pjchis

Hm... who is going to be posting those pictures? Oh yeah, me! The tunnel is beautiful guys. Absolutely stunning, so if you haven't dropped by DO IT. Pictures, drawings etc. just don't do justice... it's like a monument of awesomeness (for lack of better words). Look forward to meeting all of you guys coming to the tunnel! I'll be behind the counter opening weekend and I'm as anxious/excited/giddy as all of you, I can barely wait! So check out the pics.

Aw c'mon! The plane ride up is half the fun!

Can you clarify what you mean by on the decline? I always felt the sport is evolving and becoming more accessible due to continual technological and design advancements. So do you mean there are fewer people getting into the sport? And if so, where'd you get those numbers? Also, it's my belief tandem skydives are the majority of income for DZs but PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong. From my experiences that seems to be the case.

Romantic relationships in any situation cloud human judgement. Now in an unforgiving sport like skydiving, that's a conflict of roles and interests that could result in a fatality. Using the example of Shayna and her sensationalized "failed main" story that's been in what seems like every paper and every news channel from here to the moon, it makes you wonder how responsible the instructor/boyfriend dynamic was for her poor decision-making that day. So expanding on this idea, what about two jumpers that meet at a dropzone and start dating? Or a boy/girl getting their significant other into the sport? Any danger or conflict of interest there or is it only the teacher/student roles that cause the problems?

I would like to order the new BASE video talked about in your recent post. Can I send paypal as payment?

Ugh, whuffos are crazy! Look, definitely take the plunge, you'll love it. It can happen but it's rare. Check out Taupo Tandem Skydiving (TTS), here is their website: http://www.skydive.net.nz/ Watch out for Liam, he's ALWAYS on the beer board for something unlucky, and if you are jumping with Freddy... well.... just breathe deeply. And make sure you tell Yuko and the office girls I said hello!

Like skykittykate I went through my AFF in New Zealand. Be careful about a few differences in terms, (I had never heard of PLF until recently!!!!) and expect to maybe make one or two "review" training jumps. More practice never hurt anyone!

Nothing to see through. I was just trying to help a friend out, but I can understand everybody's concern. That's why I'm going to let him know to get on dropzone.com himself and post this. His name is Roger and works at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with me. I figure it wasn't a big deal and I was just doing him a favor... but you guys are making me paranoid and I'm going to ask him about it (and get the details) on Friday! Fair 'nuff? I don't want to get involved in his business.

Thanks tombuch!

Hm, you guys are right. I thought he was just too lazy to get on this site, but maybe he's doing something suspicious. Wonder how I can remove this thread...

Hey now! It doesn't get much better than sushi.... yummmm.

You guys are so helpful!!!

Mr. Mullins, I'm so pleased you read my post and you'll be seeing me fairly soon. Your plane is incredible by the way, 750 hp?? That makes the little 180 hp Cessna I fly seem like a toy. I can't believe after doing all my own research for months all I had to do was post and the answer presents itself. I'm totally buying a dropzone.com shirt just to say thanks!

Seriously?? Are you an instructor there? I'm really excited about this, Tennessee might be my new vacation spot of choice!

Between us, I have BASE jumped. I hope to pursue the sport further after I get more skydiving experience. As for why? Honestly, an experienced BASE friend of mine asked me to post this, he's going to be doing the writing. He just wanted help finding some stories. Not sure if he is going to go through with it cause he's got a lot on his plate career wise, but he has been published.

My skydive instructor Mundy trained this 200+ pound skydiver who had a hard opening on one of her later AFF jumps (five or six?) but her weight combined with opening shock caused her main to basically... pop like a balloon! Her reserve opened fine so it's ok to laugh about it. Now here's the cool part: she took the shreaded bits of parachute material, and sewed a dress that she wore to a holiday party later that week! Apparantly she was very talented with making clothes and it looked awesome! No pic... but she's still the talk of TTS.

Ah... already checked out their website. They have 16 for a tandem but don't list any specifics for their AFF. Hmmmm... I'll be calling them this week!! Thanks man! That was a fast reply, so what the heck ARE you doing online browsing skydiving forums at two in the morning? At least, that's what it its here.

Alright guys, I've looked through all (or most) of the posts on here about legal skydiving age. I'm in the same problem as a lot of people, live in Colorado, started jumping in NZ at 11, completed my AFF and got certified at 16 (also in NZ,) but no one in the US will let me jump. I wanna continue my training without flying overseas. I realize the USPA has the GUIDELINE of 16 with parental consent, but I can't find a single DZ that will let me jump! I have begged, and pleaded, and offered to right up contracts saying myself nor my parents will not sue the DZ, etc. but to no avail. I need to jump!!! So if ANYBODY knows of any DZs that lets us minors jump, give me the link! I travel a lot so it's not a big deal, and anywhere in the US is more accessible than NZ! Anyone in these forums own a DZ that they'll let me jump at?? I'm tired of reading these posts about all these dropzones that let 16 year-olds jump, but where are they?? I can't wait one and a half years! Fortunately I almost have my private pilot license to keep me occupied but remember what they say... ...if sitting in a plane is "flying" than sitting in a boat is swimming. And I wanna fly!

Does anyone know if they are still hiring? I sent in resume, cover letter, application, and would sell my soul to be a tunnel instructor at SkyVenture Colorado! I'm sure the competition is tough but but but...

You guys are both right!

I am in the process of writing a BASE book. It's a simple thing really, not a guide to BASE jumping although it CAN offer some insight (or just plain reading material) for those in the sport or interested in the sport. It's basically a compilation of stories from various BASE jumpers from all walks of life. Each section (about the jumper) would include a quick biography/how they got into BASE, the story of their best jump, and their most frightening experience BASE jumping. This book is not written for or against BASE jumping but rather it's a tribute to this reality-defying sport and the best and most experienced members in it. If you are interested in submitting YOUR stories for the book, contact me at timetojump@mac.com with "BASE BOOK" in the heading. Please only e-mail me if you are serious about collaborating (this would involve an interview and permission to have your story published) and only if you are an experienced BASE jumper. (I realize the subjective nature of the word 'experienced' so let's call that 400+ BASE jumps.) Thank you for your time and safe jumping. Brett Chisholm timetojump@mac.com