JoHawley

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Everything posted by JoHawley

  1. JoHawley
    Try driving at 120mph and sticking your head out of the sunroof to get an idea of how windy it feels...second thought, don't try that!
  2. JoHawley
    There have been problems in the UK. Ryan Air have turned friends of mine away (without a refund...) and I was told by airport security on Monday that I was lucky to be flying British Midland, as airlines such as Go (owned by Ryan Air now I think) and Easyjet "won't touch" parachutes. Moral fo the story - check it into the hold and keep quiet.
  3. JoHawley
    I pack my own, but it's a brand new Sabre 2 and it don't look pretty!
  4. JoHawley
    A friend of mine recently flew into a bank on landing. He was surprised at the amount of damage (serious steelwork in the leg and a broken back) and he's curious to know what sort of impact speed it was. He flies a Sabre 2 150 loaded at about 1.55. There was no wind. Is there a formula to work out how fast he was going? Cheers Jo
  5. JoHawley
    Could you try swapping with someone else who has a different colour and doesn't mind?
  6. JoHawley
    It was one fo those things that I thought I would do once at some point in my life. Then on a train journey I met someone who organises challenge events to raise money for the Royal National Institute for Deaf People. I signed up for a tandem straight away and convinced a few friends that it was a good idea. My mother asked me not to do it, so I didn't tell her until afterwards that I had gone through with it. I called her straight away and she said 'Well thank goodness you have got it out of your system'...hmmm...I did my AFF a couple of months later and haven't looked back since!
  7. JoHawley
    Just consider yourself lucky and try not to jump before you are feeling confident and well again. I am trying to take that advice myself. I landed badly on a runway recently and was gutted that I had scuffed my brand new rig and helmet and am really frustrated to be grounded. I have a dodgy foot and know I should let it heal properly before I jump again. I was feeling annoyed about all this, then a mate of mine had an off landing and broke his back and leg. He will be ok, but will be out for a while, but it certainly put my own woes into perspectives! Take care. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Jo
  8. JoHawley
    I agree completely. A couple of jumps ago I landed hard on a runway. I don't remember much about it, but from the state of my full face and the duration of my concussion, I was very happy to have been jumping with a helmet. Here in Belgium they are fairly relaxed on the rules for helmets, but as a Brit, I never jump without one and given that the amount of paint lost on my helmet is probably only a fraction of the skin I would have lost from the back of my head, I don't think I'll be jumping wihout one any time soon. It's not cool to have holes in your head...
  9. JoHawley
    Yikes - line over on a BASE canopy can't be fun!
  10. JoHawley
    Anyone tried the French wind tunnel yet near Paris? I don't live that far away (about 3 hours to drive I think) so am tempted to go try it out. I have just over 70 jumps and want to work on formation stuff. Should I get an intructor in there with me from my club who I often jump with or get coaching from someone who is used to the tunnel? Also what is a good amount of time to spend in there for a first timer? Advice welcome! Jo
  11. JoHawley
    Welcome to the wonderful world of skydiving! I did my tandem this time last year and had exactly the same experience. There was no way I could have left it at just one jump as so many people do. You have many many adventures ahead. You'll have a blast! Enjoy! Jo
  12. JoHawley
    How on earth did you find this site?! Do you know this person?! The more I read the more nauseous I feel...
  13. JoHawley
    Despite its location, most people seem to be dutch-speaking, so not a problem at all. I live in Brussels, so Spa is about 1 hour 20 from me and whilst I know there are DZs nearer, I love it at Spa. Everyone is really friendly and there is a real community feeling, which you don't get everywhere. Like I said, I'll be there on Saturday. Don't put it off any longer! Tandems are 180 euros and video 70 euros.
  14. JoHawley
    During my first 20 or so jumps I got quite nervous, but that pretty much goes away. I still occassionally look at a gorgeous blue sky and think "Excellent. Jumping today!" followed by nervous butterflies or I sometimes feel nervous in the plane, but once I am in the door, all that is forgotten. Stick with it. It'll get easier. Jo
  15. JoHawley
    I see you are based in Belgium. Which DZs have you contacted? I jump in Spa (and occassionally Namur) and will be in Spa on Staurday - weather permitting. Come see us! You don't need to book a tandem at this time of the year, just turn up. I did a tandem first and then AFF. A tandem is not a waste, as you can just sit back and enjoy the ride and see if it is for you. Also I found I was much more aware of what was going on during my first AFF jump, as it wasn't the first time my brain had had to cope with the sensory overload of freefall. Hope to see you jumping soon.
  16. JoHawley
    Sorry, you missed the weekend I was seeing people I could ask. Why not get their phone number off the website and give them a call?
  17. JoHawley
    I hated the exit during the first few dives after I had finished my AFF. For about half a dozen jumps, I went out eyes closed thinking "it's ok, you'll be in freefall in a moment". No idea why I had such a problem, but now it is one of the best moments!
  18. JoHawley
    See ya there!
  19. JoHawley
    I don't understand. Sorry.
  20. JoHawley
    I'm Langar-trained and know the yellow one. He's a star. You'll have a blast. Enjoy. Jo x
  21. JoHawley
    How useful...I shall try them out. I speak German and so apparently sound like your Queen when I attempt to speak Swedish...
  22. JoHawley
    I jump in Belgium, but not at Malle (mostly at Spa, but sometimes Namur). I can try to find out from friends this weekend if you have any specific questions about Malle. Jo
  23. JoHawley
    Having trained at Langar this Summer, it was cool to see an article on a Langar jumper. Living and jumping in Belgium now, but will see you Langar jump bunnies very soon. Jo
  24. JoHawley
    Hej (one of the few words in Swedish I know!)Greetings from Belgium. Not so cold here, but plenty of rain Happy jumping. Jo
  25. JoHawley
    I jump in Belgium too. Do most of my jumping at Spa (but have done some at Namur). I order clothes/equipment etc through the skydive shop in Spa. You could check out the website www.skydivecenterspa.com