thetreehugger

I am pretty new to skydiving. I've found that I come across two kinds of people out of people I know: those that are excited and happy for me, and those who try to scare me and are non-supportive. I don't know what their motivation is. Someone posted on my FB wall the other day about a fatality in Ontario -- why?? what is the motivation? i understand there are risks involved, but there are risks in driving a vehicle. Should I get notified with postings any time there is a car accident? It just bothers me. A lot. I purposely don't watch the news because it gives me anxiety, so I really don't need someone doing that to me. And i find, even though my drop zone is like 90% amazing people, there are a handful who seem to ENJOY talking about people's injuries and deaths and whatever else. I wonder if they are doing it on purpose to seem really cool ("yeah, well ___ happened to me...") or to scare the new jumpers. I usually try to just walk away. I just wish people would keep their opinions and thoughts to themselves. I've found this aspect of my new sport really difficult.

Hi. I'm new too. Working on getting my solo, and then we will see what happens after that. :)

Hello! Excited to be here. I'm from BC, and am really new at the sport. I'm loving it though. So much to learn. So much fun. Great community of people. :) Background: I did my first tandem in late April, this year. I was terrified. I hate heights. I don't like roller coasters. I'm not a dare devil. The door opened and I was so scared. But we went, and OMG. It was amazing. I was, literally, shaking when the parachute opened. I just couldn't believe what happened was real. It was so crazy and surreal. I knew I wanted to do it again. I did my 2nd tandem exactly 3 months later. I wanted to make sure I really did like it. And to enjoy the ENTIRE experience more. (the 1st one, I was so terrified that I didn't experience it fully). Loved my 2nd. Waited around a bit. Knew I wanted to go again, but tandems are expensive. Decided to at least try taking the 1st jump course. I didn't know if I'd actually jump by myself on jump day, but took the course anyway. My instructor was SO awesome and it was VERY reassuring knowing the systems in place and how everything works. Knowledge is power, and for me, knowing how parachutes work, emergency procedures, etc. was what I needed. Jump day came, I did my first IAD and WOO HOO! I loved it! The adrenaline from going out by myself and navigating myself down (with radio, of course) was amazing. AGAIN AGAIN! I did my 2nd IAD that day. Now, still really new, but I've got 7 solos under my belt. I did my 1st free fall yesterday, which was a whole new experience. I was in charge of my OWN pilot chute. I was so damn nervous, not going to lie, but managed to deep breathe myself into calming down while I was hanging on the strut -- then went! Loved it! And did my 2nd free fall yesterday afternoon. (with a 5 second delay this time) I have learned so much already. I am now cleared to be off radio (hurrah!) and am getting better at understanding winds and landing patterns, etc. So so excited to be doing this. It's hilarious, too, in a way., because I hate being scared. But this is a different "scared" (you know what I mean, I'm sure). Anyway, can't wait to "meet" you all and be part of this forum. :)