister 0]

get really good at flying in a stand/tight sit position.... most of the 'floaty' types i jump with have to stand at 'average' sit fly speeds.. they should also be adjusting to you some (fall rate is about compromise), but if everyone else has to backfly to stay with you as a base, you are probably going to slow...

of course that also means you can spend LOTS of time on your head... I know a few light girls who can fly daffy with me on my belly....

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

[brierebecca 0]

hey Becky,

normally I wouldn't reply because I'm really not that experienced, but I have some experience in the area, because I'm also a small girl. My best advice would be to stop telling yourself that you can't fall with them in your sit. Because fall rate in sit-flying is easily manipulated, and it's probably not because of weight that you're not getting down there, but technique. I'm about 100 lbs, and I just did a sit jump in the high 170s, taking grips, and I never wear weight. I know a lot of other people who are small and don't have fall rate problems, too.

When I first started freeflying, I used to have floating issues, too. The problems I had were in my legs (I had partially extended my lower legs so they were catching air), and my back (it wasn't straight up, so it was catching air, too). Take a look at some video and see if you're having problems there. The other advice I have is to drop the weight if you're not using it for swooping. It's not necessary to have that much weight on, unless you're on a record attempt and the base is going 200 mph. Really, it's just hampering your progress. I've worn weight on occasion, but never to sit-fly. You should be able to fall in the 150-160s in your sit without weight. (unless you're really tiny and/or have bad body position). Also, when I go to move forward or backward in my sit, I try to concentrate less on actually leaning my chest forward or backward, and more on manipulating my hips. This exposes less surface area to the wind, and it exposes it exactly where you need it. If you concentrate on moving your back (which I really only do if I need to get somewhere REALLY FAST), you really expose more surface area than you need to move, and this can cause you to pop up. I have also found that women are much more dynamic if they move their hips instead of their backs, because this is where the female center of gravity is. A male will always find that he can move somewhere quicker if he moves his back, because his center of gravity is much higher.

The other thing is that the boys you jump with may be averaging a REALLY FAST fall rate in their sits. If they're above 175, I'd say you're probably not the problem, because I would consider that a pretty fast sit. People with more experience, please correct me if I'm wrong.

The other thing you can do if you're not getting coaching, is to just go out with the boys and do your best to get down there. It's all a question of surface area, and I've always learned best by doing. If I needed to get faster, I would find a way. Try flying "head up" instead of sit flying (like Dave Brown flies in his sit), with your legs extended more. I've found this is a more dynamic position anyway for fast movement.

Well, it's probably not the answer you were looking for, but I thought another small girl perspective might help you out...

"Ive seen you hump air, hump the floor of the plane, and hump legs. You now have a new nickname: "Black Humper of Death"--yardhippie

[78RATS 0]

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If they're above 175, I'd say you're probably not the problem

Yes. That is hauling ass.

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Try flying "head up" instead of sit flying (like Dave Brown flies in his sit), with your legs extended more.

Exactly. And you can fly arms up to spill air and increase your speed.

Rat for Life - Fly till I die
When them stupid ass bitches ask why

[ianmdrennan 2]

I'd agree with Brie. Assuming you're not 5'10 and 100 pounds (light and long limbs) you should be able to fly comfortably within the speeds of a 'reasonable' sitfly.

Something else to consider is excessive drag on the jumpsuit. While you should still be able to fly with people, it can make your life much harder than it needs to be.

Blues,
Ian

Performance Designs Factory Team