samyueru

lol... just make sure he doesn't land on someone's car!!

yea, sorry, I have no idea what it's from! I just thought I recognized the symptom! Maybe it's from just breathing really deeply a lot during the day...

Is it kind of like that senation you get after swimming and holding your breath a lot? Like, when you breathe in it's this almost itchy weird sensation? -Alex

Yea, the scenery at jumptown is really beautiful! I'm hoping to jump at pepperell tomorrow - I've heard there's good scenery there, too!

I definately love the canopy ride almost more than the freefall... I think I got it from doin' static line! And, you can always go high if you want, just ask manifest to put you out last! Good luck on that solo!!

Very nice bro! I'm jealous!

yea, but I get to borrow gear while mine's coming in, so cheap jump incentive...

Wow, I just looked it up, and realized it's the closest dropzone to me! Only 36 miles! Always had it in my mind that providence was far away, haha. I guess in August when I get my gear, I'll have to come out and try jumping there! -Alex

Okay, so I'm about to order my first rig, and all this packing talk has got me thinking. Does the manual the comes with the new chute have a step by step guide to packing it? (so I can have some handy reference) I'd consider myself fairly ignorant to packing. I was real quickly taught how to do it, and I forget 90%. Obviously, I'm going to take a packing course...but should I take it now while I'm waiting for it, or do y'all think it'd be better spent once I get my chute so I can practice and practice and practice while it's still in my head? Thanks! -Alex

Thanks a lot for posting you're impressions! I'm looking to get a spectre myself, so that review was helpful. Seems like they're a well reviewed canopy form what I've heard from them. Does anyone have any negative comments about one? -Alex

Congrats!!! Lucky bastard!

Well..ideally the same cost if I can pay it within the year.

Thanks for all the good info! The thing about new gear that's really luring me is the 0 payments/0 interest for a year so I can have some time to pay it off before paying interest (that loans usually don't offer). I can't really afford to pay $2500 for used gear right now, but in a year I could definately pay $5,000) It seems like a huge thing about buying new gear at this time in the sport is how fast I'd outgrow my canopy. Got a few modifiers to this: What if I'm not planning on jumping that much during the year? Maybe a couple of jumps a weekend. Will I still outgrow a canopy really fast? What about buying a used canopy/new everything else? (since the canopy is the part I'd outgrow) I know I'm kind of arguing myself towards buying new gear for the allure of getting to pick everything out and customize it. But, at the same time, I _am_ wary about the $$ dent. Thanks guys!

I know people must be tired of stupid first rig questions..but I've come to rely on you guys. First off - I'm debating financing a full rig from mirage - they offer 1 year with no payments/interest and 10% off the cost. After that year, it's 1.5% monthly periodic rate/18% APR. Does that sound good? (i know there's a previous post on financing mirage, read it, still asking) I know people have mixed opinions on buying used gear vs. new gear. I'm still debating it myself. I like the comfort in knowing everything that happened to your gear throughout it's life, and everything about it's maintenence, etc, plus I like the ability to get what _I_ want. The downside, obviously, is this horrible cost I can't afford! Second..for someone who weighs only 135lbs, is getting a 150 spectre cutting it a little too close to poor wingloading? I know it's largely an issue of my ability, and not such a cut and dry question to answer over the internet. In Australia, where I did AFF, my instructor said a 150 would be fine. But here in the U.S., the atmosphere is much more on the conservative side. (although, since I have no coaches, no one is really watching me closely). I'm going to jump some 170's this summer so I can get the feeling, but I was hoping to get some people's view on that wingloading in general. Thanks for any input you guys can give me. I'm really excited about getting my own gear! -Alex

Is it possible to tie die a rig after you buy it? If so, what the heck is involved in that?? THANKS! -Alex

I just saw it this weekend. ABSOLUTELY amazing. It really allowed me to show my friends why I love skydiving. The visuals were nothing short of breathtaking. I sat through half the movie with a stupid grin on my face.

wow, thanks!

Being from the Northeast..excuse my ignorance on the subject. What exactly is a dust devil? (besides a mini tornado?) Wouldn't conditions leading up to a dust devil preclude jumping anyway? Alex

During my A license progression in Australia, my instructor was under canopy about 200 feet below me. Just as he was landing, a very strong gust of wind collapsed his canopy and blew/dragged him over an embankment, where he hit the mock up of the airplane. His helmet DEFINATELY saved him some hardcore trauma. That's the #1 reason I think I'll keep wearing a helmet.... -Alex

YES, it's worth it. As a NEWBIE to the sport, I'm constantly amazed at how worth it it is. I hadn't jumped for a couple of months, and I almost forgot how much I loved the feeling. The second I got out the door, it all came back to me, and my coach said I was grinning from ear to ear! As far as starting, I can only offer my opinion. I started with static line in Australia - it was a lot cheaper than the AFF option, because pretty much all your jumps are solos. And I think it's a LOT less to worry about on your first few jumps. (you don't have to worry about pull, staying stable, etc.) At the same time, it took a little bit longer to get comfortable with the free fall. But either way to do it....it's an addiction from your first jump. It's all I think about now!!! You've been warned. As far as your parents...good luck. My frown all the time whenever I mention it. CHEERS! -Alex

CONGRATS!!!!!

While I don't believe in forging log books, I can kind of see how people would. I haven't jumped since December because I'm not comfortable about jumping in cold weather yet. So, since it's nice out now, I'm going about becoming current. $100 for ground training, plus a coached jump IS expensive. In my case, it's definately NEEDED, with my very, very low experience. And if you're higher up there in jump numbers, I could see why people wouldn't want to pay that much for something they may feel unnecessary. Again, I'm not siding with forging - obviously safety and integrity are pretty important in the sport...I can just see where the idea would come from.

Unfortunately, I don't have my own rig yet....so it might take a while to learn. Hopefully not the hard way!

Cool - thanks for the links and the tips everyone!

I was in West Palm in december and jumped out at Skydive Sobe. I don't remember the price, but everyone there was really nice and I got to do my first otter jump. And it has a BEAUTIFUL view of Lake Okeechobe (sp?)