nlvp

Well the deed is done. It was a huge amount of fun, but at the same time, I don't feel like I really managed to appreciate the experience at the time. In my head was the litany I'd been practicing all day, the sequence of events as they had to happen, so rather than thinking, "wow, what a view", I was thinking, "horizon, altitude, secondary, primary, arch, reach, recover ... etc". It only really slowed down once I was under the canopy. I'm told it's fairly normal, and if I want to enjoy the freefall I should persevere or just do a tandem. The level went like clockwork, with the gentlest landing I could have wanted, but I was so focused on what they'd told me that if there was an adrenaline rush, I was too focused to notice. On the video I look like I'm concentrating so hard I'm about to explode. Thinking about L2/L3 next weekend, if I can rustle up the cash, but hoping the sense that it was all over so fast passes quickly so I can start enjoying the freefall a bit more at the time, rather than with hindsight. Also need to learn to land a bit closer to manifest. That was a really, really, long walk. That airfield (Weston) is huge.

I'm stuck in the office today too - and every weekday. Counting the days to the jump (19 left). How can you be addicted to a sport you haven't tried yet Ever since the tunnel flying, I want the real thing.

Hey - Thanks for the encouragement. I'm really looking forward to it - I'll let you know how it goes. After that, assuming I choose to do AFF all the way, it becomes a question of the best place to go do it - I'm jumping at Weston for AFF L1, which is conveniently close to London, but it you guys think there's some good advice you can give on the friendliest places to jump, I'd be grateful. Cheers. N.

Originally, it was just for charity. I figured the best way to raise funds would be to do AFF L1 rather than a tandem, because it seems more impressive or dangerous when you describe it to people who know nothing about it and that seems to get them to sponsor a bit more freely (go figure). Then a colleague at work who used to skydive said I ought to spend a little time in a wind tunnel because it would reduce the complete shock at the beginning of the jump and help me enjoy myself more. So I booked 12.5 minutes at Bodyflight Bedford. The "starter course". Last Sunday. What really struck me was how nice everyone was. From the people at reception to the instructor (Dave), and the other skydivers who were just there to practice. Pretty soon I was really enjoying myself and I hadn't even been in the tunnel yet. So a complete beginner doesn't get very far in the first 12 minutes, but after a few brief sessions in the wind tunnel, I was pretty stable. I got tired at the end and started to curl my legs too much and flatten out too much, hence some minor but embarrassing bruises on one knee as I backslid into the wall a few times in a row. But now I'm wondering if, once I've done level 1, I'm not going to find it so much fun that I'll want to do the rest. You can play spot-the-complete-incompetent-novice over here : http://straws.dyndns.org/?p=11. Please keep your mockery under control . One of the staff took pictures for me - how friendly is that? So if it's as addictive as it seems to be, I guess maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll be spending some more time with some very cool people. Everyone who sponsors me tells me I'm bonkers and I must be scared witless. Truth is, I'm really excited and looking forward to it. I jump on 22nd July, training's on the 21st.