skysmurf2

fair enough but thats different - my friends have to threaten to text a guy for me until i do it myself and if i reeeaallllyyy like a guy i make make sure with my friends that what i want to say isn't too dorky! But thats not playing games - playing games is messing (at least to me) with a person's mind - its not being honest and in fact its purposely being dishonest just to keep them guessing in the mistaken belief that playing such games creates allure. Chatting with your girlies (or guy friends) about a date or a guy you like or asking their opinion on your outfit or even getting them to press the send button on a text to say thank you for a lovely date (not me i swear ) isn't playing games - its simply chatting with your friends!

I'm 21 and a girl - and while I do sit and gossip with my friends and we do know some of what goes on in our love lives. I do not play games. I would never date a guy I didn't respect enough that I could play games with him- its needless, cruel, and usually someone gets hurt. Equally I wouldn't (and haven't) date(d) the kind of guy that would play games with me. Doesn't mean I don't like playing games though - board games that is.

My 11th jump. Second freefall from about 4500 ft and I had a baglock. Cutaway and deployed reserve - made me realise that anything can happen at anytime - subsequent jumps have only reinforced that. It made me realise that I should always be prepared to cope with the unexpected and that the unexpected can and will happen - its a lesson I wish I knew better - but I am learning (or atleast trying to). A constant thought in my head since that jump is that "I wish i was better at this" -however, experience and wisdom are not barriers to death or injury and the more I understand this the more mortal I feel. Best wishes and safe skies

yeah they 'tag along' on our trip.... sorry shameless plug for bristol uni - anyways obviously lots of unis in the UK that skydive!!! hope you are still interested in skydiving, i wouldn't pick your uni based on it, but if you want to go to a uni that also has a skydiving society it is the best way to begin an involvement with the sport!

Gap, France. Its absolutely stunning.

Trying hard to do anything but classwork so here's my 0.02: Why not date a whuffo? Have you dated a skydiver and realised OMG they understand me sooooo much better than anyone else ever has? I'm guessing you dated non-skydiving boys before you became a skydiver and were the same person then as you are now, except now you have realised that dream of jumping. I do agree with what that man said - you still only have a few jumps (so do I - so I feel okay to comment) its not yet your 'life' as you proved by saying you are involved in many other activities (which is awesome). Why would a snowboarder or paraglider or diver or non-extreme guy not understand that you enjoy jumping just because they don't? And unless you date a skydiver at the same or near the same level as you, they will view your skydiving as different to theirs - just like we might view students with 2 jumps as different, someone who jumps competitvely or is an instructor will view your understanding and experience of skydiving as different, so the immediate understanding that you might be expecting doesn't necessarily exist. Right now isn't it so much more about jumping and progressing then who you are dating. Also if you date someone at your DZ and breakup (life could get *interesting*), and then just to throw it out - skydiving is a smallish community what happens if you fall for his friend? If you limit yourself to skydivers its going to happen - why not date whomever as long as they treat you well, respect your choice to skydive, and oh yeah... are hot

2 in 40. Baglock on my 11th - was my 2nd freefall on RAPS progression. Second reserve ride: nothing wrong with my main, I just couldn't get the handle!

I'm just starting out in the sport, but I am already so in love with it. Its not so much the rush of getting out the door, that doesn't really exist for me anymore. Although every new thing I get to try gives me a rush.Instead I find its more the feeling that as soon as I exit the plane everything falls into place; it just makes sense. Its also a challenge, what I am most looking forward to and why I want to keep jumping is there is so much to learn, experience, and find out about in this sport. I can't wait to learn as much as I can as I progress in the sport. Also there are many variables to each jump, so no experience will ever be the same. Plus it sounds damn cool and impreses all the boys edit: for spelling and clarity

There will be lots of people at Nethers this weeked - and Saturday night there will be a party - I would suggest checking Nethers out this coming weekend as it will be doing what it does best - partying hard. And, it will be a great way to meet people. p.s. Hey Eugene - you guys doing the accuracy thing? hehehe, bring it on. See you this weekend!

hi! Bristol uni skydives at Nethers, UWE skydive at Nethers and other DZs. Even though South Cerney is closer. If you would like some info on skydiving while at Uni feel free to PM me or visit us (Bristol Uni. Skydiving) in the White Hart on Tuesdays and feel free to ask away. We are all lovely friendly ppl! hee! good luck with it all

The book I have read was the Parachute and the Pilot (Brian Germaine) - great book, but much of the text refers to things that are FAR beyond my level of skill and understanding. Have just purchased the Parachuter's Handbook (hopefully that will be like a newbie version of the Pilot and the Canopy) and next time I am at the DZ I might ask to flip through the manuals in the riggers' room. Other than that - as long as I can keep getting up after every jump and so can everyone else around me...

I know the best way to learn about the sport is to jump and to speak to riggers, instructors, and people at the dropzone. I feel lucky that my DZ is very friendly and there are more experienced people who will answer my questions whenever I can come up with them. I am also friends with people who have many more jumps and for whom skydiving is life, so I get to hear them talk and pick a bit more than I would as a newly qualified (and complete newbie). However, as I am a complete newbie (less than 50 jumps) I don't always know what questions to ask, and I feel that within this sport, this could one day make a very big difference. If anyone could recommend books to read which could help me figure out the type of questions I need to be asking to stay safe I would really appreciate it. I have read one book - but most of it (almost all) was too advanced to really help me understand. Thank you.

Hi, I am in exactly the same place as you. The jumps are no longer thrilling - instead I find it quite relaxing. However, am not willing to pay quite so much merely to relax. The thing is though, if like me, you're doing solos and aren't really pushing yourself then its bound to have lost the adrenalin factor. However, as soon as I get back from holiday I will be trying loads of new stuff and beginning my FS coaching. Thats when I assume the thrills will come (again) when I try something new. And, thankfully still being beginners there are tons of new things we will be able to try as we progress. p.s. where do u jump, as in the UK (i think) you need at least 500 jumps to wingsuit. thats a lot of jumps before you get where you want to go. (edited: to clarify: I meant I am in the same place mentally - but yeah in the lead up to and after my A license the jumping itself didn't make me buzz. BUT when you get yours the first completely solo jump is a bit of a rush. plus getting your license ROCKS!!!) :-)

Hi. Would you regret more never jumping again or having a few hard landings? My first 10 landings absolutely sucked, I was lucky not to break any bones. I did not even sprain anything. But I scared myself and the DZ. What is worse is that I am sure that worse stuff will happen. Hard landings, hard openings, a knee in the face, etc. What is amazing about this sport (to me) is that I look forward to it all.... every jump is only going to make me learn more. Listen to the advice of people here, and listen to your DZ. Your instructors (and a rigger) can help you sort it out. Besides, I really don't think being artistic/creative/right brained has anything thing to do with it. Being scared is fine, up to a point its safe. But look around, all sorts of people skydive, not just the scientific types. If you love jumping try to work the landing issue out - if nothing else you can always wear some padding!!! I have very few jumps so all I should really say is that it is scary but if you love it - its worth it.