NeedToJump

Not in an age way, in a wisdom and teaching way. Plus, your flying skill would shame Yoda when he's jumping and flipping around with a light sabre Seriously, Joe is the best teacher / instructor / coach I've worked with. I can't wait to make it up to Raeford and see everyone.

All the guys LoudDan listed are fantastic. To add to that, if you are in Sebastian ask for Lyle Presse. Basically, it doesn't matter where in Florida you will be. All the big dropzones have well established canopy coaches who can help you. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Your best bet would be to contact them directly and ask. Scott Miller's contact information can be found on the Flight-1 website. Brian Germain has a page on his web site called How To: Get Brian Germain to Teach at your Drop Zone Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

And this is exactly why people should practice cutting away on the ground with their own gear so they know if the cutaway cable is pulled out completely. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Yeah, John Suiter is the God Father of tunnel flying. Joe - you're the Yoda

Give them a call and ask. I don't think it will be a problem as long as you can sort out getting a ride back. The beach at SBI is my favorite place to land

Scott Miller, as well as other highly qualified canopy coaches, travel around giving courses as well. Since you are interested in pursuing canopy flight, I would highly recommend actively searching out a canopy course rather than waiting for if you ever make it to DeLand. The sooner you can get some canopy coaching, the better off you'll be. I think Scott's course is fantastic and highly recommend it, but I'd also suggest not just limiting yourself to one person's teachings. Take Brian Germain's course, take Ian Drennan's course, take as many courses and get as much coaching as you can. Everyone is going to teach different things and teach in a different manner. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

It's better to land out than break yourself or worse trying to make it back. I'm really not trying to bash you so I hope it doesn't come off like that. It just seems like you're rushing into things very quickly and making excuses why you think it's ok when people with much more experience are warning you of these things. When you see a lot of experienced jumpers all telling you the same thing, there's probably good reason for it. Please be careful. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

I read your post and I don't understand why you had to front riser the landing. Bad conditions that you are not used to is the worst time to try an unfamiliar approach. Your canopy doesn't care if there is zero wind, 20mph or if you are landing downwind. It still moves through the air the same way. In the situation you just described, you would be much better off landing backwards and PLFing. Question - why, after having the landing you described, did you decide to jump again in those same conditions? If the wind was such that you were flying backwards in full flight and you were not comfortable landing, why did you choose to jump again? Please be careful out there. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Go to one of the tunnels and apply for a job. They'll take care of training you. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

I thought the existing Florida record is 24 but I could be wrong. I believe we're going for 30+ for the new record. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

PM sent... I'll be there. Congratulations Norman! Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

I just felt the need to restate this. Come out and help us break the record!

Once again, Tunnel for the Cause was fantastic! Congratulations Paige on putting on another successful event! All the students on Friday night did extremely well and had a lot of fun. It's always great to see people progress so quickly and learn so much in the tunnel. The Female Freefly Fest on Saturday brought lots of spectators and an incredibly good vibe to the tunnel. Everyone had a great time watching the girls do their thing and play with barbie. I also had a lot of fun flying with everyone and shooting video. I'm really happy to have been a part of this once again and look forward to next year

I was told that an Optimum 126 would be too tight for a 304, especially with a Cypres. I'm getting an Optimum 113. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

The most jumps I've done in a day (packing for myself) was 22 and every one of them was fun

I can't wait to get up to fly in there. I'm excited about the staff too, it'll be like and old school SVO reunion

What?!?!? I don't believe you Congratulations Ray! Best of luck with it

I use Brighthouse for cable/internet and, strangely enough, I haven't had many problems with them. The problems I have had were resolved quickly as well. I've had many more problems with my phone (BellSouth/at&t). I'd use BH for phone too, but I like having a land line instead of internet phone so I can use it during power outages. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

That's so cool!!!

ZHills, DeLand and Sebastian are all great dropzones; visit all three if you can. DeLand will probably be putting up the most loads during the week. During the week days, you probably won't find a lot of other fun jumpers to jump with at any of the dropzones. Sebastian is closed on Tuesdays during the summer months but flies loads the other 6 days. If you're planning on going there during the week, I'd suggest calling them to find out when they have tandems/AFF scheduled. Generally during the week they'll fly loads from about 9-2 or 3, but not back to back. Weekends there are very busy and there are almost always load organizers for RW and freefly. It's a really fun dropzone and you'll have no problem finding people to jump with on weekends. They also usually do beach jumps on weekends. DeLand usually flies loads every day. I find it to be a very friendly dropzone, it just takes a little more effort to go up to people and talk to them rather than expecting people to come up to you. Weekends usually have a lot of fun jumpers, but I don't know if there is anyone organizing there right now. ZHills is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I'm not sure how busy it is the other days during the week, but weekends are always busy and a lot of fun there. I think there are organizers there as well. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Do you have any more information about the tunnel itself? What kind of tunnel, how big, how powerful? Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

As many of the intructors and experienced people have already said, definitely do the tunnel time. It will help you with body position, freefall skills and overall confidence; all of that together generally makes for much more successful AFF. Have fun!

Kids fall much slower. At 9 years old, unless you or he have lots of tunnel time and have a very large fallrate range, chances are you will not be able to fly together unassisted. If it is his first time in the tunnel, he will probably not be able to arch enough to stay down with you at higher wind speeds and you wouldn't want to put weights on him. You'd have to talk to the tunnel instructor who will be in the chamber with you. If the instructor feels comfortable, then he could hold onto your cousin and turn the wind speed up to a point where you would be able to fly. Good luck, have fun and post pictures!

Tim Wagner wrote this on his Omnibits page: http://www.omniskore.com/comp/2007/usnats/tim070910.asp Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com