repcool

See if this site helps you any. It is my mate Dwight's, Handi-Capable. I met him at a MOAB boogie and the guy truly considers his leg to of been a blessing. The timing might not be right but its good to read, it is a story that should motivate us all: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=210027693

That is some interesting perspective and history. My IRM just came so I have some reading to do! Pretty soon the ski season will be over here and it will be time to change gears again.

I spend a few seasons recently as a Ski Instructor, certified no less. It did so much good for my skiing I ordered the material to become a Coach from USPA with the theory that it will do the same for my jumping. I can't help but see many parallels between the two. Movement analysis, personal motivations, cost, equipment, gravity, lessons vs practice, teaching ability vs knowledge, etc etc. I so often wish that a Skier couldn't get on a lift without being certified for the return trip downhill. I also wish skiers could have honest debate about incidents the way they are held here. I fear that the $ factor behind corporate resorts would not favor that. Any thoughts? Wish my luck on the coach rating!

Anybody else addicted to xbox COD4?

Thanks for sharing, I read some interesting discussion. As far as dark goggles go, I can't help thinking it is probably fine to jump with them and if you get in a struggle, maybe pull the down out the way or toss them. Eject-a-Goggle.

We teach loads of kids in skiing and there are lots of really interesting things I have picked up about child development from that. For examples to move their legs they have to move their arms at first, interesting. Their are plenty of adults that still run issue too...it isn't a bad thing, just means find a coach with experience with kids. You can use that knowledge to your advantage. They also seem to say the magic age for understanding actions is 5, before that it is just being to the environment. Thats a good reason to get the kiddies into a tunnel, or the snow, it just isn't cool to have high expectations, not beyond having fun!

oh wow, those photos are awesome, did you take them? The yaks look like something from Star Wars!

Put a NATIVE bumper sticker on your car before you get here and you will be just fine.... I never saw that sticker in any other state or country...odd..

The dz is actually around 12,500...but still figure if it is even unusually hot then 15,000ft. Luckily someone figured out that was an issue and the canopies will be the size of tandems. :-) I get to train where the density in the summer is around 8000 as well...so that helps.

I quit for 8 years to fly, ski, scuba...then one day it crept up on me again and I couldn't afford my airplane anymore.

Howdy, Did anyone in these parts commit to the Skydive Everest trip? I put my money down at the end of the last year and am not getting serious about the training and lead up to it all. If you are going and want to share then shout out this way. Thanks, Simon www.SkydiveEverest.com

Oh great, I live in Breck too. Thanks

I am really interested in going for this, I am talking to the folks about it tomorrow. I always wanted to go to Everest as well, so this seems like a good excuse. Anyone from Colorado interested?

Ah, that link rocks. I learned to jump in Houston before moving to Denver and had to get used to some very different dynamics. Cool. I wondered what the license req's are for the trip and if they line up with what they *should* be.

I had my nail (rod) out 3 months ago and have been jumping just fine. The original injury from from Snowboarding. I developed a bad habit whilst I had the nail in my leg, I always favored my right leg, even in a PLF. That bit me last weeked and I fractured my right fibula! It is really quite minor, I will am already walking and will be skiing this season. It is kind of funny really in comparison to the femur but it goes to show what happens if you don't keep things balanced!

Just remember that the tunnel is a controlled envionment. I used it many times when I have had injuries. Please don't underestimate opening and the stresses it puts on your body. Try and find some exercise that will be similar to be sure your body can handle the G's/Impact so that you can be in control. The tunnel will help you fly, but at the end of the day you have to land.

You can pull he manufacturer manuals off the web if you want an idea of how a canopy is packed. The best way to learn the moving parts of anything in my opinion is to get your hands on them. Take a First Jump Course and you will get to see the workings of rig. Stick around and you can watch the packers put them back together. Or even just go to the DZ and drop at hint at what you are after. Many folks are very proud of their packing and always willing to share. Packing is something that I didn't take to as well as some other. I struggle to get my sleepingbag back into it's stuff sack! It is ok to be getting a pack job whilst you are busy learning to fly, land and graduate. My theory was that I was learning enough and would put off the packing to when my mind was less busy. I packed enough to prove I could and now I find myself in the position that my entire weekend will be spent packing...and repacking. I am grounded from a leg injury so its packing time! Just what worked for me. I swear some folks a naturals at it.

The tunnel made all the difference for me getting past AFF V. I made it to level V twice in a 10 year period before starting over again and going to the tunnel after AFF I. I had no leg awareness at all but after being coached by my AFF I instructor in the tunnel for a total of 10 minutes I banged out the rest of the levels with a new found confidence. I have my original logbook still and when I started you only needed 20 jumps for A. 10 years later and I just sent in the paperwork for my B...no rush.

Well, I had 4 screws and a 15 inch-ish nail removed. The nail turns out to of been a tad bent and probably responsible for the pain over the last few years. So far I am blown away at how well the recovery is going. I have a feeling I am going to regret not having done this berfore...2 days of sofa and TV seem to be part of the perscription to recovery. Thanks for everyones input.

I noticed a fella with no slack on their handle a few weeks ago and thought maybe you need a few inches to get the 'movement' going before the cable engages?

Back up yet? Hope it went well. I have mine set for August 9th.

Thanks for sharing. I put it off for long enough...I go under the knife Aug 9th! It seems even just doing the screws cuts through enough muscle to justify getting the nail out.

I got myself a femur nail (rod) just over 5 years ago from a Snowboard wreck. I still have the screws and nail and it has been giving me some pain recently. I have been jumping, running, biking, skiing, etc for over 4 years now and don't fancy much downtime. I think there are a few folk out there that might have some advice on this one.

One similar issues is the need to keep your gear up and check it, check it, check it. I like to make time for both of them really...

Live life! I was told not to jump because of some metal but I figure anything from a car wreck to tripping on the stairs could nail me. Bear Grylls broke his back like that and still jumps plenty, he is the dude on Man Vs Wild. Just don't tell them, it's you that will have to live with the side effects.