Hey guys. I'm just....writing up an account of my experience skydiving.
I did two tandems -- first one was June of last year (birthday -- whoo!), second one was a week or two ago. I started my S/L on Wednesday. Three jumps total that day and...I was still on step one -- I couldn't get the arch position. I had a blast under canopy, but...
Thursday -- six jumps today. Jump 4 was like the first three, but my jumpmaster Will (who seriously rocks) was willing to let me try practice pulls. Jump 6...Bill Dause flew the Cessna. I wasn't certain whether or not I arched right. But...I did. :O Woo! Hit freefall at Jump....8, as I recall. Did my 5 second right after.
Friday -- four jumps. 10 second went fine. 15 second...had trouble with awareness. Then my first jump out of an Otter. And my second. And.....owwwwwww. The stability wasn't so much a problem. I had NO altitude awareness -- the second time....(granted, I was exhausted, but...) I think I looked at my altimeter...once, maybe twice. And I never really _saw_ it. That, plus my instability, plus my difficulties with arching, plus.....etc....etc....
So Bill Dause, Will and I talked. Bill was concerned -- he had tried to warn me off before I started because he felt I was wanted to skydive for the wrong reasons. Maybe I was...but I do feel he saw my personality correctly. And that's really what it's about at this stage of the game, for me.
I was concerned about my altitude awareness. I feel, absolutely, that unless I have that, I should NOT jump. I don't want to risk anything -- nor do I want to risk running into someone else with my instability.
So I'm self-grounded for right now. Some CRW Dawgs are recommending tandems, but my partner Marcie is suggesting time. And I think time is just what's going to have to happen. I'm only 20, after all.
But I had a WONDERFUL time in the sky, especially under canopy. Better yet, I'm staying here in the community -- I'm going to become more active in the ways I can -- running errands, learning to pack then packing....and so on. Maybe one day I'll get in the sky again....even if it's only for a tandem.
I want to...just...thank you. Bill Dause's DZ is wonderful. :) And even if I'm not in the sky, the 13 jumps were still a wonderful (900% positive) experience that helped me in learning more about myself.
So...Thank You. and Happy Flying!! ~Mira